Southwest Airlines allows one carry-on bag and one personal item onboard. Knowing the exact carry-on dimensions before packing helps you avoid gate checks, extra fees, and last-minute repacking. Every fare includes one carry-on bag and one personal item. The carry-on bag must measure no more than 24” (L) × 16” (W) × 10” (H), including wheels, handles, and any attachments, and goes in the overhead bin. The personal item (purse, briefcase, laptop bag, small backpack, etc.) must fit under the seat in front of you.
Southwest Carry-On and Personal Item Dimensions
Each Southwest passenger can bring one free carry-on bag and one free personal item.
| Bag Type | Maximum Size | Weight Limit | Where It Goes |
| Carry-On Bag | 24” L × 16” W × 10” H | Must be liftable | Overhead bin |
| Personal Item | 18.5” L × 8.5” W × 13.5” H | No set limit | Under the seat |
| Checked Bags | 2 free | 50 lbs per bag | Cargo hold |
Note: The carry-on must be light enough for you to lift and store without help.
What Counts as a Carry-On vs. Personal Item?
Your carry-on is the larger bag that goes in the overhead bin. A personal item is a smaller bag that fits under the seat.
- Carry-On Bags: Small suitcases, roller bags, duffel bags, or large backpacks. Wheels and handles must fit within the size limit.
- Personal Items: Purses, laptop bags, briefcases, small backpacks, tote bags, or camera bags.
- Extra small bags: A purse or small crossbody should be placed inside one of your two allowed bags.
- Bulkhead seats: If there is no seat in front of you, your personal item must go in the overhead bin during takeoff and landing.
- Small backpack: Can be your personal item if it fits under the seat.
Items That Don’t Count Against Your Limit
Southwest Airlines allows specific essential items on board in addition to the standard carry-on and personal bags, such as:
- Medical Items
- Wheelchairs & Crutches
- Childcare Items
- Baby Bags
- Car Seats
- Breast Pumps
- Coats & Jackets
- Hats & Neck Pillows
- Umbrellas
- Travel Items
What Happens If Your Carry-On Is Too Big?
If your carry-on is larger than Southwest’s allowed size, you may have to check the bag instead of taking it into the cabin.
- At check-in: You may have to check the bag and pay any applicable checked-bag fees.
- At the gate: If the bag is found to be too large, Southwest may require you to check it before boarding.
- Oversized or overweight: If the bag is checked and exceeds the standard 62 linear inches or 50 lb, additional fees may apply.
- Very large bags: Southwest generally does not accept checked bags over 80 linear inches or 100 lb, with some exceptions for special items.
Note: Before checking your bag, remove power banks, spare lithium batteries, e-cigarettes, lighters, and other items that cannot go in checked baggage. Keep valuables, medication, IDs, and important electronics with you.
Southwest Airlines Overweight Bag Fees
Additional charges may apply when you check more bags or exceed the standard size or weight limits.
| Bag Issue | Fee / Restriction |
| 3rd or additional checked bag | $150 per bag |
| 51–70 lbs | $100 per bag |
| 71–100 lbs | $200 per bag |
| 63–80 linear inches | $200 per bag |
| Over 100 lbs | Not accepted |
| Over 80 linear inches | Not accepted (only special cases) |
Southwest Checked Bag Pricing
Southwest now charges for checked bags on some fares. However, some passengers may still get free checked bags.
| Bag | Standard Fee |
| 1st Checked Bag | $45 each way |
| 2nd Checked Bag | $55 each way |
| 3rd+ Checked Bag | $75-$150 per bag |
Who Gets Free Checked Bags on Southwest?
A-List members, A-List Preferred members, Choice Extra fare passengers, eligible Southwest credit cardholders, and active-duty military personnel can get free checked bags.
- A-List and A-List Preferred members (the airline’s elite frequent-flyer tiers)
- Choice Extra fare purchasers, the premium ticket type introduced alongside the new fare structure
- Southwest Rapid Rewards co-branded credit cardholders, whose free-bag benefit can also extend to companions on the same reservation, in some cases up to eight people
- Active-duty military personnel traveling on orders or personal leave, who are exempt from standard fees with expanded allowances up to 100 pounds and 80 linear inches
What Can You Pack in a Southwest Carry-on?
You can pack most everyday travel items in your carry-on or personal item as long as they meet TSA security rules and Southwest’s baggage requirements.
Common Allowed Items
Southwest passengers can pack these common items in their carry-on or personal item:
- Clothing Items and accessories
- Phones
- Laptops,
- Tablets
- Cameras
- Headphones
- Books
- Magazines
- Passports and IDs
- Boarding Pass
- Wallets
- Toiletries
- Medication
- Solid foods
Restricted or Prohibited Items
TSA and Southwest restrict items that could create a safety risk onboard.
