Personal Item or Carry-On? What Counts as Which

A personal item is a smaller bag that fits under the seat in front of you, and a carry-on is a larger bag that goes in the overhead bin. That is the whole idea. Each airline then sets its own size limits, and its own rules for which fares include which bag.

On most standard fares on Delta, American, Southwest and Alaska, you get both for free. On Frontier, Allegiant, Avelo, Breeze and Sun Country, and on United Basic Economy, the personal item is often the only free bag, so knowing which one you are holding saves money.

Here are the published limits, sorted longest, middle, shortest. Where an airline does not publish a number, the table says Not published, and the source link takes you to the airline's own page so you can check your flight.

For the full picture on any airline, see its page, such as Alaska personal item, Delta personal item or Hawaiian personal item. For every airline at once, see our personal item size and carry-on size pages.

Backpacks: when a backpack is a personal item and when it becomes a carry-on

A backpack is not automatically either one. What matters is its packed size. If it fits your airline's personal item limit, it is a personal item. If it is bigger, it is a carry-on, even if it is soft and has straps.

On Frontier or American, a backpack packed to 18 x 14 x 8 inches or less counts as a personal item. On United, the limit is 17 x 10 x 9 inches, so a backpack that is 12 inches wide is over on the middle side and counts as a carry-on. On a United Basic Economy ticket, that usually means it cannot come on board at all on most routes (United carry-on bags).

Purses, laptop bags and totes

These are the classic personal items. A purse, a slim laptop bag or a tote counts as your one personal item. Most airlines allow one personal item, not one of each, so a purse and a backpack together usually means two items. If you want both, put the purse inside the backpack before you board.

Duffels and soft weekenders

A small duffel can be a personal item if it fits the limit when packed. Duffels bulge, so depth is the side to watch. A weekender that is 20 inches long is over every published personal item limit and counts as a carry-on.

Airlines list certain things that do not use up your allowance. The table below shows what five airlines publish. Not published means the airline does not say either way, so check its official page before you rely on it.

Coats, umbrellas and reading material

United and Allegiant say a jacket or coat and an umbrella are free. Southwest's contract of carriage treats outerwear the same way (Southwest contract of carriage, outerwear clause). Wearing your coat rather than packing it is still the safest choice.

Diaper bags, breast pumps and child gear

United, American and Allegiant all say a diaper bag is free, with American allowing one per child. United and American say a breast pump is free. United, American and Allegiant say a stroller or car seat does not count. Our stroller, car seat and infant bag guide has more detail.

Mobility and medical devices

United, American and Allegiant say mobility and medical devices are free. Frontier says medical devices, portable oxygen concentrators, respiratory devices and assistive devices are exempt from carry-on charges (Frontier bag options). See our medical devices in the cabin guide.

Food bought at the airport and duty free

United and Allegiant say food bought at the airport is free. Allegiant also allows one duty free bag. Other airlines in the table do not publish a rule, so on those, plan to fit your snacks inside your personal item.

Pet carriers

Southwest says a pet carrier counts as your carry-on or personal item, and Breeze says it counts as your personal item (Breeze personal item). If you are flying with a small pet, you may need to fit everything else into a single carry-on, or pay for one.

Pillows and blankets on Breeze

Breeze says a pillow or blanket counts as a personal item. Southwest says a neck pillow does not count. If you like to travel with a full size pillow, strap it to your bag or pack it inside on Breeze.

If the agent decides your personal item is over the limit, it becomes a carry-on. On fares that include a carry-on, that is usually fine as long as you have not already brought one. On strict fares, you pay the carry-on or gate price, or on United Basic Economy, the bag is usually checked. Our gate sizer guide shows how to test at home first, and our basic economy carry-on guide covers the fare rules.

Allegiant, round trip, personal item only: $0. Adding a carry-on at $10 to $75 each way costs 2 x $10, which is $20, at the low end and 2 x $75, which is $150, at the high end.

Avelo, round trip, personal item plus carry-on: 2 x $52 is $104 at the low end, and 2 x $75 is $150 at the high end.

Delta Main, round trip, personal item plus carry-on: $0, because Delta includes one carry-on and one personal item.

Personal item only. Pick a soft backpack that packs to 17 x 13 x 8 inches or less. Pack two shirts, one extra pair of pants, underwear and socks for three days, a light sweater, a toiletry pouch and a charger. Wear your heaviest shoes and your jacket. Roll the clothes tightly and put the toiletry pouch near the top so you can pull it out at security. Test the depth before you leave home.

Personal item plus carry-on. Move clothes and shoes into a roller that fits 22 x 14 x 9 inches, wheels included. Your personal item now holds only what you want at your seat: laptop, charger, snacks, a book and medicine. This is the easier way to travel, and on Delta, American, Southwest and Alaska standard fares it costs nothing extra. On Allegiant or Avelo, use the cost examples above to decide if the extra room is worth it.

1. Check your fare type and whether it includes a carry-on.
2. Find your airline's personal item limit in the table above.
3. Decide which bag is your one personal item.
4. Put the purse, the snacks and the small extras inside that bag.
5. Wear your coat and bulkiest shoes.
6. Measure the packed bag, depth first.

• Frontier bag options
• Allegiant baggage
• Allegiant fees
• Avelo optional services
• Breeze bag allowance
• Breeze travel tips
• Breeze personal item
• Sun Country booking guide
• United carry-on bags
• American carry-on bags
• Delta carry-on baggage
• Southwest carry-on policy
• Southwest contract of carriage, outerwear clause
• JetBlue carry-on bags
• Alaska fees page