Personal-item bag · 13.4 × 7.5 × 5.9 in (34 × 19 × 15 cm)
Fits 6.4 cm (2.5 in) to spare on the width
Bags that fit United Airlines
United Airlines' free personal item is 17 × 10 × 9 in (43 × 25 × 22 cm). The carry-on limit is 22 × 14 × 9 in (56 × 35 × 23 cm). We checked 1,046 bags against both, using each brand's own published size. Wheels count; soft bags get no more than 1 cm of squeeze.
Rules checked 5 October 2026 · United Airlines rules and fares
Personal item: 8 fit, 37 tight
Personal-item bag (5)
Personal-item bag · 11 × 8.9 × 4.9 in (28 × 22.5 × 12.5 cm)
Fits 2.9 cm (1.1 in) to spare on the width
Personal-item bag · 16.1 × 7.9 × 5.1 in (40.9 × 20.1 × 13 cm)
Fits 2.3 cm (0.9 in) to spare on the length
Personal-item bag · 15.8 × 9.1 × 3.2 in (40.1 × 23.1 × 8.1 cm)
Fits 2.3 cm (0.9 in) to spare on the width
Personal-item bag · 16.1 × 7.9 × 4.7 in (41 × 20 × 11.9 cm)
Fits 2.2 cm (0.9 in) to spare on the length
Duffel / weekender (2)
Duffel / weekender · 14.5 × 9.3 × 6.8 in (36.8 × 23.5 × 17.1 cm)
Fits 1.9 cm (0.7 in) to spare on the width
Duffel / weekender · 41 × 24 × 16 cm (16.1 × 9.4 × 6.3 in)
Fits 1.4 cm (0.6 in) to spare on the width
Tote (1)
Tote · 12 × 8 × 7 in (30 × 20 × 17 cm)
Fits 5.4 cm (2.1 in) to spare on the width
Tight: within 1 cm on at least one side
These pass only if you pack them flat or the bag gives a little. Hard-shell bags in this list are exactly at the limit.
Duffel / weekender · 16 × 10 × 7.1 in (40.6 × 25.4 × 18 cm)
Tight exactly at the limit on the width
Personal-item bag · 40 × 25 × 20 cm (15.7 × 9.8 × 7.9 in)
Tight 0.4 cm (0.2 in) to spare on the width
Personal-item bag · 40 × 25 × 20 cm (15.7 × 9.8 × 7.9 in)
Tight 0.4 cm (0.2 in) to spare on the width
Duffel / weekender · 40 × 25 × 20 cm (15.7 × 9.8 × 7.9 in)
Tight 0.4 cm (0.2 in) to spare on the width
Personal-item bag · 40 × 25 × 20 cm (15.7 × 9.8 × 7.9 in)
Tight 0.4 cm (0.2 in) to spare on the width
Personal-item bag · 40 × 25 × 20 cm (15.7 × 9.8 × 7.9 in)
Tight 0.4 cm (0.2 in) to spare on the width
Under-seat roller · 40 × 25 × 20 cm (15.7 × 9.8 × 7.9 in)
Tight 0.4 cm (0.2 in) to spare on the width; we added 2 cm for wheels because the brand doesn’t say they’re included
Personal-item bag · 40 × 25 × 20 cm (15.7 × 9.8 × 7.9 in)
Tight 0.4 cm (0.2 in) to spare on the width
Carry-on: 125 fit
Duffel / weekender (38)
Duffel / weekender · 16.5 × 10.6 × 7.9 in (41.9 × 26.9 × 20.1 cm)
Fits 2.8 cm (1.1 in) to spare on the depth
Duffel / weekender · 16.9 × 13.2 × 8.1 in (42.9 × 33.5 × 20.6 cm)
Fits 2 cm (0.8 in) to spare on the width
Duffel / weekender · 16.3 × 11.2 × 7.2 in (41.4 × 28.4 × 18.3 cm)
Fits 4.6 cm (1.8 in) to spare on the depth
Duffel / weekender · 16 × 10 × 7.1 in (40.6 × 25.4 × 18 cm)
Fits 4.8 cm (1.9 in) to spare on the depth
Duffel / weekender · 20 × 12.8 × 7.9 in (50.8 × 32.5 × 20.1 cm)
Fits 2.8 cm (1.1 in) to spare on the depth
Duffel / weekender · 17.7 × 11 × 7.9 in (45 × 27.9 × 20.1 cm)
