Southwest Carry On Size (2026)

Southwest carry-on is 24 × 16 × 10 inches including wheels, handles, and attachments (fees footnote also lists 10 × 16 × 24 - same box). No published cm; converted, about 61 × 41 × 25 cm. One carry-on and one personal item are free on all fares (Basic through Choice Extra). No published carry-on weight. Personal item: under the seat, no L×W×H published. Checked bags are paid on most fares after Bags Fly Free ended - see baggage fees.

This page follows Southwest’s official carry-on baggage policy and optional travel charges and fees page (and its checked baggage policy). Carry-on size and free cabin allowance are the stable facts here. Current mainland checked-bag prices (for tickets booked, ticketed or changed on or after April 9, 2026) are on our baggage fees page; check southwest.com again before you fly.

• Free with ticket: 1 carry-on (24 × 16 × 10) and 1 under-seat personal item on every fare including Basic.
• Paid (checked): Checked bags on Basic, Choice and Choice Preferred (mainland tickets booked, ticketed or changed on or after April 9, 2026: 1st bag $45, 2nd bag $55, 3rd bag and later $150). Full details: Southwest baggage fees.
• Choice Extra: 2 checked free (cabin bags still free).
• When you pay (checked): add bags earlier on southwest.com or through its travel fees pages rather than facing surprises at the airport; the full fee list is on our baggage fees page.
• Status, card or military: A-List Preferred (2), A-List and Rapid Rewards® card (1st), active-duty military with valid ID (2); details on baggage fees.

1. Measure your packed bag including wheels, handles, and attachments. Stay at or under 24 × 16 × 10 in.
2. Southwest publishes no personal-item inches; it requires under-seat fit only.
3. Soft expanders that push past 24×16×10 fail the sizer even if the empty bag looked compliant.
4. On Basic, you still get a free carry-on and personal item; pack light if you want to skip paid checked bags.
5. Southwest counts a pet carrier as the carry-on or the personal item.

1. Measure and sizer: carry-on 24 × 16 × 10 in or smaller when packed, wheels, handles and attachments included. Personal item must fit under the seat (no published inches).
2. Fare and free bags: Basic, Choice, Choice Preferred, and Choice Extra all include a free carry-on and a free personal item. Basic is not personal-item-only.
3. If the sizer fails or bins are full: oversized cabin bags may need to be checked (checked fees apply on most fares unless you have Choice Extra or a waiver). The carry-on itself stays free when it is within the size limit; that is separate from the ended Bags Fly Free checked bag offer.

• Out-of-date search results still say “2 free bags for everyone.” That was true before May 28, 2025. Carry-on remains free; checked bags usually do not.
• Your ticket or change date controls checked fees. Mainland tickets booked and ticketed before April 9, 2026 may still be $35 and $45 until voluntarily changed; see the fees page.
• Personal item: Southwest publishes no official inches. If it won’t fit under the seat, it may be treated as a carry-on or cause problems at the gate. Frontier’s 18×14×8 is not Southwest’s rule.
• The cm size (about 61×41×25) is BagRule’s own conversion, not a Southwest-published figure.
• Southwest counts a pet carrier as the carry-on or the personal item.

1. Use the free carry-on and under-seat personal item on Basic if you can pack light.
2. Measure including wheels and handles; stay at or under 24 × 16 × 10 in.
3. For free checked bags, book Choice Extra or qualify through A-List Preferred, a Rapid Rewards® card, military status or Getaways; see baggage fees.
4. Don’t rely on legacy “Bags Fly Free®” marketing copy when comparing fares.

These are loose suggestions only: measure your packed bag before travel. Look for bags marketed as airline carry-on or “24×16×10” compliant that stay at or under Southwest’s published 24 × 16 × 10 in including wheels and handles. Under-seat companions should fit the actual under-seat space (Southwest publishes no personal-item L×W×H).

When shopping, filter for bags of 24×16×10 in or smaller and measure them yourself.

What is the Southwest carry-on size limit?

24 × 16 × 10 inches, including wheels, handles, and attachments. Southwest does not publish cm; converted, it is about 61 × 41 × 25 cm. No published carry-on weight. Fees pages may list 10 × 16 × 24 (same numbers, different order).

Does Southwest Basic include a free carry-on?

Yes. Basic (which replaced Wanna Get Away) includes a free carry-on and a free personal item. Checked bags are a separate, paid matter on most fares since Bags Fly Free ended for most products.

Do wheels and handles count on Southwest?

Yes. The 24 × 16 × 10 limit includes wheels, handles, and attachments. Measure the packed exterior.

What is Southwest’s personal item size?

No published L×W×H - it must stow under the seat. Other airlines’ published sizes are not Southwest policy. See Southwest personal item.

Did Southwest stop Bags Fly Free?

Since May 28, 2025, most fares pay for checked bags. Carry-on and personal item remain free. Current mainland checked-bag prices (for tickets booked, ticketed or changed on or after April 9, 2026: $45 for the 1st bag and $55 for the 2nd on Basic, Choice and Choice Preferred) are on baggage fees.

Is Southwest’s carry-on larger than the common 22 × 14 × 9?

Southwest’s published max (24 × 16 × 10) is a larger box than the common 22 × 14 × 9 size, but still measure including wheels and handles before you travel.

Why do some Southwest pages say 10 × 16 × 24?

Same numbers as 24 × 16 × 10, different axis order. Measure the packed exterior including wheels, handles, and attachments against that box.

Does a pet carrier count as my Southwest carry-on?

A pet carrier counts as the carry-on or the personal item under Southwest’s published rules, not a free third cabin piece.

• Southwest baggage fees
• Southwest personal item size
• Carry-on size hub
• Personal item size hub
• How BagRule checks its sources
• 2026 US airline bag fee changes
• American carry-on size
• Delta carry-on size
• United carry-on size
• Frontier carry-on size

Fees and rules change; confirm on southwest.com before travel. BagRule is not affiliated with Southwest Airlines.