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United Airlines Carry-On Size 2026 22 x 14 x 9"

By Caden SorensonVerified Oct 2026Sourced from the official United Airlines policy

Exact United Airlines carry-on dimensions, weight limits, and fees for 2026.

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On this page
  1. Quick answer
  2. United Airlines dimensions
  3. Weight limit
  4. Carry-on fee
  5. Bag fit matrix
  6. Fare class breakdown
  7. Overhead bin size
  8. Avoiding gate-check
  9. What counts as a personal item
  10. Common mistakes
  11. Gate-check process
  12. vs American Airlines
  13. Checked bag fees
  14. Special items
  15. Basic economy
  16. Bag through-check partners
  17. FAQ
  18. Sources

Quick answer

United Airlines carry-on bags can be up to 22 x 14 x 9" (56 x 35 x 23 cm), with no published weight limit, and no carry-on fee except on the Basic Economy fare, which includes a personal item only on some routes.

  • Carry-on size: up to 22 x 14 x 9" (56 x 35 x 23 cm)
  • Weight limit: no published weight limit
  • Carry-on fee: free except on the Basic Economy fare (personal item only on some routes)
  • Personal item: up to 17 x 10 x 9" (43 x 25 x 22 cm), free on every fare
  • Gate-check risk: Medium
  • Last verified: Oct 2026
United Airlines carry-on maximum size, 22 x 14 x 9 inches (56 x 35 x 23 cm)22" (56 cm)9" (23 cm)14"(35 cm)LHW
United Airlines maximum carry-on dimensions, including wheels and handles.

Carry-On Bag

Max dimensions (in)
22 x 14 x 9"
Max dimensions (cm)
56 x 35 x 23 cm
Weight limit
No published limit
Fee
Free
Gate-check risk
Medium

Basic Economy passengers are limited to a personal item only, with no full carry-on, except on flights to South America, across the Atlantic, or across the Pacific. MileagePlus Premier members, primary cardmembers of qualifying MileagePlus cards, and Star Alliance Gold members can bring a carry-on in Basic Economy.

Personal Item

Max dimensions (in)
17 x 10 x 9"
Max dimensions (cm)
43 x 25 x 22 cm
Included
Yes, free
Weight
Not published

Must fit under the seat in front of you.

See checked bag fees & more

Does your bag fit on United Airlines?

Check it against every airline

Alliance and loyalty

Alliance
Star Alliance
Loyalty program
MileagePlus
Official partner airlines

United Airlines carry-on dimensions and bag size

The maximum United Airlines carry-on size is 22 x 14 x 9 inches, or 56 x 35 x 23 cm as United Airlines publishes it. These measurements include wheels, handles, and any external pockets, so a bag marketed as "22 inch" can go over if its wheels push the total past 22 inches. Always measure your bag packed, not empty.

United Airlines carry-on weight limit

United Airlines does not publish a specific carry-on weight limit for domestic travel. Our guidance: pack it light enough that you can lift the bag into the overhead bin yourself.

Does United Airlines charge for carry-on bags?

No. United Airlines includes a free carry-on bag plus a free personal item on every fare except the Basic Economy fare, which includes a personal item only on some routes. Check your specific fare rules before you book.

What bags fit as a United Airlines personal item

Common bag types compared against the United Airlines personal item limit. Sizes are typical retail dimensions and vary by brand.

Bag typeTypical sizeOn United Airlines
Standard backpack
Everyday daypack, laptop backpack
18 x 13 x 8"Too big
Tote bag
Canvas or leather tote
15 x 14 x 5"Too big
Laptop bag
Messenger or slim briefcase
16 x 12 x 4"Too big
Small duffel
Gym or weekender
18 x 11 x 11"Too big
Purse
Handbag or crossbody
12 x 10 x 5"Fits
Under-seat roller
Mini wheeled bag
16 x 14 x 8"Too big

United Airlines carry-on by fare class

FareCarry-onPersonal itemNotes
Basic Economy (domestic)Not includedIncludedPersonal item only, 17x10x9; a carry-on triggers a gate fee.
Basic Economy (transatlantic / transpacific / South America)IncludedIncludedFull carry-on allowed on these international routes.
EconomyIncludedIncludedStandard one carry-on plus one personal item.
Economy PlusIncludedIncludedExtra legroom, same bag allowance as Economy.
United First / Business / PolarisIncludedIncludedPriority boarding and guaranteed bin access.

