What Is a Carry-On?
QUICK ANSWER
A carry-on is the bag you bring into the cabin and store in the overhead bin, as opposed to checking it. It is larger than a personal item, commonly limited to about 22 by 14 by 9 inches. Most fares allow one carry-on plus one personal item.
The carry-on is the bag most travelers rely on to keep their essentials with them and skip the baggage carousel, but its size and rules cause plenty of confusion. Here is what a carry-on is, the typical size limit, what you can pack in it, and how it differs from a personal item and checked luggage.
What is a carry-on?
A carry-on is a bag you bring into the aircraft cabin with you and stow in the overhead bin, rather than checking it into the cargo hold. It is the larger of the two bags most airlines let you bring onboard, the other being a smaller personal item that fits under the seat. Carrying a bag on means your belongings stay with you, you skip baggage claim, and you avoid the risk and sometimes the fee of checked luggage. A carry-on is typically a small rolling suitcase, a duffel, or a large backpack sized to fit the overhead bin. It is the centerpiece of packing light and traveling efficiently.
What is the carry-on size limit?
The most common carry-on limit is around 22 by 14 by 9 inches (about 56 by 36 by 23 centimeters), including the wheels and handles, though the exact figure varies by airline and can be smaller on budget carriers and regional jets. Every one of those three dimensions must be within the airline's maximum, and the whole bag, wheels included, must fit in the gate sizer, which is the real test. Some international and budget airlines also impose a carry-on weight limit, often in the range of 15 to 22 pounds, which US carriers usually do not. Because limits differ, always check your specific airline before you fly, and leave a little margin.
What can you bring in a carry-on?
A carry-on is meant for the essentials you want with you in the cabin: a change of clothes, electronics like a laptop and tablet, chargers, travel documents, medications, and valuables such as jewelry and cash that should never go in a checked bag. Liquids in a carry-on must follow the 3-1-1 rule, meaning containers of 3.4 ounces or less in a single quart-size bag, so full-size toiletries have to be checked. Sharp items like large scissors and knives, and most tools, are not allowed in the cabin and must be checked. Otherwise, you can pack a carry-on with clothing and gear much as you would any bag, within the size limit.
How is a carry-on different from a personal item or checked bag?
The three differ by size and where they go. A personal item is the smallest, must fit under the seat in front of you, and includes purses, laptop bags, and small backpacks. A carry-on is larger, goes in the overhead bin, and is capped around 22 by 14 by 9 inches. A checked bag is the largest, handed over at the counter to ride in the cargo hold, and follows weight limits like 50 pounds and size limits like 62 linear inches. Most standard fares include one carry-on plus one personal item free, while checked bags often cost extra, and basic economy sometimes allows only a personal item.
A carry-on is the larger cabin bag you stow in the overhead bin, usually limited to about 22 by 14 by 9 inches including wheels, with some airlines adding a weight limit. Pack essentials, electronics, and valuables in it, keep liquids to the 3-1-1 rule, and remember most fares include one carry-on plus one personal item.
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