Carry-on suitcase · 19.1 × 12.8 × 8.9 in (48.5 × 32.5 × 22.6 cm)
Fits 2.8 cm (1.1 in) to spare on the depth
Southwest Airlines carry-on and personal item size
Checked against Southwest Airlines' baggage page on 5 October 2026
Personal item (under the seat)
No size published
Carry-on (overhead bin)
24 × 16 × 10 in61 × 40.6 × 25.4 cm
Will your bag fit Southwest Airlines?
Personal item. Free on every fare. Goes under the seat in front (purse, briefcase, laptop case, backpack). Southwest publishes no personal-item dimensions.
Carry-on. Included on every fare listed below. Wheels and handles count. Goes in the overhead bin. Wheels, handles and attachments count. No weight limit stated. Included on all fares.
What each Southwest Airlines fare includes
| Fare | Personal item | Carry-on | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Basic | Included | Included | Carry-on and personal item allowed; checked bag fees apply. |
| Choice / Choice Preferred | Included | Included | Carry-on and personal item allowed; checked bag fees apply. |
| Choice Extra | Included | Included | Boarding group 1 for earlier bin access; two free checked bags. |
Will a standard carry-on fit Southwest Airlines?
The most common US carry-on size is 22 × 14 × 9 in (56 × 36 × 23 cm, wheels included). On Southwest Airlines it fits. The common European cabin size, 55 × 40 × 20 cm, is right at the limit.
Southwest Airlines' carry-on allowance holds about 63 litres. Only 13 of the 151 airlines we track have a bigger one, so most carry-on suitcases sold today will pass.
Bags that fit Southwest Airlines
We checked 1,046 bags with published sizes. Southwest Airlines gives no personal-item size, so we can only check the carry-on. 892 fit the carry-on size comfortably.
Carry-on
Carry-on suitcase · 21.9 × 15 × 9.1 in (55.6 × 38.1 × 23.1 cm)
Fits 2.3 cm (0.9 in) to spare on the depth
Carry-on suitcase · 22 × 14.4 × 9.1 in (55.9 × 36.6 × 23.1 cm)
Fits 2.3 cm (0.9 in) to spare on the depth
Carry-on suitcase · 22 × 14.4 × 9.1 in (55.9 × 36.6 × 23.1 cm)
Fits 2.3 cm (0.9 in) to spare on the depth
All bags that fit Southwest Airlines →
If your bag is too big at the gate
No gate fee published. Oversized or extra items should be checked at the ticket counter; bags gate-checked for space are returned at baggage claim. Power banks and spare batteries must be removed first. Source
Power banks on Southwest Airlines
Use on board is restricted. Power banks up to 100 Wh go in the cabin. Limit: 1 per passenger. Never in checked bags. One power bank per person from 20 Apr 2026, max 100 Wh. Not in overhead bin; store in personal item under seat. Must be visible (not in a bag) when in use; no charging it from in-seat power. (in force since 20 April 2026)
Work out your power bank's watt-hours · Power bank rules on every airline
Worth knowing
- Only one power bank per passenger since 20 April 2026.
- A power bank in use must be in plain sight, not inside a bag.
- Smart-bag batteries must be removed before the bag goes in the overhead bin.
- Pet carriers count as either your carry-on or your personal item.
- All Southwest flights now have assigned seats; Choice Extra boards in group 1.
Airlines with similar limits
- Frontier Airlines: 24 × 16 × 10 in
- Sun Country Airlines: 24 × 16 × 11 in
- Cayman Airways: 24 × 16 × 11 in
- Allegiant Air: 22 × 16 × 10 in
Southwest Airlines bag questions
What size is the Southwest Airlines personal item?
Southwest Airlines doesn't publish a personal-item size. Goes under the seat in front (purse, briefcase, laptop case, backpack). Southwest publishes no personal-item dimensions.
How big can a Southwest Airlines carry-on be?
Up to 24 × 16 × 10 in (61 × 40.6 × 25.4 cm). Wheels and handles count toward the size.
Which bags fit Southwest Airlines' limits?
Of the 1,046 bags we track, 892 fit the carry-on size. See the list.
Can I take a power bank on Southwest Airlines?
Yes, in your cabin bag only. Use on board is restricted. Power banks up to 100 Wh go in the cabin. Limit: 1 per passenger. Never in checked bags.
Sources. carry-on and personal item policy · lithium batteries / power banks page · gate-check article · fare bundles page. Rules checked 5 October 2026. Some details the airline doesn’t publish are marked as such above. Airline staff have the final say at the gate. Spotted a change? Tell us.
Will This Bag Fit is independent and not affiliated with Southwest Airlines.