United Airlines overhead bin size by aircraft

United Express flights on CRJ-200 and Embraer 145 regional jets cannot accommodate a 22x14x9 carry-on in the cabin. Those bags are valet-tagged at the jet bridge and returned planeside for free. Mainline 737 MAX, A319, A320, 757, 767, 777 and 787 aircraft fit the standard carry-on, with larger bins on reconfigured 737 MAX fleets.

Avoiding gate-check on United Airlines

United's Basic Economy carry-on restriction is waived for MileagePlus Premier Silver, Gold, Platinum and 1K members, and for primary cardholders of most United co-brand cards including the Explorer, Quest, Club and Presidential Plus. If you plan to fly Basic Economy domestically without status or a card, either upgrade the fare or pay the gate-check fee in advance. Boarding otherwise runs from Group 1 global services down to Group 6 for Basic Economy.

What counts as a personal item on United Airlines

Allowed

  • Purse
  • Laptop bag
  • Small backpack
  • Briefcase
  • Small tote
  • Diaper bag

Counts as a second carry-on

  • Full-size roller bag on domestic Basic Economy
  • Large duffel exceeding 17x10x9
  • Standard carry-on spinner on domestic Basic Economy
  • Oversized shopping bag

Common United Airlines carry-on mistakes

  • Booking domestic Basic Economy and showing up with a roller bag, you will be turned back to the counter and charged.
  • Assuming transcontinental Hawaii flights count as international Basic Economy, they do not, Hawaii is domestic for this rule.
  • Using a United co-brand authorized user card to try to clear Basic Economy, only the primary cardholder's account waives the restriction.
  • Packing a personal item larger than 17x10x9, United's personal item limit is smaller than Delta's or American's.
  • Expecting free gate-check if caught at the gate on Basic Economy, there is a handling surcharge on top of the checked bag fee.

What happens if your bag does not fit on United Airlines

If a domestic Basic Economy passenger arrives at the gate with a full-size carry-on, United charges the applicable checked bag fee plus a gate handling surcharge and tags the bag to final destination. On regional jets, valet tags are free and the bag returns planeside. Specific dollar amounts vary by route, check United's optional services fee chart before traveling.

United Airlines vs American Airlines carry-on

United and American use the same 22x14x9 carry-on dimensions, but United's domestic Basic Economy is personal-item-only while American still includes a full carry-on in Basic Economy. American's personal item dimension is 18x14x8, noticeably more generous than United's 17x10x9. Status and co-brand credit cards matter far more on United, where they literally unlock the overhead bin on cheap fares. For the cheapest fare shopper, American is the easier carrier, United rewards loyalty.

See American Airlines carry-on size
United Airlines checked baggage fees
Domestic economy
1st bag$45
2nd bag$55
Long-haul / international
1st bagNot published
Weight limit50 lb
Linear dim62 in
Overweight & oversize
51–70 lb$100
71–100 lb$200
63–80 in$200

Domestic economy: $45 first / $55 second bag when prepaid online at least 24 hours before departure; $50 / $60 at the airport. Bags over 100 lb or 115 linear inches are not accepted.

Ways to skip the United Airlines checked bag fee

  1. Pack carry-on only. Confirm your bag fits the United Airlines carry-on size.
  2. Check your MileagePlus status. See whether your tier includes a free checked bag on United Airlines.
United Airlines special items & sports equipment
Ski / snowboard
As a checked bagsee details below
Golf clubs
As a checked bagsee details below
Bicycle
As a checked bagsee details below
Pet in cabin
$150
Pet as cargo
Not published

Musical instruments: Small instruments in a hard case can be brought on board; one counts as your carry-on in the overhead bin or as your personal item under the seat. Larger instruments can be checked within the standard allowance or booked in a separate seat.

Golf clubs, ski and snowboard sets, and bicycles count toward your checked bag allowance. United charges no oversize fee for golf bags or ski and snowboard equipment and waives oversize fees on properly packed bicycles; overweight fees still apply (ski sets over 50 lb). Pet-in-cabin fee is $150 each way; cats and dogs only, with no weight or breed limit. Soft-sided carriers max 11 x 18 x 11 in, hard-sided 9 x 17.5 x 12 in. Up to 2 pets per person with a second seat purchased (1 pet per person on A319, A320, A321neo, 737-800, 737-8 (MAX 8), 737-900 and 737-9 (MAX 9) aircraft).

