This guide is for anyone buying a carry-on suitcase, or checking whether the one they own will pass at the gate.
The size printed on a suitcase tag isn’t always the size an airline measures. Check your airline’s policy, then measure the bag the way you’ll travel with it: packed, with wheels, handles and any expansion zipper included.
The quick answer
American Airlines lists a maximum carry-on size of 22 × 14 × 9 inches, including handles and wheels.1 Delta lists the same 22 × 14 × 9 inches, handle and wheels included.2 That size is common, but it isn’t universal. Other airlines, fares and aircraft can be stricter, so check every carrier on your itinerary.
What the rules say
| Source | Carry-on reference | Keep in mind |
|---|---|---|
| American Airlines | 22 × 14 × 9 in, handles and wheels included1 | The personal item is a separate allowance: 18 × 14 × 8 in |
| Delta Air Lines | 22 × 14 × 9 in, handle and wheels included2 | Check your specific flight and fare |
| FAA | 45 linear inches for most airlines3 | A general reference. The airline’s own limit is what counts |
22 × 14 × 9 inches is about 56 × 36 × 23 cm. Linear inches means length plus width plus height (22 + 14 + 9 = 45).
How to measure your bag before checkout
- Close the suitcase and push the telescoping handle all the way down.
- Measure height from the floor to the highest point, wheels included.
- Measure width at the widest point, including side handles and bumpers.
- Measure depth with the pockets packed and the expansion zipper the way you’ll use it.
- Compare each dimension with the airline’s limit, not just the total.
For a soft-sided bag, pack it before you measure. An expansion panel can turn a bag that fits into one that doesn’t.
Hard shell, soft-sided or underseat bag?
| Type | Why consider it | Check first |
|---|---|---|
| Hard shell | Holds its shape, so the outside size stays the same | Overall dimensions, wheel and handle build |
| Soft-sided | Outside pockets help with organizing | Pockets can bulge past the limit when full |
| Underseat bag | Counts as your personal item, not your carry-on | American lists 18 × 14 × 8 in for a personal item that fits under the seat1 |
What to compare besides size
Look at empty weight, handle feel, wheel type, zipper quality, inside compartments, how easy it is to repair and the warranty. For trips with connections, plan for the strictest airline on the route. And if the bag you already own fits, you don’t need a new one.
What if the overhead bins are full?
Even a bag that meets the size limit can be checked at the gate, especially on smaller planes or full flights. Keep travel documents, medicine and valuables with you. Spare lithium batteries and power banks must come out of a gate-checked bag; see our power bank guide before you pack.
Before you order
- Check the limits for every airline on your trip.
- Use the outside dimensions, wheels and handles included.
- Measure the bag packed, not empty.
- Keep the personal-item allowance separate.
- Check whether a bag you already own fits.
Sources & method
How we researched this
- This is a research-based guide, not a hands-on product test.
- Every measurement and safety figure is attributed to the source it comes from. Where we give our own advice, we say so.
- We don’t rank or recommend specific products in this guide.
Sources
- Carry-on bags, American Airlines. Accessed Nov 9, 2026.
- Carry-On Baggage, Delta Air Lines. Accessed Nov 9, 2026.
- Baggage, Federal Aviation Administration. Accessed Nov 9, 2026.
Review history
- Published Nov 9, 2026.