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United Airlines Carry-On and Personal Item Size

Checked against United Airlines's baggage pages on October 7, 2026

United Airlines allows a carry-on of up to 9 x 14 x 22 in (23 x 35 x 56 cm), including wheels and handles. The personal item can be up to 9 x 10 x 17 in (22 x 25 x 43 cm). The carry-on is included on most fares but not all: not in Basic Economy, except to South America and across the Atlantic or Pacific.

Bag size, with wheels and handles
AirlinePersonal itemCarry-on
UnitedPersonal item: 1 in over on length (max 17 in); 4 in over on width (max 10 in)Carry-on: FitsNot in Basic Economy, except to South America and across the Atlantic or Pacific
AmericanPersonal item: FitsCarry-on: Fits
DeltaPersonal item: No size publishedCarry-on: Fits
JetBluePersonal item: 1 in over on length (max 17 in); 1 in over on width (max 13 in)Carry-on: Fits

Your longest side is compared with each airline's longest limit, and so on. Weight is checked only where the airline publishes a limit. "No size published" means the bag just has to fit under the seat in front of you.

United Airlines carry-on size

Inches9 x 14 x 22 in
Centimeters23 x 35 x 56 cm
WeightNo limit published
Included?Not in Basic Economy, except to South America and across the Atlantic or Pacific

United Airlines personal item size

Inches9 x 10 x 17 in
Centimeters22 x 25 x 43 cm
WeightNo limit published

Personal item examples from United Airlines: purses, backpacks and laptop bags.

Does United Basic Economy include a carry-on?

Not always.Not in Basic Economy, except to South America and across the Atlantic or Pacific.

  • Basic Economy allows only one personal item on most trips. You can't bring a carry-on bag unless you are flying to South America, across the Atlantic or across the Pacific; everything else has to be checked.
  • Basic Economy passengers can bring a free carry-on if they have MileagePlus Premier status, travel with a Premier member, are the primary cardmember of a qualifying MileagePlus credit card, or are Star Alliance Gold. The United Gateway Card and MileagePlus Select Card don't qualify.
  • Those extra bags are checked for a fee. For tickets bought on or after April 3, 2026, United lists bag fees starting at $45 prepaid, $50 in the airport lobby and $75 at the gate.

More United carry-on rules

  • Measure the carry-on with its handle and wheels. United has bag sizers at the airport.
  • A small purse is not allowed in addition to your personal item and carry-on. A jacket, umbrella, reading material, food bought at the airport, mobility devices, a car seat or stroller, a diaper bag and breast pump, and a camera are free extras.
  • Bags are most often gate checked on United Express. On flights operated by CommutAir, you are allowed only one personal item.

Is a backpack a United personal item?

Yes, if it fits: United Airlines lists backpacks among its personal item examples. Measure it packed, including straps and side pockets, against 9 x 10 x 17 in (22 x 25 x 43 cm). Our travel backpack picks, by their makers' measurements:

BackpackAs personal itemAs carry-on
Peak Design Travel Backpack 45Lstandard (35L), 22 x 13 x 9.5 in5 in over on length (max 17 in); 3 in over on width (max 10 in); 0.5 in over on depth (max 9 in)0.5 in over on depth (max 9 in)
Peak Design Travel Backpack 45Lexpanded (45L), 22 x 13 x 11 in5 in over on length (max 17 in); 3 in over on width (max 10 in); 2 in over on depth (max 9 in)2 in over on depth (max 9 in)
Osprey Farpoint/Fairview Travel Daypackdetachable 15L daypack, 18.1 x 12.2 x 8.3 in1.1 in over on length (max 17 in); 2.2 in over on width (max 10 in)Fits

United vs American vs Delta vs JetBlue carry-on size

AirlinePersonal itemCarry-onFree carry-on?
United9 x 10 x 17 in(22 x 25 x 43 cm)9 x 14 x 22 in(23 x 35 x 56 cm)Not in Basic Economy, except to South America and across the Atlantic or Pacific
American18 x 14 x 8 in(45 x 35 x 20 cm)22 x 14 x 9 in(56 x 36 x 23 cm)All fares, including Basic Economy
DeltaNot published22 x 14 x 9 in(56 x 35 x 23 cm)All fares
JetBlue17 x 13 x 8 in(43.2 x 33 x 20.32 cm)22 x 14 x 9 in(55.88 x 35.56 x 22.86 cm)All fares

Compare every airline, including international carriers, in the carry-on size checker.

Sources

Limits are from each airline's own pages, checked October 7, 2026. Airlines change bag rules often, so check before you fly. Conversions use 1 inch = 2.54 cm. Backpack sizes are from the manufacturers.