WN · checked 2026-10-19
Southwest Airlines carry-on and personal item size
The limits below are quoted from Southwest Airlines's baggage rules. Sizes include wheels and handles unless noted.
Personal item
No size published
Personal item. Goes under the seat in front of you. Examples: purse (including crossbody bags), briefcase, laptop case, backpack, pillow (neck pillows do not count toward the carryon limit), blanket, small camera.
Southwest publishes no personal-item dimensions on its current help-center article. Your Mileage May Vary (8 Nov 2024) reported that Southwest removed the personal-item measurements it had published since at least summer 2023.
Carry-on
24 × 16 × 10 in (61 × 41 × 25 cm)
Size limit: 24” (length) × 16” (width) × 10” (height). Wheels, handles, and any attachments count toward these dimensions.
Inches only, no cm. No weight limit is stated. The Optional Travel Charges page states the same box in reverse order and without units: "does not exceed external dimensions of 10 x 16 x 24".
Find a carry-on that fitsWhich fares include a carry-on
| Fare | Carry-on included | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Basic | Yes | Optional Travel Charges: "Southwest allows all ticketed Passengers to carry on the following for free: (a) one carryon bag ... and (b) one smaller, personal type item". The help article ("You may bring one carryon bag and one personal item onboard.") also has no fare exception. |
| Choice | Yes | |
| Choice Preferred | Yes | |
| Choice Extra | Yes |
Carry-ons that fit Southwest Airlines
- Travelpro Platinum Elite Expandable Carry-On Rollaboard 22-inch53.5 L
- Travelpro Crew Classic Carry-On Expandable Rollaboard52 L
- Travelpro Maxlite 5 Expandable Carry-On Rollaboard 22-inch (Amazon calls it 21-Inch Upright)52 L
- Away The Bigger Carry-On49 L
- Travelpro Crew Classic Carry-On Expandable Spinner47 L
- Osprey Sojourn Porter 46L Travel Pack46 L
- Travelpro Maxlite 5 Expandable Carry-On Spinner 21-inch46 L
- Travelpro Platinum Elite Expandable Carry-On Spinner 21-inch46 L
- Monos Carry-On Plus45.9 L
- Away Active Convertible Backpack 45L45 L
- Patagonia Black Hole MLC 45L45 L
- Travelpro Maxlite 5 International Expandable Carry-On Rollaboard45 L
Source
- Carryon and Personal Item Policy | Southwest Airlinesairline page
- Optional Travel Charges | Southwest Airlinesairline page
- Fare Types and Benefits | Southwest Airlinesairline page
- Once Again, Southwest Quietly Changed The Size of Allowable Bag Size (Your Mileage May Vary, 8 Nov 2024)secondary source
Checked 2026-10-19. Airlines change these rules, so confirm on Southwest Airlines's page before you fly.