US Airline Carry-On Size Guide

What size carry-on bag is allowed on US airlines? There is no single US rule. Each airline sets its own limits. Among the airlines checked for this guide, the standard carry-on limit is 22 x 14 x 9 inches (about 56 x 36 x 23 cm) at American, Delta and JetBlue, and 24 x 16 x 10 inches (about 61 x 41 x 25 cm) at Frontier. Personal items are much smaller. This guide was written from airline pages read on 5 November 2026, so always re-check your own airline before you fly.

Carry-on size limits for US airlines

The table below only includes airlines whose official pages could be read for this guide. Sizes are length x width x height and include wheels and handles, as the airlines state.

Airline	Carry-on bag	Personal item	Weight limit	Fare notes
American	22 x 14 x 9 in (56 x 36 x 23 cm), including handles and wheels; must fit the airport sizer	18 x 14 x 8 in (45 x 35 x 20 cm)	Not covered here; check the page	Check your fare on American’s page
Delta	22 x 14 x 9 in (56 x 35 x 23 cm); 45 linear in (114 cm) total	No set size; must fit under the seat in front	None stated on the page	Delta Connection flights with 50 seats or fewer: personal items only onboard; larger bags are gate-checked free
JetBlue	22 x 14 x 9 in (55.88 x 35.56 x 22.86 cm)	17 x 13 x 8 in (43.2 x 33 x 20.32 cm)	No weight limit	Page says all fares include one carry-on and one personal item
Frontier	24 x 16 x 10 in (about 61 x 41 x 25 cm)	18 x 14 x 8 in (about 46 x 36 x 20 cm)	35 lb (about 16 kg) for each	Personal item is free on every fare; the carry-on is not included on every fare and can be added or comes with certain bundles
Southwest	24 x 16 x 10 in as printed ("10 x 16 x 24", units not shown on that page)	No size given; must fit under a seat	None stated on the page	Carry-on and personal item are free on every fare type, including Basic

United, Alaska and Spirit are not in the table. Their official pages could not be opened for this guide, and numbers from third-party sites were not used. Check those airlines directly.

Notes on what the pages say

Delta says handles and wheels count toward the measurements, and small musical instruments that fit are exempt from the size limits.
Delta does not give a personal item size, only that it must fit under the seat. A purse, small backpack or laptop bag is given as an example.
Frontier says its personal item size is checked at boarding and oversized items can cost extra. If overhead space runs out, a carry-on can be gate-checked at no cost.
JetBlue says it has no carry-on weight limit but suggests making sure you can lift the bag into the bin yourself.
Southwest’s fee page lists the carry-on and personal item as free on all fares. Its page prints the carry-on size without units, so confirm on the airline’s baggage policy page.

Why the rules differ so much

Airlines choose their own bag rules, and low-cost carriers often separate the fare from the bag. Frontier is a clear example: a free personal item, with the carry-on sold separately on many fares. Delta shows another variation, where small regional Delta Connection aircraft allow only a personal item inside the cabin. The same trip can have different rules on each leg, and JetBlue notes that on trips with a partner airline, the first airline of each direction sets the bag rules. If you are comparing fares, read our guide on searching budget carriers one way at a time, and remember that a cheap fare can lose its advantage once a bag is added. Our flight deals page is a place to start comparing.

Bag allowances can also differ on international flights and by fare type, so a bag that works on a domestic trip may not work on a connecting flight. Check each airline on your itinerary rather than assuming one set of limits.

How to choose a carry-on bag

Measure the whole bag, not just the shell

Airlines in the table count wheels and handles. A suitcase marketed as 22 inches can be taller once wheels and the handle housing are included. Measure from the floor to the top of the bag, and measure the depth at the widest point, including side pockets and bulging zips.

Expandable zips

An expandable bag can be a smart way to bring home extra items, but it must be zipped back to its smaller size at the airport. A bag that only fits when unexpanded is a risk if you rely on the extra space on the way home. Choose by the unexpanded size and treat expansion as a bonus.

Hard shell or soft shell

Hard shell: keeps its shape, so it is less likely to bulge past a sizer. It usually has no external pockets and can be less forgiving when packed full.
Soft shell: has give, so it can squeeze into a tight bin or sizer, and external pockets are handy. Overstuffed pockets can push it over the limit.
Neither type is better for every trip. The right choice depends on how strictly your airline checks sizes and how you pack.

Spinner or two wheels

Four spinner wheels: roll beside you and turn easily down aisles, but they protrude more, which can add to the height.
Two wheels: usually more compact and sit lower, but you tilt and pull the bag.

Check the empty weight

Only some airlines state carry-on weight limits. Frontier gives 35 lb for the carry-on and the personal item, while JetBlue says it has no limit. A heavy empty bag uses up allowance before you pack and is harder to lift into a bin. If your airline has a weight cap, a lighter bag leaves more room for your belongings. Lift it with your clothes in before you travel.

Think about the personal item too

On fares with no carry-on, the personal item is all you get. A backpack close to the limit, such as JetBlue’s 17 x 13 x 8 inches or Frontier’s 18 x 14 x 8 inches, makes a big difference. Keep power banks and spare batteries in the cabin as the rules require, and see our power bank and flight rules guide before packing them.

What to do now

Open the official baggage page for each airline on your trip and note the size, weight and fare rules.
Measure your bag with wheels and handles, then compare it with the smallest limit on your itinerary.
Check whether your fare includes a carry-on. If it does not, price the bag before you book.
Pack the bag at home and lift it. If you cannot lift it overhead, remove items.
Take a screenshot of the airline’s baggage page in case of a dispute at the gate.

FAQ

Do wheels and handles count in carry-on size?

Yes, on the airlines checked. American, Delta, JetBlue and Frontier all say the measurements include wheels and handles, and Frontier adds straps.

Is a personal item the same size at every airline?

No. JetBlue lists 17 x 13 x 8 inches, American 18 x 14 x 8 inches and Frontier lists 18 x 14 x 8 inches. Delta gives no set size and only says the item must fit under the seat in front.

What happens if my carry-on is too big?

It depends on the airline. Frontier says a carry-on can be gate-checked at no extra cost if overhead space runs out, but oversized personal items can be charged. Delta says larger bags on its small Delta Connection aircraft are gate-checked free. Check your airline’s own wording.

Bottom line

Among the airlines checked, 22 x 14 x 9 inches is the carry-on limit at American, Delta and JetBlue, and Frontier allows a larger 24 x 16 x 10 inches with a 35 lb cap. A bag that measures 22 x 14 x 9 inches including wheels fits within all of those, though you should still confirm your fare actually includes a carry-on. Rules change, so confirm on the airline’s page before you travel.

What Size Carry-On Bag Is Allowed on US Airlines?