United Airlines
United Personal Item Size (2026)
United's personal item is 9 × 10 × 17 in (22 × 25 × 43 cm), free on every fare and often the only free cabin bag on Basic Economy. It must fit under the seat.
Quick answer
United's personal item can measure up to 9 × 10 × 17 inches (22 × 25 × 43 cm) and must fit under the seat in front of you. It's free on every fare, and on most Basic Economy tickets it's the only cabin bag allowed.
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Last checked: September 26, 2026
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What counts as a personal item on United
Anything that fits under the seat in front of you within 9 × 10 × 17 inches. United names purses and backpacks as common examples. The whole bag has to fit, including wheels, straps and a stuffed front pocket. Soft bags often measure fine empty and then fail when full, so measure the bag packed.
Basic Economy and your personal item
On most Basic Economy tickets the personal item is the only cabin bag included, so it has to hold everything you need on board. If you arrive at the gate with a full-size carry-on and no exception applies, the bag has to be checked, and United charges $25 plus the applicable checked bag fee. Some routes and some travelers can have exceptions; check your ticket on United's Basic Economy page. Basic Economy carry-on rules
How to avoid a gate charge
- Measure your personal item packed against 9 × 10 × 17 inches before you leave home.
- On Basic Economy, plan for an under-seat bag only, unless your ticket shows an exception.
- If you need a bigger bag, check it before you reach the gate. United's checked bag fee calculator shows the price for your ticket. United baggage fees
Bags that fit
Personal: 9 × 10 × 17 in (22 × 25 × 43 cm) under seat; the 10 in width is where most bags fail. Carry-on: 9 × 14 × 22 in (23 × 35 × 56 cm); free on most fares.
On most domestic Basic Economy tickets you get a personal item only, and if it doesn’t fit under the seat or you bring a full-size carry-on, United charges $25 plus the applicable checked bag fee.
Shopping tips (size only): pick a soft bag that's no more than 9 × 10 × 17 in when packed, ideally one that compresses; wheeled under-seat bags are often wider than 10 in. Measure your bag before you go: the airport sizer has the final say, and no bag is guaranteed to fit.
See United carry-on size and United baggage fees.
Aim for a packed width of 10 in or less for United’s published 9 × 10 × 17 in personal item. On most Basic Economy tickets this is your only free cabin bag.
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ECOHUB 17 × 10 × 9 in personal item backpack
Marketed at 17 × 10 × 9 in for United’s published 9 × 10 × 17 in personal item. Check that the packed width is 10 in or less; this is often your only free cabin bag on Basic Economy.
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WANDF 17 × 10 × 9 in underseat backpack
Marketed at 17 × 10 × 9 in for United’s 9 × 10 × 17 in box. Confirm the packed width is 10 in or less; fit isn’t guaranteed by United.
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What is the United personal item size?
United's personal item can measure up to 9 × 10 × 17 inches (22 × 25 × 43 cm), and it must fit under the seat in front of you. You'll often see it written as 17 × 10 × 9 inches, which is the same limit.
Can I bring a backpack as my personal item on United?
Yes, if it fits within 9 × 10 × 17 inches and goes under the seat in front of you. United lists purses and backpacks as common personal items.
Is a personal item free on United Basic Economy?
Yes. In most cases a personal item is the only cabin bag you can bring on a Basic Economy ticket, so it needs to fit within 9 × 10 × 17 inches (22 × 25 × 43 cm) and under the seat.
What happens if I bring a full-size carry-on to the gate on United Basic Economy?
United charges a Basic Economy gate handling charge of $25 plus the applicable checked bag fee, and the bag has to be checked unless an exception applies to your ticket.
What is the difference between a United personal item and a carry-on?
A personal item goes under the seat and can measure up to 9 × 10 × 17 inches (22 × 25 × 43 cm). A carry-on goes in the overhead bin and can measure up to 9 × 14 × 22 inches (23 × 35 × 56 cm), including handle and wheels. One of each is free on most flights, but in most cases Basic Economy allows only the personal item.
Do wheels and straps count toward United's personal item size?
The whole bag has to fit under the seat within 9 × 10 × 17 inches, so wheels, straps and stuffed outer pockets need to fit too. United's carry-on measurement explicitly includes handles and wheels.
Does United charge for a personal item?
No. United includes one free personal item, including on Basic Economy tickets, as long as it fits under the seat within 9 × 10 × 17 inches (22 × 25 × 43 cm).
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Disclaimer
Confirm sizes and fees on united.com before travel. BagRule is not affiliated with United Airlines.