Luggage Sizes: Suitcase Dimensions from Carry-On to Extra Large
Suitcases are sold by a single number, such as 20, 24 or 28 inches, but airlines judge them on three dimensions and a weight. This chart translates each luggage size into real measurements, capacity in liters and the airline limit it has to meet.
A standard carry-on suitcase is 22 × 14 × 9 in (56 × 36 × 23 cm) including wheels and handles. Checked bags on most airlines may measure up to 62 linear inches (158 cm), meaning length + width + height, and weigh up to 50 lb (23 kg) in economy. Medium checked suitcases are 24–26 in tall and large ones 27–29 in.
- Carry-on
- 22 × 14 × 9 in
- Medium checked
- 24–26 in tall
- Large checked
- 27–29 in tall
- Checked bag limit
- 62 in / 50 lb
On this page
Luggage size chart
Suitcase sizes are named after their height, the longest side. The other two dimensions follow from the airline limit the bag is designed for, so most brands land within an inch of each other. The capacity column is the space you can actually pack, which is 10 to 20 percent less than the box volume of the outer dimensions because wheels, the handle tube and the shell take the rest.
| Size (label) | Dimensions (in) | Dimensions (cm) | Linear total | Packing capacity | Travels as |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Underseat (16–18 in) | 16–18 × 13–14 × 8–9 | 41–46 × 33–36 × 20–23 | 37–41 in | 20–30 L | Personal item on some airlines |
| International carry-on (20–21 in) | 20–21.5 × 14–15.5 × 8–9 | 51–55 × 36–40 × 20–23 | 42–46 in | 30–42 L | Carry-on worldwide |
| Domestic carry-on (22 in) | 22 × 14 × 9 | 56 × 36 × 23 | 45 in | 35–42 L | Carry-on in the US |
| Medium checked (24–26 in) | 24–26 × 16–18 × 10–11 | 61–66 × 41–46 × 25–28 | 50–55 in | 55–75 L | Checked |
| Large checked (27–29 in) | 27–29 × 19–20 × 11–12 | 69–74 × 48–51 × 28–30 | 57–61 in | 75–100 L | Checked |
| Extra large (30–32 in) | 30–32 × 20–21 × 12–13 | 76–81 × 51–53 × 30–33 | 62–66 in | 95–125 L | Checked, often oversize |
The numbers in a product name are rarely exact. One brand's "24-inch" case measures 24 in without wheels and 26 in with them; another calls a 26-inch case "medium". Read the full dimensions in the listing, and make sure they include wheels and handles, because that is how airlines measure.
Checked bag size and weight limits
For checked luggage, airlines add the three dimensions together. The near-universal limit is 62 linear inches (158 cm). A 28 × 20 × 12 in suitcase totals 60 in and passes; a 32 × 21 × 13 in suitcase totals 66 in and is oversize, even though no single side looks extreme.
| Limit | Imperial | Metric | What happens above it |
|---|---|---|---|
| Size | 62 linear in | 158 cm | Oversize fee; very large items may be refused and sent as cargo |
| Weight, economy | 50 lb | 23 kg | Overweight fee on US airlines from 51 lb |
| Weight, premium cabins | 70 lb | 32 kg | The usual allowance in business and first class |
| Absolute per-bag maximum | 100 lb (US airlines) | 32 kg (UK and EU airports) | Must be split or shipped as cargo |
The weight is where most travelers get caught. A large suitcase that weighs 12 lb (5.4 kg) empty leaves 38 lb (17.2 kg) for contents before the fee starts. Shoes, toiletries and books fill that quickly, which is why many people who buy a 30-inch case end up paying overweight fees rather than oversize ones.
Airlines measure 23 kg and 50 lb as the same allowance, but they are not identical: 23 kg is 50.7 lb and 50 lb is 22.7 kg. Weigh with a luggage scale and leave a margin of a pound or two, since airport scales and home scales rarely agree to the ounce.
