UtilibyWritten by the Utiliby editorial team · Last updated October 17, 2026 · Rules and formulas reviewed October 2026
What this free carry-on size checker does
Few things are more stressful than wondering whether your bag will fit at the gate. A carry-on size checker answers it before you leave home. Enter the length, width and height of your bag in centimetres or inches, with its packed weight, and this free online tool compares it with the cabin baggage limits of 32 airlines and guidelines, tells you how many your bag meets and exactly how many centimetres you are over where it does not.
A visual compares your three dimensions with the limit, bar by bar, so you can see where to trim. A second tab looks up any airline's cabin bag, weight and personal item limits, and a third converts sizes between centimetres and inches and works out volume in litres. Quick presets fill common bag sizes. Print gives you a clean results list. Everything runs in your browser.
How to use the carry-on size checker
- Measure your bag at its largest, including wheels, handles and outside pockets.
- Enter length, width and height and choose centimetres or inches.
- Add the packed weight to check weight limits as well.
- Read the result. Each airline is marked Fits or No, with the amount you are over.
- Pick an airline to see the dimension-by-dimension comparison chart.
- Filter by region and download or print the results.
How the size check works
Airlines state the maximum height, width and depth of a cabin bag, but a bag can be turned any way in the sizer. The checker therefore sorts your three dimensions from longest to shortest, does the same with the airline's limit, and checks that each of your sides is no larger than the matching side of the limit. Some airlines state a total of length plus width plus height, which the tool adds up. Weight is compared separately when the airline states a limit. A typical trolley case of 55 x 40 x 20 cm and 8 kg fits many European airlines but is over the weight limit of some Gulf carriers and over the height of the 22 x 14 x 9 inch limit used in the United States.
| Standard | Centimetres | Inches | Litres (outer) |
|---|---|---|---|
| IATA guideline | 56 x 45 x 25 | 22 x 17.7 x 9.8 | 63 |
| US airlines (typical) | 56 x 36 x 23 | 22 x 14 x 9 | 46 |
| Lufthansa, Turkish | 55 x 40 x 23 | 21.7 x 15.7 x 9.1 | 51 |
| Ryanair priority | 55 x 40 x 20 | 21.7 x 15.7 x 7.9 | 44 |
| Ryanair free small bag | 40 x 20 x 25 | 15.7 x 7.9 x 9.8 | 20 |
Cabin bag, personal item and checked bag
Most airlines allow two pieces in the cabin: a cabin bag in the overhead locker and a smaller personal item under the seat in front. Budget airlines often include only the personal item in the cheapest fare. A checked bag travels in the hold, has a weight allowance of 15 to 32 kg depending on the airline and fare, and a larger size limit, often a total of 158 cm for length plus width plus height. Always read the baggage rules for your specific fare.
Tips to avoid gate problems
- Measure the full bag, not just the case, and include wheels and handles.
- Pack to the shape, because an overfilled soft bag bulges beyond its stated size.
- Keep to the weight limit, as bags may be weighed on strict airlines.
- Wear heavy items such as a coat or boots on the plane.
- Check connecting flights, since the strictest airline sets the limit for the trip.
- Buy the baggage online, which is cheaper than paying at the gate.
Choosing a bag that fits most airlines
A bag of about 54 x 36 x 23 cm and under 7 kg empty meets the sizes of most legacy and many low-cost airlines. If you travel with budget airlines in Europe, a soft backpack of about 40 x 20 x 25 cm fits the free personal item allowances. A bag around 55 x 40 x 20 cm fits the larger European limits. US airlines are the tightest on length, so check the inch limits if you are flying domestically.
Common carry-on sizing mistakes
- Trusting the label. A bag sold as carry-on may be bigger than a particular airline allows. Always measure.
- Measuring without wheels or handles. Airlines include them, and they can add several centimetres.
- Forgetting the personal item. On many airlines the personal item must fit under the seat, and on some low-cost carriers it is the only free bag.
- Overfilling a soft bag. A bag that bulges can fail a sizer even if the empty bag fits.
