UA · checked 2026-10-19
United Airlines carry-on and personal item size
The limits below are quoted from United Airlines's baggage rules. Sizes include wheels and handles unless noted.
Personal item
9 × 10 × 17 in (23 × 25 × 43 cm)
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.
United lists the smallest dimension first. The wheels-and-handles sentence appears only in the carry-on paragraph, so it is not stated for the personal item. No weight limit is stated. United's personal item (17x10x9) is smaller than American's (18x14x8).
Find a personal item that fitsCarry-on
9 × 14 × 22 in (23 × 36 × 56 cm)
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.
United lists the smallest dimension first (9 x 14 x 22 = 22 x 14 x 9). No weight limit is stated. united.com blocked direct fetches from this environment, so the page text was retrieved through the r.jina.ai reader (page published time: 14 Sep 2026).
Find a carry-on that fitsWhich fares include a carry-on
| Fare | Carry-on included | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Basic Economy | No | "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." Exceptions: MileagePlus Premier members (and companions on the same booking), primary cardmembers of qualifying MileagePlus cards (not the Gateway or Select cards), and Star Alliance Gold members get one free carry-on. |
| Economy and above (non-Basic) | Yes | "You can bring one carry-on bag and one personal item on your flight if you're not traveling in Basic Economy." |
Personal items that fit United Airlines
Carry-ons that fit United Airlines
- Briggs & Riley Sympatico Essential 22" Carry-On Expandable Spinner41 L
- Eagle Creek Tour Travel Pack 40L40 L
- MATEIN Carry on Backpack, Extra Large Expandable Travel Backpack40 L
- Patagonia Black Hole Duffel 40L40 L
- Tortuga Lite Backpack 40L40 L
- Tortuga Pro Backpack 40L formerly Travel Backpack Pro 40L40 L
- Monos Carry-On39.9 L
- CALPAK Ambeur Carry-On Luggage39.2 L
- Briggs & Riley Baseline Essential 22" 2-Wheel Expandable Carry-On39 L
- Travelpro Maxlite 5 Compact Carry-On Expandable Spinner38 L
- Briggs & Riley Baseline Essential 22" Carry-On Expandable Spinner37 L
- Monos Carry-On Pro36 L
Source
- Carry on Bags | United Airlines (retrieved via r.jina.ai reader because the site blocks direct requests)airline page
Checked 2026-10-19. Airlines change these rules, so confirm on United Airlines's page before you fly.