United carry-on size

United’s published carry-on size is 9 × 14 × 22 in (23 × 35 × 56 cm), including handles and wheels — the same footprint people search as “22×14×9.” Most fares include 1 carry-on + 1 personal item free. Basic Economy on most domestic / short-haul routes is personal-item only (no free overhead). Exceptions: free BE carry-on on South America / transatlantic / transpacific. Bring a full carry-on on BE anyway and the gate fee is $75 for tickets on/after Apr 3, 2026.

Free with most tickets: one size-compliant carry-on (9×14×22 in / 23×35×56 cm) plus one personal item (9×10×17 in / 22×25×43 cm).

Basic Economy (most routes): cabin allowance is a personal item only. A full overhead carry-on is not included. If you bring one (or your personal item fails under-seat), United will check it — for tickets purchased on/after Apr 3, 2026 that is typically $45 prepaid / $50 lobby / $75 gate. Older BE tickets used a lower ladder ($35 / $40 / $65 gate) — treat that as legacy for pre–Apr 3 purchases only.

BE exceptions with a free carry-on: itineraries to South America, across the Atlantic, or across the Pacific. Canada tickets bought before 5/28/2025 also keep the free BE carry-on under United’s published wording.

Premier / qualifying MileagePlus co-brand card / Star Alliance Gold: may restore 1 free carry-on on Basic Economy — confirm card eligibility. Gateway and MileagePlus Select do not qualify for the BE carry-on benefit. Card benefits generally require booking on the eligible card plus Priority Boarding; card benefit can cover multiple travelers on the same reservation (United publishes up to 8 for the card case — confirm current terms).

Military: free checked-bag counts and size/weight tiers are on United’s military page and the baggage fees sibling — do not invent piece counts here.

Checked bags: domestic Economy sample (prepaid vs standard) and overweight/oversize add-ons → United baggage fees. International and Asia ticket-date changes → use United’s Checked Bag Fee Calculator (confirm per itinerary; free-bag markets vary).

• United BE ≠ Delta BE. United usually blocks a free overhead bag on Basic Economy; Delta Basic still includes a free carry-on. Comparing “Basic” fares without checking cabin bags is a common money trap.
• Gate check is not free on BE. For tickets on/after Apr 3, 2026 the gate amount is $75 if you bring a full carry-on or an oversized personal item. This is not a free planeside check.
• Personal item that fails under-seat on BE → same $75 gate outcome.
• United Express: CommutAir = personal item only onboard; other Express carriers may allow a carry-on but have limited bin space. Pickup may be jet bridge or baggage claim.
• cm conversion: publish 23×35×56 cm. An old hub image alt once said 22 cm height — ignore that; use United’s body text.
• Do not invent international “1st bag free” markets or a full co-brand card matrix. Send readers to the official calculator and card terms.

1. Skip Basic Economy on domestic if you need a free overhead bag — or compare against Delta Basic, which still includes one.
2. Or restore a BE carry-on via Premier / eligible MileagePlus card / Star Alliance Gold — confirm which cards qualify (Gateway & Select do not).
3. Measure including wheels and handles; stay within 9×14×22 in (23×35×56 cm) so you clear airport sizers.
4. On BE, pack only the 9×10×17 in personal item — or prepaid-check early ($45) instead of paying $75 at the gate.
5. For checked bags, buy prepaid online ≥24 hours before departure when the prepaid/standard split applies (see fees sibling).

Soft picks only — measure your packed bag before travel. Look for bags marketed as airline carry-on / “22×14×9” compliant that stay at or under United’s published 9×14×22 in (23×35×56 cm) including wheels and handles. Under-seat companions should stay ≤ 9×10×17 in (22×25×43 cm).

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AmazonCard — United-size carry-on (~9×14×22 / “22×14×9”)
Softside or hardside spinner marketed as carry-on compliant for major U.S. airlines. Confirm the product’s listed exterior dimensions (wheels/handles included) are ≤ 9×14×22 in before you buy, then re-measure when packed.

AmazonCard — Under-seat personal item (≤9×10×17)
Slim backpack or tote aimed at under-seat fit. Useful as your only free cabin bag on most United Basic Economy tickets. Prefer non-expanding designs; soft bags that puff out past 9×10×17 in fail United’s under-seat rule.

When a dedicated BagRule guide goes live, start at /guides/best-carry-on-luggage/ — until then, filter for ≤9×14×22 in (or marketed 22×14×9) and verify yourself.

What is the United carry-on size limit?

9 × 14 × 22 inches (23 × 35 × 56 cm), including handles and wheels. United does not publish a separate carry-on weight limit. Prefer United’s published order; “22×14×9” is the same footprint in search language.

Does United charge for carry-on bags?

Usually no on Economy and above. Basic Economy on most domestic / short-haul routes does not include a free overhead carry-on — personal item only. Forced check on those BE tickets (on/after Apr 3, 2026): about $45 prepaid / $50 lobby / $75 gate.

Does Basic Economy include a carry-on on United?

No on most flights (personal item only). Yes on SAM / transatlantic / transpacific (and Canada tickets bought before 5/28/2025). Premier and some MileagePlus cards can restore a free BE carry-on — confirm the card. Unlike Delta Basic, which includes a free carry-on.

What if my bag doesn’t fit the United sizer?

Expect to check it; fees may apply. On Basic Economy, a gate check for an extra or oversized cabin bag is $75 for tickets on/after Apr 3, 2026 — not free.

What is United’s personal item size?

9 × 10 × 17 in (22 × 25 × 43 cm), free under the seat — the only free cabin bag on most Basic Economy tickets. Full detail: United personal item.

Is United carry-on the same as Delta or Frontier?

United and Delta share a similar ~22×14×9 footprint (United publishes 9×14×22 / 23×35×56 cm; Delta 22×14×9 plus 45 linear in / 114 cm). Frontier allows a larger published max (24×16×10) but often charges for it on Basic. The biggest traveler trap is United BE vs Delta BE carry-on policy — United usually personal-item only; Delta Basic still includes the overhead bag.

Fees, sizes, and Basic Economy rules change by ticket date and itinerary. Confirm on united.com before travel. BagRule is not affiliated with United Airlines.