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Personal Item Size by Airline (Master Chart)

The free bag that goes under the seat in front of you. Its size varies more between airlines than the carry-on does.

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The short answer

Personal item limits run from about 17 × 10 × 9 in on United to 18 × 14 × 8 in on American, Frontier and Allegiant. A bag no larger than 17 × 10 × 8 in (43 × 25 × 20 cm) fits every US airline that publishes a limit; United’s 10-inch width is the one most bags fail. Delta, Southwest and Alaska don’t publish an exact size; it just has to fit under the seat.

American18×14×8 inUnited17×10×9 inFrontier18×14×8 inTurkish15.7×11.8×5.9 in
Published personal item limits (front view, width × height) drawn to the same scale.

Personal item size chart: US airlines

Personal item size limits for US airlines
AirlinePersonal itemCarry-onLowest fare carry-on
DeltaNot publishedMust fit under the seat22 × 14 × 9 in56 × 35 × 23 cmCarry-on includedDelta Main Basic
American Airlines18 × 14 × 8 in45 × 35 × 20 cm22 × 14 × 9 in56 × 36 × 23 cmCarry-on includedAmerican Basic Economy
United17 × 10 × 9 in43 × 25 × 22 cm22 × 14 × 9 in56 × 35 × 23 cmPersonal item onlyUnited Basic Economy
SouthwestNot publishedMust fit under the seat24 × 16 × 10 in61 × 41 × 25 cmCarry-on includedSouthwest Basic
JetBlue17 × 13 × 8 in43 × 33 × 20 cm22 × 14 × 9 in56 × 36 × 23 cmCarry-on includedJetBlue Main Base
Alaska AirlinesNot publishedMust fit under the seat22 × 14 × 9 in56 × 36 × 23 cmCarry-on includedAlaska Saver
Hawaiian AirlinesNot publishedMust fit under the seat22 × 14 × 9 in56 × 36 × 23 cmCarry-on includedHawaiian Saver
Frontier18 × 14 × 8 in46 × 36 × 20 cm24 × 16 × 10 inPaid61 × 41 × 25 cmPersonal item onlyFrontier Basic fare
Allegiant18 × 14 × 8 in45 × 35 × 20 cm22 × 16 × 10 inPaid55 × 40 × 25 cmPersonal item onlyAllegiant base fare
Sun Country17 × 13 × 9 in43 × 33 × 23 cm24 × 16 × 11 inPaid61 × 41 × 28 cmPersonal item onlySun Country base fare
Breeze Airways17 × 13 × 8 in43 × 33 × 20 cm22 × 14 × 9 inPaid56 × 36 × 23 cmPersonal item onlyBreeze No Flex
Avelo17 × 13 × 9 in43 × 33 × 22 cm22 × 14 × 9 inPaid55 × 35 × 22 cmPersonal item onlyAvelo base fare

Personal item size chart: international airlines

Personal item size limits for international airlines
AirlinePersonal itemCarry-onCarry-on weight
Air Canada17 × 13 × 6 in43 × 33 × 16 cm21.5 × 15.5 × 9 in55 × 40 × 23 cmNo limit
British Airways16 × 12 × 6 in40 × 30 × 15 cm22 × 18 × 10 in56 × 45 × 25 cmNo limit
Lufthansa15.7 × 11.8 × 5.9 in40 × 30 × 15 cm21.7 × 15.7 × 9.1 in55 × 40 × 23 cm17.6 lb8 kg
Air France16 × 12 × 6 in40 × 30 × 15 cm21.7 × 13.8 × 9.9 in55 × 35 × 25 cm26.4 lb12 kg
KLM15.7 × 11.8 × 5.9 in40 × 30 × 15 cm21.7 × 13.8 × 9.8 in55 × 35 × 25 cm26.5 lb12 kg
Aer Lingus15.7 × 11.8 × 7.9 in40 × 30 × 20 cm21.7 × 15.7 × 9.4 inPaid55 × 40 × 24 cm22 lb10 kg
Icelandair15.7 × 11.8 × 5.9 in40 × 30 × 15 cm21.7 × 15.7 × 7.9 in55 × 40 × 20 cm22 lb10 kg
Ryanair15.7 × 11.8 × 7.9 in40 × 30 × 20 cm21.7 × 15.7 × 7.9 inPaid55 × 40 × 20 cm22 lb10 kg
easyJet17.7 × 14.2 × 7.9 in45 × 36 × 20 cm22 × 17.7 × 9.8 inPaid56 × 45 × 25 cm33 lb15 kg
Wizz Air15.7 × 11.8 × 7.9 in40 × 30 × 20 cm21.7 × 15.7 × 9.1 inPaid55 × 40 × 23 cm22 lb10 kg
Turkish Airlines15.7 × 11.8 × 5.9 in40 × 30 × 15 cm21.7 × 15.7 × 9.1 in55 × 40 × 23 cm17.6 lb8 kg
EmiratesNot publishedMust fit under the seat21.6 × 14.9 × 8.6 in55 × 38 × 22 cm15 lb7 kg
Qatar AirwaysNot publishedMust fit under the seat20 × 15 × 10 in50 × 37 × 25 cm15 lb7 kg
Volaris17.7 × 13.8 × 7.9 in45 × 35 × 20 cm22 × 16 × 10 inPaid55 × 40 × 25 cm22 lb10 kg
AeromexicoNot publishedMust fit under the seat21.6 × 15.7 × 9.8 in55 × 40 × 25 cm22 lb10 kg

What counts as a personal item?

A purse, laptop bag, small backpack, tote or briefcase that fits under the seat in front of you. On most airlines you also get, free and on top of your personal item: a coat, an umbrella, food bought after security, a diaper bag, medical devices and mobility aids.

Full guides: carry-on vs personal item and is a backpack a personal item?

A size that works everywhere

If you fly several US airlines, aim for 17 × 10 × 8 in (43 × 25 × 20 cm), or a soft bag that squashes to it. Flying in Europe too? Many airlines there allow only 40 × 30 × 15 cm (16 × 12 × 6 in) for the free bag. If you only fly Frontier, you can use the full 18 × 14 × 8 in.

Check your bag

Bag type
Your bag’s outside size, wheels and handles included
Measure your bag at its widest points. Most carry-on bags are 21–22.5 in tall with wheels.

Frequently asked questions

What is the standard personal item size?
There isn’t one standard. US limits range from United’s 17 × 10 × 9 in to 18 × 14 × 8 in on American and Frontier. Many European airlines use 40 × 30 × 15 cm (16 × 12 × 6 in).
Does TSA have a personal item size?
No. TSA screens contents; airlines set bag sizes.
Can a personal item go in the overhead bin?
It can if there is room after everyone’s carry-ons, but crews may ask you to move it under the seat. On full flights, plan to keep it at your feet.

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