Fits 2.8 cm (1.1 in) to spare on the depth
Duffel / weekender · 40 × 30 × 15 cm (15.7 × 11.8 × 5.9 in)
Fits 5.6 cm (2.2 in) to spare on the width
Duffel / weekender · 40 × 30 × 20 cm (15.7 × 11.8 × 7.9 in)
Fits 2.9 cm (1.1 in) to spare on the depth
Duffel / weekender · 40 × 25 × 20 cm (15.7 × 9.8 × 7.9 in)
Fits 2.9 cm (1.1 in) to spare on the depth
Duffel / weekender · 40 × 25 × 20 cm (15.7 × 9.8 × 7.9 in)
Fits 2.9 cm (1.1 in) to spare on the depth
Duffel / weekender · 40 × 30 × 20 cm (15.7 × 11.8 × 7.9 in)
Fits 2.9 cm (1.1 in) to spare on the depth
Duffel / weekender · 40 × 30 × 20 cm (15.7 × 11.8 × 7.9 in)
Fits 2.9 cm (1.1 in) to spare on the depth
Travel backpack (83)
Travel backpack · 16.9 × 13 × 7.9 in (43 × 33 × 20 cm)
Fits 2.6 cm (1 in) to spare on the width
Travel backpack · 16.9 × 11.8 × 6.3 in (43 × 30 × 16 cm)
Fits 5.6 cm (2.2 in) to spare on the width
Travel backpack · 18.1 × 12.2 × 7.1 in (46 × 31 × 18 cm)
Fits 4.6 cm (1.8 in) to spare on the width
Travel backpack · 18.1 × 12.2 × 7.1 in (46 × 31 × 18 cm)
Fits 4.6 cm (1.8 in) to spare on the width
Travel backpack · 18.7 × 12.6 × 6.7 in (47.5 × 32 × 17 cm)
Fits 3.6 cm (1.4 in) to spare on the width
Travel backpack · 15.4 × 11.6 × 7.9 in (39 × 29.5 × 20 cm)
Fits 2.9 cm (1.1 in) to spare on the depth
Travel backpack · 17.7 × 12.2 × 7.9 in (45 × 31 × 20 cm)
Fits 2.9 cm (1.1 in) to spare on the depth
Travel backpack · 18.1 × 12.2 × 7.9 in (46 × 31 × 20 cm)
Fits 2.9 cm (1.1 in) to spare on the depth
Travel backpack · 18.1 × 12.2 × 7.9 in (46 × 31 × 20 cm)
Fits 2.9 cm (1.1 in) to spare on the depth
Travel backpack · 15.4 × 11.6 × 7.9 in (39 × 29.5 × 20 cm)
Fits 2.9 cm (1.1 in) to spare on the depth
Travel backpack · 17.7 × 12.2 × 7.9 in (45 × 31 × 20 cm)
Fits 2.9 cm (1.1 in) to spare on the depth
Travel backpack · 18 × 13 × 8 in (45.7 × 33 × 20.3 cm)
Fits 2.5 cm (1 in) to spare on the width
Carry-on suitcase (4)
Carry-on suitcase · 20 × 13.5 × 8.3 in (50.8 × 34.3 × 21 cm)
Fits 1.3 cm (0.5 in) to spare on the width; we added 2 cm for wheels because the brand doesn’t say they’re included
Carry-on suitcase · 20.8 × 13 × 8.3 in (52.7 × 33 × 21 cm)
Fits 1.2 cm (0.5 in) to spare on the length; we added 2 cm for wheels because the brand doesn’t say they’re included
Carry-on suitcase · 20.8 × 13 × 8.3 in (52.7 × 33 × 21 cm)
Fits 1.2 cm (0.5 in) to spare on the length; we added 2 cm for wheels because the brand doesn’t say they’re included
Carry-on suitcase · 20.8 × 13 × 8.3 in (52.7 × 33 × 21 cm)
Fits 1.2 cm (0.5 in) to spare on the length; we added 2 cm for wheels because the brand doesn’t say they’re included
Not on the list? Check your own bag
Bag sizes are the brands' published dimensions, read from their own product pages on 5 October 2026; we don't measure bags ourselves. Airline staff have the final say at the gate. Links to brand stores may earn us a commission (disclosure).