United Airlines basic economy restrictions
Basic EconomyUnited Airlines' lowest fare tier
Carry-on allowed
No
Personal item allowed
Yes
Checked bag surcharge
$45
  • Personal item only on most domestic routes (no full carry-on)
  • No seat selection until check-in
  • Last boarding group
  • No changes or refunds
  • No upgrades
Does my checked bag transfer to United Airlines' partner airlines?

Yes, on a single ticket. United Airlines holds checked-bag interline agreements with 154 airlines, so when your itinerary is booked as one ticket your bag is through-checked to the final destination on any of those carriers. You collect it once, at the end, not at the connecting airport. If your onward flight is on a carrier not on this list, or the two legs are on separate tickets, you must claim the bag at the connection, clear customs where required, and re-check it yourself, so allow extra connection time.

Through-check partners we cover (47 of 154):

Plus 107 more partner airlines not yet profiled on this site.

United Airlines also files e-ticket interline with 137 carriers, which lets two airlines sell a single through-ticket. Through-checked bags depend on the baggage agreement above, not the e-ticket count. Interline partners verified May 2026 from ExpertFlyer, Travel Information, Interline Agreements (Premium tier).

Frequently asked questions

What is the United Airlines carry-on size limit?

United Airlines allows carry-on bags up to 22 x 14 x 9" (56 x 35 x 23 cm), including wheels, handles, and any external pockets. There is no published weight limit.

What are the United Airlines carry-on dimensions in cm?

The United Airlines carry-on size limit in centimeters is 56 x 35 x 23 cm. United Airlines publishes the inch size as 22 x 14 x 9". Both measurements include wheels, handles, and external pockets.

What is the United Airlines carry-on weight limit?

United Airlines does not publish a carry-on weight limit for domestic travel. Our guidance: pack it light enough that you can lift the bag into the overhead bin yourself.

Does United Airlines charge for carry-on bags?

No. United Airlines includes a free carry-on bag plus a free personal item on every fare except the Basic Economy fare, which includes a personal item only on some routes.

What is the United Airlines personal item size?

The personal item on United Airlines must fit within 17 x 10 x 9" (43 x 25 x 22 cm) and slide fully under the seat in front of you. Must fit under the seat in front of you.

Will my bag be gate-checked on United Airlines?

Our guidance rates the gate-check risk on United Airlines as Medium. It is our own rating, not a figure United Airlines publishes. Arrive early in your boarding group to improve the odds of space in the overhead bins.

Can I bring a carry-on on United Airlines Basic Economy?

It depends on the route. Personal item only on most domestic routes (no full carry-on).

Does a 22-inch suitcase fit as a United Airlines carry-on?

Usually yes. A standard 22 x 14 x 9 inch carry-on suitcase fits within the United Airlines carry-on limit of 22 x 14 x 9" (56 x 35 x 23 cm). Confirm your specific bag measures under the limit with wheels and handles included.

Does a backpack count as a personal item on United Airlines?

Only a small one. A standard daypack (roughly 18 x 13 x 8 inches) is larger than the United Airlines personal item limit of 17 x 10 x 9" (43 x 25 x 22 cm). A backpack within that limit counts as the personal item, and a bigger one counts as the carry-on.

Is there a weight limit for personal items on United Airlines?

United Airlines does not publish a weight limit for personal items. The personal item must fit under the seat in front of you, within 17 x 10 x 9" (43 x 25 x 22 cm).

How much does a checked bag cost on United Airlines?

The first checked bag on United Airlines costs $45 for domestic economy. A second bag costs $55. International fares and premium cabins may include free checked bags.

What are the United Airlines overweight and oversize bag fees?

United Airlines charges $100 for bags weighing 51 to 70 lb, $200 for 71 to 100 lb, and $200 for bags measuring 63 to 80 linear inches. Bags over 100 lb or 80 inches are generally refused.

Will my checked bag transfer to United Airlines' partner airlines?

On a single ticket, yes. United Airlines has checked-bag interline agreements with 154 airlines, so your bag is through-checked to your final destination and you collect it only at the end. If your connecting flight is on a carrier without an agreement, or the legs are booked on separate tickets, you must claim and re-check the bag at the connection yourself.

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Sources

Facts, costs, and travel details in this carry-on guide were verified against the following sources. See our research methodology for how we vet and update data.

If a figure looks wrong, email hello@vient.org, see how we handle corrections, or browse past fixes in our public changelog.

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