Will your carry-on fit?
Choose your airlines, enter your bag's size and weight once, and compare them with the rules for your flight.
- Limits taken from each carrier’s own published policy
- Route, fare and aircraft variants shown separately, not averaged
- Free, no account, nothing to install
The Three Baggage Types, Explained
Airlines split what you travel with into three allowances. Each has its own size and weight limit, and the one you exceed decides what you pay.
Personal item
The small bag that goes under the seat in front of you — handbag, laptop bag or small backpack. Usually free and rarely weighed.
Carry-on
The bag or wheeled case you take into the cabin and store in the overhead bin. Sized at the gate, and weighed by many airlines.
Checked baggage
The large suitcase you hand over at the desk and collect at your destination. On the cheapest fares, especially with low-cost airlines, you pay extra for it; other fares usually include it. Most often the limit is 23 kg per bag, and overweight costs extra.
The allowance depends on your fare, not just the airline. The cheapest fare often allows only a bag under the seat. Pick your fare in the checker and it shows the allowance for that fare.
How to Check Your Carry-On
Measure Your Packed Bag
Measure the bag as you will travel with it, including wheels, handles, pockets and anything that sticks out.
Choose Your Airlines
Choose the airlines you might fly with above, then enter your bag’s size and weight, or see the largest bag they all accept.
Compare Airline Results
See which airline rules your bag meets and where size, weight, fare, route or aircraft restrictions need attention.
Why Airlines Have Different Luggage Rules
Rules differ because airlines fly different aircraft and run different business models. Low-cost carriers are usually stricter about bag size: paid baggage brings them revenue, and small bags speed up boarding.
Aircraft & Safety
Bin size and weight limits depend on the aircraft model
Boarding Speed
Standard sizes speed up boarding
Business Model
Paid baggage lets airlines sell cheaper base fares
Overhead bin size depends on the aircraft model, and every passenger's bag has to fit safely. Weight limits help airlines control fuel burn and the aircraft's balance.
Check your bag here before you travel, and you'll spot size or weight problems at home, not at the airport.
Pro Tips for Checking Suitcase Size Online
The measurements help you predict the result. At the gate, the practical question is whether your packed bag fits the airline’s sizer.
Measure before you get to the airport
Measurements are useful because they let you predict the sizer test at home before you reach the gate.
Will it fit the airline sizer?
For carry-on, this is often the practical size test at the gate — not the number printed on the suitcase label.
Common mistakes to avoid
Most problems happen because the packed bag is bulkier than expected or the wrong airline rule was used.
Before you trust the result
Airline rules can vary, so double-check a few key details before you travel.
Need the rule for one specific airline?
Browse the airline directory for carrier-specific personal item, carry-on and checked baggage rules, including important route and fare exceptions.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do airlines include wheels and handles in baggage dimensions?
Yes. Measure the bag at its maximum external dimensions, including wheels, handles, feet, pockets and other protruding parts.
Do airlines weigh carry-on luggage?
Many do. Enforcement varies by airline, airport and route, so a bag can meet the size limit and still fail the weight allowance.
Why can the same airline show more than one baggage limit?
Rules can change by fare, cabin class, route, aircraft and whether the airline uses a weight or piece concept. BaggageChecker keeps meaningful variants separate instead of averaging them into one number.
What happens if my bag is too large or too heavy?
The airline may charge an excess or gate-check fee, require the bag to travel in the hold, or ask you to repack it. The exact outcome depends on the carrier and fare.
Should I still check my airline before flying?
Yes. Baggage policies can change, and your ticket may contain a route- or fare-specific allowance. Use BaggageChecker for comparison, then confirm the allowance shown by the operating carrier before departure.