Carry-on luggage size
The carry-on suitcase is the size with the strictest limit, because it has to fit in an overhead bin and through a metal sizer at the gate. In the US, 22 × 14 × 9 in (56 × 36 × 23 cm) is the rule at American, Delta, United, Alaska and JetBlue, while Southwest and Frontier allow 24 × 16 × 10 in. Outside the US, most full-service airlines set about 55 × 40 × 23 cm (21.5 × 15.5 × 9 in), and many add a weight limit of 7 to 10 kg (15 to 22 lb).
A suitcase built to 21.5 × 14 × 9 in fits both systems, which is why many brands sell their "international carry-on" at that size. Our carry-on bag guide covers the 18-, 20-, 21- and 22-inch sizes and what each one holds, and the carry-on rules by airline page lists every major carrier's limits, weight caps and personal-item sizes.
Which suitcase size for how many days
Trip length is a rough guide; climate matters more. Sweaters, boots and coats take far more room than summer clothes, so treat these as warm-weather figures and move up one size for cold-weather trips.
| Trip | Suitcase | Capacity | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1–2 nights | Underseat bag or backpack | 20–30 L | Avoids carry-on fees on basic fares |
| 3–5 nights | Carry-on (20–22 in) | 35–42 L | About a week with laundry or a capsule wardrobe |
| 5–9 nights | Medium (24–26 in) | 55–75 L | The most common checked size |
| 10–14 nights | Large (27–29 in) | 75–100 L | Easy to overfill past 50 lb |
| Over 2 weeks, moves, sports gear | Extra large (30–32 in) or two medium cases | 95 L and up | Two mediums stay within size and weight limits |
Packing cubes do not add capacity, but they compress soft clothing and keep a smaller case organized, which often makes the difference between a carry-on and a checked bag. For a suit or formal dress, a garment bag avoids deep folds.
Hard-shell, soft-sided and duffel luggage
Hard-shell (polycarbonate, aluminum)
- Fixed outer size, so you know exactly what the sizer will measure
- Protects fragile items; usually splits 50/50 into two halves
- Polycarbonate carry-ons are often 6–8 lb (2.7–3.6 kg) empty
Soft-sided (nylon, polyester)
- Exterior pockets add depth that counts toward the limit when full
- Squeezes into a sizer or bin that is slightly tight
- Expansion zips add 1.5–2 in of depth, which takes a carry-on past 9 in
Duffel bags have no rigid frame, so a large duffel can carry more than a suitcase of the same outer size and fold flat when empty. A 100-liter duffel is about 28 × 15 × 15 in, or 58 linear inches. The duffel bag size guide converts duffel liters to dimensions.
Luggage set sizes
Suitcase sets are named by piece count, and the pieces follow the size classes above. Check that the "carry-on" in a set is really 22 in or less including wheels; in some sets it is a 22 in body that measures 23 to 24 in overall.
| Set | Usual sizes | Good for |
|---|---|---|
| 2-piece | Carry-on (20–22 in) + large (27–28 in) | One traveler: weekends in the cabin, long trips checked |
| 3-piece | 20–22 in + 24–26 in + 27–29 in | Couples or families sharing sizes |
| 4-piece | Underseat tote or 18 in case + the three above | Basic fares that include only a personal item |
Other travel bags and their size guides
Not every trip needs a suitcase. These bags have their own size systems, mostly in liters or by what they have to hold.
| Bag | Typical size | Sized by |
|---|---|---|
| Backpack (fit and liters) | 15–30 L daily, 35–45 L travel, 50–80 L backpacking | Capacity and torso length |
| Duffel bag | 30–150 L; 40 L is about 20 × 11 × 11 in | Liters |
| Gym bag | 25–45 L, about 19 × 11 × 10 in at 30 L | Contents and locker width |
| Garment bag | 24 in wide, 40–72 in long | Garment length |
| Messenger bag | About 15 × 11 × 4 in | Laptop width |
| Briefcase | About 16 × 12 × 4 in; attaché 18 × 13 in | Documents and laptop |
| Tote bag | 15 × 16 in flat; 18–20 in wide large | Width and handle drop |
| Camera bag | 3–6 L holster to 20–35 L backpack | Camera and lens dimensions |
How to measure a suitcase
- Stand the case upright on a hard floor, wheels down and the handle fully retracted.
