Southwest Airlines Carry-On Size Guide

Quick Answer: Southwest Carry-On Size

Southwest Airlines allows one carry-on bag and one personal item for most travelers. Your carry-on bag should not exceed 24 x 16 x 10 inches, including wheels, handles, and attachments. Your personal item must fit under the seat in front of you.

If you are flying Southwest, you get one of the more generous carry-on size allowances among major U.S. airlines. Still, the right luggage matters. A suitcase that is too bulky, too overpacked, or too large once wheels and handles are included can still create issues at the gate or in the overhead bin. This guide explains Southwest carry-on size rules, personal item guidance, checked bag basics, and the best luggage types to consider before your next Southwest flight.

Updated: May 2026. Airline baggage rules can change, so always confirm current requirements with Southwest Airlines before your flight.

Southwest Airlines carry-on size guide image showing navy carry-on luggage, a personal item backpack, Southwest baggage size limits, and checked bag information for travelers.

Southwest Airlines Carry-On Size at a Glance

Bag Type	Southwest Airlines Size Limit	Best Bag Choice
Carry-On Bag	24 x 16 x 10 inches, including wheels, handles, and attachments	Spinner carry-on, small suitcase, hardside carry-on, or softside carry-on
Personal Item	Must fit under the seat in front of you	Small backpack, purse, laptop bag, tote, briefcase, or underseat bag
Checked Bag	Most standard checked bags: 62 total inches and 50 lbs	Medium checked suitcase or lightweight checked luggage

What Size Carry-On Can You Bring on Southwest Airlines?

Southwest Airlines' standard carry-on size limit is 24 x 16 x 10 inches. This measurement includes wheels, handles, and any attachments. That gives Southwest travelers a little more room than some airlines that use a 22 x 14 x 9 inch limit, but it still matters to measure the full exterior size of your bag.

For most Southwest travelers, the safest choice is a carry-on suitcase that fits at or below the 24 x 16 x 10 inch limit when fully packed. If your carry-on has an expansion zipper, be careful. A bag may fit before expansion, but become too deep once fully packed and expanded.

Shop carry-on luggage for Southwest flights and everyday travel.

Southwest Airlines Personal Item Rules

Southwest allows one personal item in addition to your carry-on bag. Your personal item should fit under the seat in front of you. Common personal items include a purse, briefcase, laptop bag, small backpack, camera bag, or similar compact item.

Because under-seat space can vary by aircraft, the safest personal item is compact, soft-sided, and not overpacked. A small backpack, laptop bag, tote, or underseat travel bag usually works well as long as it slides under the seat without being forced.

Shop underseat bags for Southwest Airlines flights.

Can You Bring a Backpack on Southwest Airlines?

Yes, you can usually bring a backpack on Southwest Airlines as your personal item if it fits under the seat in front of you. A small backpack, laptop backpack, or compact travel backpack can be one of the best personal item choices for Southwest travelers.

The key is not to overpack it. A backpack may look small when empty, but front pockets, water bottle pockets, and bulky packing can make it too thick to slide under the seat. If your backpack is large enough to need overhead bin space, it may count more like your carry-on bag than your personal item.

Can You Bring an Underseat Bag on Southwest Airlines?

Yes. An underseat bag can be used as your Southwest personal item if it fits under the seat in front of you. Underseat bags are especially useful for travelers who want easy access to essentials during the flight without opening their carry-on suitcase.

The best underseat bags for Southwest usually have organized compartments, a compact shape, a laptop or tablet sleeve, and a luggage sleeve that slides over the handle of your carry-on suitcase.

Does Southwest Weigh Carry-On Bags?

Southwest primarily focuses on carry-on size and whether the bag fits in the overhead bin or under the seat. There is not usually a routine carry-on weight check for standard Southwest flights, but any airline can require a bag to be checked if it is too large, unsafe to handle, or difficult to fit.

A lightweight carry-on is still a smart choice. Even if your bag is within Southwest's size limit, you still need to lift it into the overhead bin and move through the airport comfortably.

What Happens If Your Southwest Carry-On Is Too Big?

If your Southwest carry-on is too large, you may be required to check it. This can create delays and may lead to baggage fees depending on your fare, route, and current Southwest baggage policy. It can also mean waiting at baggage claim after you land.

The easiest way to avoid this is to choose luggage that is clearly within Southwest's published carry-on size limit and to measure the full outside dimensions, including wheels, handles, and attachments.

Best Carry-On Luggage for Southwest Airlines

The best carry-on luggage for Southwest Airlines should take advantage of Southwest's generous carry-on size limit while still being easy to roll, lift, and store. Many travelers like spinner carry-ons for Southwest because they are easy to move through busy airports and boarding areas.

Best carry-on styles to consider:

Hardside carry-on luggage: Best for structure, protection, and a clean travel look.
Softside carry-on luggage: Best for exterior pockets and flexible packing.
Lightweight carry-on luggage: Best for travelers who want an easier bag to lift overhead.
Expandable carry-on luggage: Useful for extra room, but only if the bag still fits when expanded.

Shop hardside luggage or shop softside luggage for Southwest travel.

Best Personal Item Bags for Southwest Airlines

A good Southwest personal item should be compact, organized, and easy to keep under the seat. Since your personal item stays close during the flight, use it for the things you may need before landing.