- Weapons
- Knives
- Razor Blades
- Large Scissors
- Bats & Sporting Clubs
- Explosives
- Fireworks
- Flammable Liquids
- Fuel
- Toxic Chemicals
- Pepper Spray & Mace
- Compressed Gas
- Certain Lithium Batteries
- Damaged or Recalled Batteries
- Other Hazardous Materials
Power Banks on Southwest Flights
Southwest has specific rules for power banks starting April 20, 2026:
- One power bank: Each customer can carry one power bank.
- Cabin only: Power banks cannot be placed in checked baggage.
- Maximum capacity: The power bank must not exceed 100 Wh.
- Under-seat storage: Keep it in your personal item under the seat, not in the overhead bin.
- During use: Keep the power bank visible while it is charging another device.
- No in-seat charging: You cannot charge the power bank using an aircraft power outlet.
Southwest Carry-On Guidelines for Special Items
Southwest has separate rules for pets, musical instruments, and assistive devices that travelers should know before flying.
Traveling With a Pet
Small pets can travel in approved carriers, subject to Southwest’s pet rules and space availability.
- A pet carrier counts as your carry-on or personal item.
- The carrier must fit under the seat.
- Approved carriers can have different size limits depending on the carrier type.
Musical Instruments
Musical instruments can be carried in the cabin when they can be safely stored and meet Southwest’s requirements.
- Small instruments that meet the carry-on size limit can travel in the cabin.
- Guitars, Violins, Small instruments, and Musical instrument cases
- Larger instruments may be accepted if they can be safely stored without blocking aisles or emergency equipment.
Sports Equipment (In-Cabin)
Sports items that fit the standard carry-on limit (such as small skateboards, tennis racquets, or fishing rods) can be brought into the cabin as your regular carry-on. Larger gear like golf bags, skis, and surfboards must be checked.
Fragile and High-Value Items
Camera gear, drones, and delicate electronics can travel as a carry-on or personal item if they meet the size limits.
Cremated remains are allowed in carry-on baggage if they pass TSA screening and are placed in a wood or plastic crematory container that can clear the X-ray machine.
Southwest Baggage Rules for International Flights
Southwest follows the same basic carry-on and checked-bag size limits for international and domestic flights. However, customs procedures, baggage fees, and destination restrictions can differ on international trips.
Seasonal Baggage Restrictions
Some international destinations have seasonal restrictions on extra, oversized, or overweight bags. These limits can apply even when you are willing to pay the extra fees.
Baggage and U.S. Customs
When returning to the U.S., you generally need to collect your checked bags at your first U.S. airport, clear Customs and Border Protection, and then re-check the bags for your connecting flight. U.S. preclearance airports may follow a different process.
Duty-Free Liquids
Duty-free liquids bought abroad may be allowed through security when properly sealed and packaged. If you have a U.S. connection and must go through TSA again, follow TSA rules for liquids and keep qualifying duty-free items in their sealed security bag.
Pets on International Flights
Southwest does not allow its regular pet program on international flights. Service animals are subject to separate rules and destination requirements.
Conclusion!
Southwest has changed a lot in the past two years with assigned seats and checked bag fees for most passengers. The carry-on policy has stayed the same. You can still bring one free carry-on bag up to 24 × 16 × 10 inches (with no weight limit) plus one personal item on any fare. The best approach for travelers is to pack light and avoid checked bags. Southwest’s larger carry-on size and free personal item still give you more space than most other airlines.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Southwest’s standard carry-on size remains 24 × 16 × 10 inches, including wheels, handles, and attachments. A new 2026 rule limits each customer to one power bank, which must be carried in the cabin and cannot exceed 100 Wh.
No official weight limit exists, though you must be able to lift your bag into the overhead bin yourself.
Yes. Even with checked bag fees now in place, the carry-on bag and personal item remain free across every fare type, including Basic fares.
It will be gate-checked, typically without an added fee, and returned to you at baggage claim rather than the jet bridge.
No official dimensions are published, but a practical maximum of about 16.25 x 13.5 x 8 inches is the safe standard most travelers use.
Southwest offers two free checked bags (up to 50 lbs and 62 linear inches each) on select fare classes (Choice Extra) for Rapid Rewards credit cardholders, A-List/A-List Preferred elites, and active-duty military. Standard fares incur fees for checked bags.
To avoid checked-bag fees, travel with only the free carry-on and personal item allowed onboard.