The short answer
A carry-on is about 22 × 14 × 9 in (56 × 36 × 23 cm) for US airlines. Medium checked suitcases are 23–26 in tall and large checked are 27–30 in. Any checked bag must stay under 62 linear inches (158 cm) and usually 50 lb (23 kg) to avoid extra fees.
Luggage size chart
| Size | Height | Typical dimensions | Capacity | Good for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Personal item / underseatUnder the seat in front of you | 16–18 in | 18 × 14 × 8 in46 × 36 × 20 cm | 20–30 L | Overnight, or alongside a carry-on |
| International carry-onOverhead bin on most non-US airlines | 19–21 in | 21.6 × 15.7 × 7.9 in55 × 40 × 20 cm | 30–40 L | 2–4 nights |
| US carry-onOverhead bin on US airlines | 21–22 in | 22 × 14 × 9 in56 × 36 × 23 cm | 35–45 L | 3–7 nights |
| Medium checkedChecked; about 55 in linear | 23–26 in | 26 × 18 × 11 in66 × 46 × 28 cm | 60–80 L | 1–2 weeks |
| Large checkedChecked; near the 62 in limit | 27–30 in | 29 × 20 × 12 in74 × 51 × 30 cm | 90–120 L | 2+ weeks, families |
| Extra-large checkedOften oversized (over 62 in) | 31–32 in | 32 × 21 × 13 in81 × 53 × 33 cm | 120+ L | Moving, sports gear |
How suitcases are measured
Brands name suitcases by height (a “22-inch carry-on”), but they don’t always include the wheels and handle in that number. Airlines do. A bag sold as 21 inches can measure 22.5 inches once its wheels are counted, which is too tall for the 22-inch limit on most US airlines.
Look for the exterior or “overall” dimensions on the spec sheet, then measure yourself: stand the bag upright, measure from the floor to the top of the retracted handle, then the widest point side to side and the deepest point front to back, including pockets. You can test the result in the bag size checker.
The 62-inch checked bag limit
Almost every US airline caps a standard checked bag at 62 linear inches (158 cm): length + width + height added together. A 29 × 20 × 12 in large suitcase totals 61 inches and just passes. Many 32-inch bags total 65 inches or more, and airlines charge an oversize fee on top of the bag fee. See checked bag size and weight by airline.
Weight is the more common problem. The economy limit is usually 50 lb (23 kg), and a full large suitcase can pass that easily. A luggage scale costs less than one overweight fee.
Which size do you need?
- Weekend or business trip: a US carry-on, or a personal item if you fly a budget airline that charges for carry-ons.
- One week: a carry-on plus a personal item covers most people; packing cubes help.
- Two weeks or cold weather: a medium checked bag.
- Family trips or gear: a large checked bag, watching the 50 lb limit.
- Europe and Asia: pick a 55 × 40 × 20 cm carry-on; many airlines there are stricter than US airlines. See international carry-on sizes.