Good Southwest personal item choices include:

Small backpacks
Laptop backpacks
Underseat rolling bags
Purses and handbags
Compact totes
Briefcases and work bags
Small duffel bags

For most travelers, a compact backpack or underseat bag is the most practical choice because it keeps your essentials organized while staying easy to place under the seat.

Southwest Airlines Checked Bag Size

Southwest's standard checked bag size limit is 62 total inches, meaning length + width + height combined. Southwest says wheels and handles should be included when measuring checked bags. The standard checked bag weight limit is 50 pounds.

If you are buying checked luggage for Southwest, a medium checked suitcase is often the safest choice. It gives you enough room for longer trips while helping reduce the risk of overweight or oversized baggage issues.

Shop checked luggage for Southwest trips, vacations, and family travel.

Best Checked Luggage for Southwest Airlines

The best checked luggage for Southwest should give you enough packing space without making it too easy to exceed size or weight limits. Lightweight checked luggage is especially useful because the suitcase itself takes up less of your total weight allowance.

For Southwest checked bags, consider:

Medium checked luggage: Best all-around option for vacations and longer trips.
Lightweight checked luggage: Helps reduce the risk of overweight baggage fees.
Hardside checked luggage: Good for structure and protection.
Softside checked luggage: Good for exterior pockets and flexible packing.
Luggage sets: Good for families or travelers who want matching carry-on and checked bags.

Shop luggage sets if you want a complete carry-on and checked luggage setup.

Southwest Airlines Carry-On Packing Tips

Use these packing tips before flying Southwest:

Measure your carry-on including wheels, handles, and attachments.
Keep your carry-on at or under 24 x 16 x 10 inches.
Choose a personal item that fits under the seat in front of you.
Pack medication, valuables, electronics, keys, and documents in your personal item.
Use packing cubes to organize clothing and reduce suitcase bulk.
Be careful with expandable luggage if expansion pushes the bag over the limit.
Do not pack your backpack so full that it no longer fits under the seat.
Check Southwest's current baggage rules before your flight.

Shop travel accessories like packing cubes, luggage tags, toiletry bags, and travel organizers.

Southwest Carry-On vs Personal Item

Your Southwest carry-on and personal item are different. Your carry-on is usually your main small suitcase and goes in the overhead bin. Your personal item is smaller and must fit under the seat in front of you.

Feature	Carry-On Bag	Personal Item
Typical Location	Overhead bin	Under the seat
Common Bag Type	Small suitcase, spinner, or compact duffel	Small backpack, purse, laptop bag, tote, underseat bag
Best For	Clothes, shoes, toiletries, packing cubes	Laptop, chargers, documents, medication, headphones, snacks

Southwest Airlines Baggage FAQ

What is the carry-on size for Southwest Airlines?

Southwest lists the standard carry-on size limit as 24 x 16 x 10 inches, including wheels, handles, and attachments.

Does Southwest allow one carry-on and one personal item?

Yes. Southwest generally allows one carry-on bag and one personal item onboard.

What counts as a personal item on Southwest?

Common Southwest personal items include a purse, briefcase, laptop bag, small backpack, camera bag, or similar compact item that fits under the seat in front of you.

Can I bring a backpack on Southwest?

Yes. A backpack can usually count as your personal item if it fits under the seat in front of you.

Can I bring an underseat bag on Southwest?

Yes. An underseat bag can work well as your Southwest personal item if it fits under the seat.

Do wheels count in Southwest carry-on size?

Yes. Southwest's carry-on size includes wheels, handles, and attachments, so measure the full outside dimensions of your bag.

What size checked bag can I bring on Southwest?

Southwest's standard checked bag size limit is 62 total inches, including wheels and handles, with a standard weight limit of 50 pounds.

Should I choose hardside or softside luggage for Southwest?

Either can work. Hardside luggage is better for structure and protection. Softside luggage is better for exterior pockets and flexible packing.

Best Luggage Setup for Flying Southwest Airlines

For most Southwest travelers, the best luggage setup is a carry-on spinner plus a personal item that fits under the seat. Southwest's carry-on size limit gives you more room than some other airlines, but a compact and easy-to-roll suitcase is still the safest choice.

For longer trips, pair a checked suitcase with a carry-on and a personal item. Choose lightweight checked luggage if you want to reduce the risk of overweight baggage issues.

Recommended setup:

Short trip: Carry-on suitcase + underseat bag
Business trip: Carry-on suitcase + laptop backpack
Family trip: Checked luggage + carry-on + personal item
Long vacation: Lightweight checked bag + carry-on + packing accessories

Related Luggage Guides

Final Takeaway

Southwest Airlines gives travelers a generous carry-on size limit, but the right luggage still matters. Keep your carry-on at or under 24 x 16 x 10 inches, choose a personal item that fits under the seat, and measure your bag including wheels, handles, and attachments.

The best Southwest travel setup is simple: a carry-on suitcase that fits the overhead bin, a compact personal item for in-flight essentials, and lightweight checked luggage when you need more packing room. That gives you the best chance of moving through the airport smoothly and avoiding last-minute baggage problems at the gate.

Start here: shop carry-on luggage, shop underseat bags, or shop checked luggage for your next Southwest Airlines flight.

Baggage rules and fees can change. Always confirm current carry-on, personal item, checked bag, and fee details directly with Southwest Airlines before you travel.