Will the airline let my carry on luggage on?
Ever wonder if your bag will fit in the overhead bin of the plane you are about to fly on, or worse if the airline will allow your carryon bag onto the plane? Will they force you to check your luggage? This is why I have created the tool below. You can either select your luggage from the list of common manufacturers and models of luggage below, or you can measure the length, width, and depth of your luggage in centimeters and input it into the boxes below. From there you can either select your airline, or leave the airline empty to see a list of airlines that will allow your luggage on as a carry on.
The easiest way to measure your bag is to lay it on a flat surface. Measure the top of the bag. The longest measurement will be the height and the other the width. Now from the bottom of the bag to the top measure that, and that will be the depth of the bag.
Why Airline Carry-On Limits Exist
Overhead bin space is finite. Most commercial aircraft have bins sized for a specific number of bags per row, and when everyone boards with a full-size carry-on, space runs out fast. Airlines enforce size limits to ensure bags physically fit — and to manage the boarding process when they don't.
What Happens If Your Bag Is Too Large
At the gate, an oversized carry-on gets checked — sometimes free, sometimes with a fee depending on the airline. The bag then travels in the hold and you collect it at baggage claim. On smaller regional aircraft the limits are often stricter than the airline's published policy because the overhead bins are genuinely smaller.
Size Limits Vary More Than You'd Think
Most major international airlines allow carry-ons up to around 56 x 45 x 25 cm (22 x 18 x 10 inches), but the exact dimensions vary. Budget airlines — especially in Europe — often have stricter limits and some charge extra for larger carry-ons entirely. Always check the specific airline's current policy before your trip. The tool below uses current verified dimensions for each airline in the list.
Tips for Carry-On Travel
- Soft-sided bags can often squeeze into overhead bins even when slightly over the limit — hard-shell bags cannot flex
- Pack heavier items at the bottom to keep the bag balanced
- Rolling clothes rather than folding compresses them and reduces wrinkles
- Keep liquids in an accessible pouch to save time at security
These were last verified on: 23 April 2025