Southwest Personal Item Size (2026)

Southwest’s personal item is free on every fare and must fit under the seat; Southwest publishes no official length, width and height. You also get 1 free carry-on (24 × 16 × 10 in) on all fares including Basic. Examples: purse (including crossbody), briefcase, laptop case, backpack, pillow, blanket, small camera. Free cabin bags are not the same as Bags Fly Free® (checked fees since May 28, 2025).

This page follows Southwest’s official carry-on baggage policy and optional travel charges and fees footnotes (and its checked baggage policy). Southwest leaves out inch dimensions on purpose, and other airlines’ sizes (for example Frontier 18×14×8) are not Southwest’s. Re-check southwest.com before travel.

Personal item: always free if it fits under the seat.

Full carry-on: always free on all fares (24 × 16 × 10 in), including Basic.

Checked bags: paid on Basic, Choice and Choice Preferred since Bags Fly Free® ended; mainland tickets booked, ticketed or changed on or after April 9, 2026 pay $45 for the 1st bag and $55 for the 2nd; Choice Extra, status, card and military options are free. Full tables are on Southwest baggage fees.

• Southwest does not publish 18×14×8 or any other inch size for the personal item; other airlines publish those.
• Soft bags that won’t fit under the seat fail the practical test even if they look “small.”
• A pet carrier uses one of the two free cabin allowances.
• Search results often mix this up with checked bags: a free personal item is not Bags Fly Free®. Checked fees have applied to most fares since May 28, 2025.
• cm: none to publish for the personal item.

1. Pack a true under-seat bag and the free 24 × 16 × 10 carry-on when skipping checked bags.
2. Measure the packed bag against the actual under-seat space.
3. For free checked bags, use Choice Extra, loyalty status, a card or military benefits; see baggage fees.
4. Changing a ticket booked and ticketed before April 9, 2026 may mean losing the older $35 and $45 checked rates.

Suggestions for bags that fit under the seat as a Southwest personal item. Focus on under-seat fit, not a made-up Southwest inch size; Southwest publishes no length, width and height. Prefer non-expanding backpacks and totes; measure when packed.

When shopping, prioritize under-seat fit and measure the bag yourself.

What is the Southwest personal item size?

Southwest does not publish L×W×H. The personal item must fit under the seat. Examples include a purse, briefcase, laptop case, or small backpack.

Is a personal item free on Southwest Basic?

Yes. Every fare includes one free personal item plus one free carry-on (24 × 16 × 10 in).

Does Southwest allow a backpack as a personal item?

Yes if it fits under the seat when packed (and you’re not also counting a pet carrier as the personal item).

What’s the difference between Southwest personal item and carry-on?

Personal item: under seat, no published dimensions, free. Carry-on: 24 × 16 × 10 in including wheels and handles, overhead, also free on all fares. Full carry-on detail: Southwest carry-on size.

Can I bring a personal item and a carry-on on Southwest?

Yes, one of each, free, on Basic through Choice Extra.

Do American or Frontier personal-item rules differ?

American and Frontier publish inch limits (for example 18 × 14 × 8); Southwest does not and requires under-seat fit only. See American, Frontier, Delta, and United personal-item pages.

• Southwest carry-on size
• Southwest baggage fees
• American personal item size
• Delta personal item size
• United personal item size
• Frontier personal item size

Confirm sizes and fees on southwest.com before travel. BagRule is not affiliated with Southwest Airlines.