WNChecked 21 Oct 2026 against support.southwest.com
Southwest Airlines carry-on size 2026
On Southwest Airlines’ cheapest fare (Basic) you can bring one free personal item up to a size the airline doesn’t publish. A carry-on bag up to 61 × 41 × 25 cm is included too.
Check my bag against Southwest Airlines- Free under-seat bag
- Included, size not publishedOn Basic
- Overhead cabin bag
- 61 × 41 × 25 cmIncluded on Basic
Check your bag against Southwest Airlines’ limits
Southwest Airlines carry-on and personal item by fare
What each ticket type includes, as published by Southwest Airlines.
| Fare | Under-seat bag | Cabin bag |
|---|---|---|
Basic
| Included Size not published Goes under the seat in front of you. Southwest publishes no size for it. | Included 61 × 41 × 25 cm Goes in the overhead bin. Published as 24 × 16 × 10 in (length × width × height), including wheels, handles and any attachments. |
Choice and Choice Preferred
| Included Size not published Goes under the seat in front of you. Southwest publishes no size for it. | Included 61 × 41 × 25 cm Goes in the overhead bin. Published as 24 × 16 × 10 in (length × width × height), including wheels, handles and any attachments. |
Choice Extra
| Included Size not published Goes under the seat in front of you. Southwest publishes no size for it. | Included 61 × 41 × 25 cm Goes in the overhead bin. Published as 24 × 16 × 10 in (length × width × height), including wheels, handles and any attachments. |
Southwest Airlines measures the whole bag, including wheels, handles and pockets.
If your bag is too big at the gate
If your bag is too big for the overhead bin, or you have more than one cabin bag or under-seat bag, check the extra items at the ticket counter before you go to the gate. If space runs out on board, bags can be gate-checked and collected at baggage claim.
It’s almost always cheaper to add the right bag when you book or online before you fly.
Other Southwest Airlines cabin rules worth knowing
- A cabin bag and an under-seat bag are free on every fare.
- A pet carrier counts as your cabin bag or your under-seat bag.
- Neck pillows do not count towards the cabin bag limit.
- Space on board is limited, so some cabin bags are gate-checked. Collect yours at baggage claim at your final destination.
- If your bag is gate-checked, take out e-cigarettes, power banks, smart bag batteries, spare batteries and lighters first.
- If your trip includes a partner airline, its cabin bag and under-seat bag rules may differ.
Also check before you fly Southwest Airlines
Power banks on Southwest Airlines
Spare batteries and power banks must go in your hand luggage, never in the hold.
Power-bank rules and Wh calculatorLiquids depend on the airport
The airline doesn’t set the liquids limit. The departure airport’s security does. Some now allow up to 2 litres.
Liquids rules by airportSouthwest Airlines cabin bag questions
What size carry-on bag can I take on Southwest Airlines?
Up to 61 × 41 × 25 cm. It’s included with Basic, Choice and Choice Preferred and Choice Extra.
Do Southwest Airlines’ size limits include wheels and handles?
Yes. The limits are for the whole bag, including wheels, handles and side pockets.
What happens if my bag is too big for Southwest Airlines?
If your bag is too big for the overhead bin, or you have more than one cabin bag or under-seat bag, check the extra items at the ticket counter before you go to the gate. If space runs out on board, bags can be gate-checked and collected at baggage claim.
What are the Southwest Airlines carry-on bag dimensions in inches?
Carry-on bag (61x41x25 cm): 24 × 16.1 × 9.8 in.
How many litres is the Southwest Airlines carry-on bag allowance?
At most 62.5 litres for the carry-on bag (61x41x25 cm). That is the volume of a square-cornered box with exactly those measurements. A real bag has rounded corners, so check the size on the label as well as the litres.
What are the liquids rules for Southwest Airlines hand luggage?
Southwest Airlines doesn’t set the liquids limit. The airport you fly from does: some airports still enforce 100 ml, while others now allow containers up to 2 litres. Check your departure airport on our liquids rules page.
Shopping for a bag? See cabin bag size in litres to turn centimetres into litres.
How Southwest Airlines compares
Free allowances on the cheapest fare of similar airlines.
| Airline · cheapest fare | Free under-seat bag | Overhead cabin bag | Details |
|---|---|---|---|
| Southwest AirlinesBasic | Under-seatIncluded · size not published | Cabin bag61 × 41 × 25 cm | |
| easyJetStandard | Under-seat45 × 36 × 20 cm · 15 kg | Cabin bagPaid add-on · 56 × 45 × 25 cm · 15 kg | |
| Jet2All Jet2.com flights | Under-seat40 × 30 × 20 cm | Cabin bag56 × 45 × 25 cm · 10 kg | |
| RyanairBasic | Under-seat40 × 30 × 20 cm | Cabin bagPaid add-on · 55 × 40 × 20 cm · 10 kg | |
| VuelingFly Light | Under-seat40 × 30 × 20 cm | Cabin bagPaid add-on · 55 × 40 × 20 cm · 10 kg |