TSA Carry-On Size: Limits And Restrictions (2024)

Whether you’re trying to avoid checked baggage fees, get a speedy headstart out of the airport or minimize the risk of misdirected luggage, carry-on baggage is the ticket. But before you start packing, familiarize yourself with the airline’s carry-on baggage rules and regulations to avoid delays and unexpected fees.

TSA Carry-On Size Limit

Surprisingly, the Transportation Security Administration or TSA has no regulations regarding the size or weight of carry-on baggage. Instead, it’s up to each airline to determine its own size and weight guidelines. How strictly those guidelines are enforced can vary greatly depending on any number of factors. Know airline’s carry-on baggage guidelines so you don’t risk any last-minute issues at check-in or the gate.

The Federal Aviation Administration requires that carry-on baggage be stored in a closed and latched storage compartment or under a passenger seat. If you’re flying on a smaller aircraft, it’s possible your carry-on bag won’t fit in the overhead compartment and so would need to be gate-checked.

There’s also a limited amount of storage space on an airplane, so if your flight is full, there’s a chance all space will be taken by the time you board. If that happens, your carry-on baggage will be gate-checked at no additional charge. Boarding earlier is an advantage because you’ll have a better chance of nabbing that coveted overhead compartment space.

What Is Carry-On Baggage?

There are two types of carry-on baggage: personal items and full-sized carry-on baggage.

Personal items should fit under the seat in front of you. Examples include laptop cases, purses, camera bags, diaper bags, small backpacks and duffels. Some airlines publish maximum dimensions for personal items.

Most domestic airlines specify 22 inches by 14 inches by 9 inches as the maximum size for carry-on baggage. There are some exceptions, as listed below in our airline-specific summary. Maximum dimensions include the wheels and handles of your bag, so factor those into your measurements. Some airlines also specify weight limits. You’ll find a baggage sizer in the check-in area if you want to test that your bag meets the standard.

Many airlines don’t count strollers, food purchased post-security, diaper bags and assistive devices (for example wheelchair, cane or crutches) as part of your carry-on allowance, so you may bring them onboard in addition to the stated carry-on limits. Check with your airline to verify exactly what items are counted in your allowance.

Since there’s always some chance that your carry-on baggage will be checked, label your bag (inside and out) and keep your valuables, passport, travel documents and medication in your personal item bag. Don’t risk losing them.

Airline Specific Carry-On Baggage Guidelines

We’re fortunate to have a broad range of flight options at different price points with multiple domestic airlines. However, cheaper fares (such as basic economy) often come with stringent carry-on baggage allowances and you may have to pay a fee for your full-size carry-on. Be sure to verify what carry-on baggage your fare allows at the time of purchase. It’s often cheaper to purchase an extra baggage allowance when you buy your ticket.

International carriers may have baggage guidelines that differ from those generally used in the United States and often include weight limits. For example, Icelandair’s maximum carry-on size is 21.6 inches by 15.7 inches by 7.8 inches, and a maximum weight of 22 pounds. Singapore Airlines states the total dimensions (length plus width plus height) of your carry-on bag must not exceed 45 inches, and carry-ons have a maximum weight of 15.4 pounds.

Below, we’ve summarized the maximum carry-on baggage sizes of many U.S. airlines. For further details, check the individual airline websites.

Alaska Airlines

Alaska Airlines allows one personal item and one carry-on at no charge on its flights.

• Personal item: No maximum dimensions stated but must fit under the seat in front of you
• Carry-on baggage: Maximum 22 inches by 14 inches by 9 inches—total of length plus width plus height must be less than 45 inches

Allegiant Airlines

One personal item is free, but fees apply to additional carry-on bags.

• Personal item: Maximum 18 inches by 14 inches by 8 inches
• Carry-on baggage: Maximum 22 inches by 16 inches by 10 inches

American Airlines

American Airlines allows a free carry-on bag and a personal item with all tickets, including basic economy.

• Personal item: Maximum 18 inches by 14 inches by 8 inches
• Carry-on baggage: Maximum 22 inches by 14 inches by 9 inches

Avelo Airlines

Avelo allows one free personal item but charges a fee for a carry-on bag.

• Personal item: Maximum 17 inches long by 13 inches high by 9 inches wide
• Carry-on baggage: Maximum 22 inches long by 14 inches wide by 9 inches high

Breeze Airways

All fare types include one free personal item but there’s a fee to add a carry-on.

• Personal item: Maximum 17 inches by 13 inches by 8 inches
• Carry-on baggage: Maximum 22 inches by 14 inches by 9 inches with a maximum weight of 35 pounds

Delta Air Lines

Delta permits one free personal item and one free carry-on bag for all fares.

• Personal item: No size specified, but it must fit under the seat in front of you
• Carry-on baggage: Maximum 22 inches long by 14 inches wide by 9 inches high, respectively—total length plus width plus height may not exceed 45 inches.

Frontier Airlines

A personal item is free with all fares, but there’s a charge for a carry-on. Frontier states that bags will be measured and weighed before boarding and bags that exceed the limits will incur a charge.

• Personal item: Maximum 18 inches wide by 14 inches tall by 8 inches long
• Carry-on baggage: Maximum 24 inches tall by 16 inches long by 10 inches wide, weight not to exceed 35 pounds

Hawaiian Airlines

Both a personal item and a carry-on bag are included in all Hawaiian fares.

• Personal item: No size requirement but must fit under the seat in front of you
• Carry-on baggage: Maximum 22 inches by 14 inches by 9 inches and 25 pounds

JetBlue Airways

JetBlue includes a personal item and a carry-on with all fares.

