Airline baggage rules change with every carrier, which is what makes packing confusing. A carry-on that flies free on Delta can cost extra on Frontier, and a checked bag that’s included on one airline runs a fee on another. Use the finder below to check carry-on and checked sizes, weight limits, and bag fees for your airline, then confirm on its official page before you fly.

How Airline Baggage Rules Work

Most airlines split your luggage into three buckets: a personal item, a carry-on, and checked bags. The personal item is almost always free and has to fit under the seat in front of you. The carry-on goes in the overhead bin, and it’s where airlines differ most, since budget carriers often charge for it. Checked bags have their own size and weight caps, and that’s where the bigger fees usually live.

The common US standard for a carry-on is 22 by 14 by 9 inches. Most checked bags top out at 62 linear inches (length plus width plus height) and 50 pounds. Those are starting points, not guarantees, so the finder above shows where each airline actually lands. The TSA also sets what you can pack in each bag, so it’s worth checking TSA’s What Can I Bring guidance alongside your airline’s size limits. For a deeper look at the big bag, see our checked baggage size guide.

How to Measure Your Carry-On

The size on a luggage tag is the bag empty and flat. Airlines measure the whole thing. Run your tape to the widest points and include the wheels, the handles, and any side pockets, because those all count toward the limit. A bag listed as 22 inches can measure 24 once you add the wheels, and that’s the difference between a free overhead bin and a gate check.

If you’re shopping for a bag that won’t get flagged, look for one that lists its size with the wheels included. A cheap luggage scale also saves you from overweight fees at the counter. Here’s our walkthrough on how to weigh your luggage before a flight, and a full luggage size guide if you’re still choosing a bag.

Why Baggage Fees Change So Often

Bag fees move around a lot. They shift by route, by fare type, by how early you add the bag, and by whether you pay online or at the airport. Elite status and some travel credit cards waive them entirely. That’s why this guide shows a simple free or paid signal instead of a dollar amount that would be wrong a month later. For the exact price, use the official link next to your airline, since that page always shows the current fee.

Are Airline Baggage Rules Different for International Flights?

Often, yes. The 62 linear inch checked rule shows up internationally too, but many overseas carriers use weight-based allowances and cap your carry-on by weight, not just size. Allowances also change by route, cabin, and fare. If your trip crosses borders, check your exact airline in the finder above, and read our guide to the personal item size rules by airline before you pack a second bag.