- Measure the height from the floor to the top of the carry handle or the retracted trolley handle, whichever is higher. This includes the wheels.
- Measure the width across the widest point, including side handles and feet.
- Measure the depth from the front of the fullest pocket to the back, including spinner wheel housings. Measure when packed; soft bags grow.
- Add the three numbers to get linear inches for checked-bag limits, and compare each one separately for carry-on limits.
Four-wheel spinner wheels typically add 1 to 1.5 in (2.5 to 4 cm) to a case's height. A suitcase whose body is listed as 22 in is too tall for a 22-inch carry-on limit once you count its wheels.
Storing and transporting luggage
- Nesting: hard-shell sets are designed so the carry-on fits inside the medium and the medium inside the large. Soft cases nest only if the inside of the larger one is at least an inch longer and wider than the smaller case.
- Closet shelf: a standard closet is about 24 in (61 cm) deep, enough for a carry-on lying flat (22 in) but not a large checked case, which needs 28 to 30 in.
- Under a bed: most suitcases lying flat are 9 to 12 in tall, so they need a bed frame with at least 10 to 13 in of clearance. Check against our bed frame dimensions.
- Car trunk: a large case lies flat at 11 to 12 in thick but needs 27 to 29 in of floor length; standing upright it needs that much opening height, which few sedan trunks have. Check the trunk opening as well as the floor.
Day bags have their own size systems: see backpack dimensions by type for school, laptop, hiking and travel packs.
Frequently asked questions
What is the standard luggage size?
There are two standards that matter. For carry-on, 22 × 14 × 9 in (56 × 36 × 23 cm) is accepted by American, Delta, United, Alaska and JetBlue. For checked luggage, the common limit is 62 linear inches (158 cm) and 50 lb (23 kg). Suitcase makers design their carry-on and largest checked models around these two numbers.
Is a 20-inch or 18-inch suitcase a carry-on?
Both are carry-on size. A 20-inch suitcase is usually about 20–21 × 13–14 × 8–9 in overall, which fits the 22 × 14 × 9 in US limit and most 55 × 40 × 20 cm international limits. An 18-inch case is an underseat bag: on many airlines it can travel as a personal item if it fits that airline's under-seat size.
What size suitcase is allowed as checked baggage?
Any suitcase up to 62 linear inches (158 cm) and 50 lb (23 kg) is a standard checked bag on most airlines. That covers suitcases up to about 29–30 in tall. A 32-inch suitcase is usually 64–66 linear inches and costs an oversize fee.
How many liters is a carry-on suitcase?
A 22 × 14 × 9 in box is 45.4 liters, but wheels, the handle tube and the shell take some of that, so most full-size carry-on suitcases hold 35 to 42 liters. Expandable models add 5 to 8 liters when unzipped, which also takes them over the 9-inch depth limit.
What size suitcase do I need for 2 weeks?
A large checked suitcase (27–29 in, about 75–100 liters of packing space) for one person who will not do laundry. With laundry access, a medium 24–26 in case is enough, and some travelers manage two weeks from a carry-on by washing clothes every few days.
How much does an empty suitcase weigh?
Typically 5–9 lb (2.3–4 kg) for a carry-on, 8–11 lb (3.6–5 kg) for a medium and 10–14 lb (4.5–6.4 kg) for a large checked case. Aluminum cases sit at the top of each range. Subtract the empty weight from the 50 lb allowance to see how much you can pack.