• Personal item: Maximum 17 inches long by 13 inches wide by 8 inches high
• Carry-on baggage: Maximum 22 inches long by 14 inches wide by 9 inches high

Southwest Airlines

Both a personal item and a carry-on bag are included in all Southwest Airlines fares.

• Personal item: No size requirement but must fit under the seat in front of you
• Carry-on baggage: Maximum 24 inches long by 16 inches wide by 10 inches high

Spirit Airlines

One personal item is included with your ticket, and depending on your fare type, you get a checked bag of up to 50 pounds with a carry-on included.

• Personal item: Maximum 18 inches by 14 inches by 8 inches
• Carry-on baggage: Maximum 22 inches by 18 inches by 10 inches

Sun Country Airlines

One personal item is free with Sun Country. Carry-on baggage (Sun Country refers to this as overhead baggage) incurs a fee.

• Personal item: Maximum 17 inches high by 13 inches wide by 9 inches deep
• Carry-on baggage: Maximum 24 inches high by 16 inches wide by 11 inches deep and 35 pounds

United Airlines

United allows a free personal item and a free carry-on for all fares except basic economy. Basic economy is limited to one free personal item. There are exceptions where a carry-on is included with a basic economy fare, such as trans-Pacific and trans-Atlantic flights. If you’re a United MileagePlus credit cardholder, you qualify for a free carry-on bag with basic economy fares if you purchase your ticket with the credit card.

• Personal item: Maximum 17 inches by 10 inches by 9 inches
• Carry-on baggage: Maximum 22 inches by 14 inches by 9 inches

How To Maximize Carry-On Size

If you’re traveling with only carry-on luggage, here are some strategies to maximize your packing space.

• Wear thick jackets, coats or sweaters onboard instead of packing them in your carry-on. Similarly, wear your bulkiest shoes or boots on the plane.
• Make good use of your personal item by choosing a daypack or tote that will hold more than a purse or a small laptop bag.
• Use compression packing cubes or travel vacuum bags to minimize the volume of your clothing. Small items such as socks and underwear can be rolled and nestled into small spaces between larger items or stuffed into shoes.
• The internal straps inside your suitcase can be used to compress the contents, keeping the bag’s depth within the maximum dimensions so it fits in the overhead compartment.
• Two-wheeled suitcases have more packing capacity due to their inset wheels, which gives them an advantage over four-wheeled cases.

Once you’re packed, make sure you can comfortably lift the bag over your head so you can easily store it in the overhead compartment. Dropping your bag on your seatmate’s head isn’t an ideal way to introduce yourself.

TSA Carry-On Restrictions

The TSA has several restrictions on what you can bring in your carry-on baggage. Avoid additional bag screening, confiscated items and delays by knowing what you can and can’t bring onboard.

Don’t forget that the TSA only has jurisdiction over U.S. airports. If you’re flying internationally, carry-on baggage restrictions may differ from those in the U.S. It’s always best to check with the local airport authority and airline to ensure you comply with their rules.

The 3-1-1 Liquids Rule

The 3-1-1 liquids rule limits carry-on liquids, gels and aerosols to a maximum of 3.4 ounces (or 100 ml) per container. All containers must fit inside a resealable quart-sized bag together, and one bag is permitted per person. In short, the 3-1-1 rule stands for 3 ounces, 1 bag, 1 person.

Any liquids in containers greater than 3.4 ounces or those that cannot fit into the quart-sized bag must be checked.

Exceptions to the rule include liquids that are medically necessary (in reasonable quantity), and infant or toddler milk, drinks and food, including purees. You’re also permitted to bring freezer packs or ice required to store your exempt liquids safely. If you carry any of these exceptions, you’ll have to declare it to the TSA officer when going through security.

Duty-free purchases made internationally are also exempt from the liquids rule if they’re in a secure, tamper-evident bag, you’re traveling to the U.S. with a connecting flight and you have the original receipt for the liquids, proving purchase within the last 48 hours.

Powder-Based Substances

If you’re traveling to the U.S. from an international location or traveling domestically, powders or any powder-like substances in a quantity over 12 ounces must be placed in a separate bin at security for additional screening. Examples are protein powder, ground coffee, flour and spices.

Restricted Items

To maintain in-flight safety, the TSA restricts what items can be brought into the cabin. Some items are prohibited in the cabin but may be transported in checked luggage. Many restricted items are instinctive, but there are some surprises on the official TSA restricted item list.

Here are some examples of some of the items allowed in checked luggage but not in a carry-on:

• Firearms and ammunition
• Axes and hatchets
• Knives, box cutters, razor blades (but personal razors are permitted)
• Hand tools, such as wrenches, hammers and saws over seven inches long
• Stun guns and tasers
• Pepper spray and mace
• Magic 8 ball and snowglobes containing over 3.4 ounces of liquid

Below are some items banned for air travel altogether:

• Flammable liquids, gels or aerosols
• Tear gas
• Pressurized containers such as CO2 cartridges, butane or propane tanks
• Fireworks and dynamite
• Alcohol beverages over 140 proof
• Bleach
• Aerosol cooking spray and spray starch
• English Christmas crackers

If you’re unsure whether an item is permitted in the cabin or on the plane, you can check the TSA website for the entire list. It also details special packing instructions that must be followed for certain restricted items to pass security.

Bottom Line

Following the TSA and airline guidelines for carry-on baggage will help get you quickly through the security checkpoint and avoid unnecessary fees and get you on your way to your destination faster.