- Ignoring weight. A bag that fits may still be turned away for being over 7 or 8 kg on a strict airline.
- Assuming all airlines are alike. On a trip with several airlines, the smallest limit applies to every leg.
- Missing fare restrictions. Basic or light fares can exclude cabin bags, or cap them at a personal item.
- Not checking partner flights. A ticket sold by one airline but flown by another follows the operating airline's baggage rules in many cases.
Limits and privacy
Airline rules change, and the figures here are typical published economy limits that may not apply to your fare, route or aircraft, or to partner-operated flights. The tool cannot account for how a particular sizer or gate agent measures. Always confirm with the airline. Nothing you enter leaves your browser.
Related free tools
Use these free online tools together with this one:
- Plan what goes in the bag with the packing list generator.
- Decide when to reach the airport with the airport arrival time calculator.
- Check a connection is long enough with the layover time calculator.
- Check your rights after a delay with the EU261 compensation calculator.
- Shrink photos of your documents before you travel with the image resizer.
Frequently asked questions
What is the standard carry-on size?
There is no single global rule. The IATA recommended cabin size is 56 x 45 x 25 cm (22 x 18 x 10 inches), and many European airlines use about 55 x 40 x 20 or 23 cm. US airlines commonly use 22 x 14 x 9 inches.
Does the carry-on size include wheels and handles?
Yes, on most airlines. Measure the bag at its largest, from the bottom of the wheels to the top of the handle, and at its widest, including pockets.
How do I measure a carry-on bag?
Stand the bag upright and measure height from the floor including wheels to the top of the carry handle, then width and depth at the widest points, including outside pockets. Use a tape measure.
How does the checker compare my bag with the limit?
It sorts your three dimensions and the airline's three dimensions from longest to shortest and compares them in pairs. A bag fits if every pair is within the limit, so orientation does not matter.
Are the airline limits up to date?
They are typical published economy limits, but airlines change rules often. Treat the tool as a guide and confirm the current rule on your airline's site before you travel.
What is a personal item?
A smaller bag that fits under the seat in front of you, such as a handbag, laptop bag or small backpack. Some airlines allow one for free in addition to a cabin bag, while others charge for the cabin bag.
What is the weight limit for carry-on bags?
It varies. Many airlines allow 7 to 10 kg, some allow 12 kg or more, and several US airlines state no weight limit but require you to lift the bag into the bin yourself.
Why is the Ryanair or Spirit bag marked as paid?
These airlines include only a small personal item in the cheapest fare. The larger cabin bag is an add-on. The checker shows the size of the paid cabin bag and the personal item.
What does the linear total mean?
A few airlines, such as Singapore Airlines, limit the sum of length, width and height rather than each side. The tool adds your three dimensions and compares them with that total.
Can I squash a soft bag to make it fit?
Sometimes, but sizers and gate staff may not allow an overstuffed bag. Choose a bag that fits when full.
What happens if my bag is too big at the gate?
You can be asked to check the bag into the hold, usually for a fee that is higher at the gate than when booked online.
How many litres is a carry-on bag?
A 56 x 45 x 25 cm bag is about 63 litres of outer volume. Real packing capacity is lower because of the frame and wheels.
Does the checker include laptop bags and backpacks?
Yes, enter any bag. A backpack measured at its fullest can be compared with both the personal item and cabin bag limits.
Can I check my bag in inches?
Yes. Switch the size unit to inches and the tool converts to centimetres automatically, and shows both.
Which airlines are included?
32 entries including the IATA guideline, major US, Canadian, European, Middle Eastern, Asian and Oceanian airlines, and low-cost carriers.
Is my data stored or sent anywhere?
No. Everything runs in your browser and nothing is uploaded.
Is this carry-on size checker free?
Yes. It is free to use online with no sign-up.
Sources and further reading
- International Air Transport Association, Baggage information.
- Transportation Security Administration, What can I bring?
- European Commission, Air passenger rights.
- Federal Aviation Administration, Travelers.
Sources were consulted in October 2026. Standards and rules can change, so always check the official page for your situation.