What is the United carry-on size limit?

22 × 14 × 9 in (56 × 35 × 23 cm), including wheels and handles.

What is the United personal item size?

17 × 10 × 9 in (43 × 25 × 22 cm); it must fit under the seat in front of you.

United carry-on and personal item size

United allows a free carry-on up to 22 × 14 × 9 in (56 × 35 × 23 cm) plus a free personal item up to 17 × 10 × 9 in (43 × 25 × 22 cm).

Personal item free

17 × 10 × 9 in

43 × 25 × 22 cm

Carry-on free

22 × 14 × 9 in

56 × 35 × 23 cm · no weight limit

Checked bag

50 lb

62 linear in (158 cm), 50 lb (23 kg)

United limits drawn to scale, front view; the personal item is about 55% of the carry-on's volume.

United basic fares

Basic Economy allows only a personal item on most flights: a full-size carry-on must be checked, except on flights to South America, across the Atlantic and across the Pacific. MileagePlus Premier members and United cardmembers still get a free carry-on.

United bag rules worth knowing

United's personal item (17 × 10 × 9 in) is the smallest of the big US airlines, 4 inches shallower than American's.

How United compares

Carry-on size rank: 17 of 25 (45 L); personal item: 12 of 22 (24 L).

A bag at United's full carry-on size also fits the carry-on limit of American, Delta, Southwest, Frontier, Spirit, Allegiant, JetBlue, Alaska, Hawaiian, Sun Country, Breeze, Avelo, WestJet, British Airways, easyJet, but is too big for Air Canada, Lufthansa, Air France, KLM and 5 more.

A maxed-out United personal item also passes as a personal item on Sun Country, Avelo.

Will your bag fit United?

Length Width Depth Unit

Source: United Airlines, checked 2026-10-29.