United Airlines carry-on size 2026: personal item and carry-on by fare
What can I take on board for free? United Airlines free personal item: 9 x 10 x 17 in (22 x 25 x 43 cm) under the seat
Carry-on bag (overhead locker): 9 x 14 x 22 in (23 x 35 x 56 cm) – only with some fares, cabins or as a paid extra.
Official source: United Airlines: Carry-on bags · checked on 18 October 2026 (read in a browser)
Airlines change their bag rules and measure bags their own way (usually in a sizer at the airport, with wheels and handles). We quote each airline's official page on the date shown; the official rule and the airline staff decide. Check your booking before you fly.
United Airlines bags you can take on board
| Bag | Where | Max size | Weight | Included |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Personal item | Under the seat | 9 x 10 x 17 in (22 x 25 x 43 cm) | not stated | Free with every fare |
| Carry-on bag | Overhead locker | 9 x 14 x 22 in (23 x 35 x 56 cm) | not stated | Only with some fares, cabins or as a paid extra |
Sizes in the order United Airlines writes them. “≈” marks our conversion; the other figures are United Airlines' own.
What United Airlines' official page says
Personal item
These items must fit under the seat in front of you, so they must be 9 in x 10 in x 17 in (22 cm x 25 cm x 43 cm). Common things include purses, backpacks and laptop bags.
Carry-on bag
Your carry-on bag must fit in the overhead bin, so it must be 9 in x 14 in x 22 in (23 cm x 35 cm x 56 cm). When measuring your bag, be sure to include the handle and wheels.
Official source: United Airlines: Carry-on bags · checked on 18 October 2026 (read in a browser)
Cabin bag by fare
| Fare | Under the seat | Overhead locker |
|---|---|---|
| Basic Economy (most trips) | Included | Not included (except some long-haul routes) |
| Other fares | Included | Included (CommutAir flights: one personal item only) |
Our short summary of the official wording below.
For most trips you can only bring one personal item when you’re flying in Basic Economy. You can’t bring a carry-on bag unless you’re flying to South America, across the Atlantic or across the Pacific. All other bags have to be checked.
Make sure your bags meet our size limits before you get to the airport. You can bring one carry-on bag and one personal item on your flight if you’re not traveling in Basic Economy.
If you’re flying CommutAir, you’re only allowed one personal item.
If your bag is too big
Any bags in addition to your carry-on and personal item, or carry-on bags over the size limit, will need to be checked. If you do have to check bags you may have to pay a fee.
Questions about United Airlines cabin bags
Every answer below is quoted word for word from United Airlines' official page, not written by us.
What size personal item can I bring for free on United Airlines?
These items must fit under the seat in front of you, so they must be 9 in x 10 in x 17 in (22 cm x 25 cm x 43 cm). Common things include purses, backpacks and laptop bags.
What is the United Airlines carry-on size limit?
Your carry-on bag must fit in the overhead bin, so it must be 9 in x 14 in x 22 in (23 cm x 35 cm x 56 cm). When measuring your bag, be sure to include the handle and wheels.
Is a carry-on bag included in every United Airlines fare?
For most trips you can only bring one personal item when you’re flying in Basic Economy. You can’t bring a carry-on bag unless you’re flying to South America, across the Atlantic or across the Pacific. All other bags have to be checked.
Make sure your bags meet our size limits before you get to the airport. You can bring one carry-on bag and one personal item on your flight if you’re not traveling in Basic Economy.
If you’re flying CommutAir, you’re only allowed one personal item.
Does United Airlines check the size of cabin bags?
Any bags in addition to your carry-on and personal item, or carry-on bags over the size limit, will need to be checked. If you do have to check bags you may have to pay a fee.
Official source: United Airlines: Carry-on bags · checked on 18 October 2026 (read in a browser)
Liquids in your United Airlines cabin bag: the 100ml rule
The liquid limit is set by the airport you go through security at, not by United Airlines. At most airports each container in your hand luggage must be 100ml or less; 12 of the 63 airports we track allow up to 2 litres, and some apply different limits at different checkpoints.
The rules for carrying liquids in your hand luggage depend on the airport.
At most airports, you cannot take liquids in containers larger than 100ml through security. This still applies if the container is only part full.
Quoted from Hand luggage restrictions at UK airports – Liquids · checked on 10 October 2026. Licence: Open Government Licence v3.0.
Liquid rules at 63 airports, quoted from their official pages
Does my bag fit United Airlines?
Check your own bag against United Airlines and 27 other airlines with the bag size checker. Common bag sizes:
Other airlines (North America)
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Cabin bag size by airline · EU free personal item rule · Liquids rules by airport