Personal Item Size by Airline: Full Size Chart & Rules for 2026 

A personal item is a small bag such as a backpack, purse, or laptop bag that must fit under the seat in front of you. Most US airlines allow up to 18 x 14 x 8 inches (45 x 35 x 20 cm). Dimensions vary by carrier, fare type, and route. Exceeding the limit can trigger gate fees ranging from $25 to $100+.

What Counts as a Personal Item on a Plane?

A personal item is any small bag that fits entirely under the seat in front of you, in addition to your overhead carry-on allowance. It is always free to bring on board, regardless of fare type.

Common examples include:

• Backpacks and laptop bags
• Purses and handbags
• Briefcases and tote bags
• Small duffel bags and camera bags
• Diaper bags (on most airlines)

Items that do not count toward your personal item allowance on most airlines: jackets, coats, umbrellas, collapsible strollers, medical devices, and assistive mobility aids.

2026 Personal Item Size Chart: 30+ Airlines at a Glance

The table below reflects dimensions sourced from official airline policies as of 2026. Always verify with your specific carrier before travel, as policies can change.

US Airlines: Personal Item Dimensions

International Airlines: Personal Item Dimensions

Note: Dimensions listed as length x width x height. Some international airlines enforce weight limits across carry-on and personal item combined. Emirates, Qatar Airways, Qantas, and several others do not publish a separate personal item size limit.

Which Airline Has the Smallest Personal Item Size?

The most restrictive personal item allowances belong to Lufthansa and Singapore Airlines, both of which cap depth at just 4 inches (10 cm) roughly the width of two fingers. Aer Lingus also stands out with a tiny maximum of 13 x 10 x 8 inches, making even a slim laptop bag a tight fit.

Among US carriers, United Airlines and Contour Airlines are the most restrictive, limiting personal item width to just 10 inches. Most wide-bodied backpacks fail this test even when they appear compact.

What Is the “Max Safe Size” for a Personal Item?

18 x 14 x 8 inches (45 x 35 x 20 cm) is the widely accepted universal safe size for a personal item on US airlines. Staying within these dimensions means your bag is compliant on American, Frontier, Spirit, Allegiant, and most other major US carriers.

For international travel, the safe standard drops considerably. A bag of 15 x 12 x 6 inches (38 x 30 x 15 cm) gives you coverage on most European and Asian carriers.

How to Measure Your Personal Item Correctly

Measuring your bag correctly can save you a gate fee. Follow these steps:

1. Pack it fully  measure only when the bag reflects real travel weight and volume
2. Include all protrusions  wheels, handles, buckles, and exterior pockets all count
3. Measure at widest points  not the shell alone
4. Test the softness  a soft bag that slightly compresses passes more sizer tests than a rigid one at the same stated size
5. Use a tape measure, not just the label  manufacturer-stated dimensions don’t always reflect packed dimensions

Quick volume check: Multiply your bag’s dimensions in centimeters and divide by 1,000 to get approximate liters. A 46 x 36 x 20 cm bag = ~33L theoretical, but typically 20–25L usable due to bag structure.

Can You Carry Liquids in Your Personal Bag and Carry-On?

Yes but only within TSA’s 3-1-1 rule, which applies to both your carry-on and personal item combined, not individually.

The 3-1-1 rule:

• Each liquid container must be 3.4 oz (100 ml) or less
• All containers must fit in one clear, quart-sized resealable bag
• You are allowed one such bag per person

Liquids in checked baggage face no 3.4 oz restriction, but flammable liquids are banned entirely. Items like full-size shampoo bottles, large perfumes, and beverages bought before security must be checked or consumed beforehand.

What Is Not Allowed in a Carry-On Bag? TSA Rules Explained

TSA prohibits the following from carry-on bags (including personal items):

Always prohibited in carry-on:

• Firearms and ammunition
• Knives, box cutters, and non-disposable razor blades
• Pepper spray and tasers
• Tools over 7 inches in length
• Liquids over 3.4 oz outside the quart-sized bag

Must go in carry-on (NOT checked bags):

• Spare lithium batteries and power banks (fire risk in cargo holds)
• Laptops and cameras (recommended not strictly required)

Several airlines in Asia have introduced additional restrictions on power banks in 2026, including requirements to keep them on your person rather than in the overhead bin.

What Is the Most Confiscated Item at Airports?

Oversized liquids are the single most confiscated item at airport security checkpoints, according to TSA screening data. Other frequently seized items include:

• Multi-tools and pocket knives
• Fuel-powered hair styling tools
• Aerosol cans (flammable or over 3.4 oz)
• Forgotten firearms (more common than most travelers assume)

The simplest way to avoid confiscation: pack liquids in your checked bag, and use the TSA’s “What Can I Bring?” tool at tsa.gov before every trip.

Smart Packing Tips to Maximize Under-Seat Space

• Choose soft-sided bags over rigid ones  they compress slightly in sizers and fit awkward spaces better
• Distribute weight between bags  put heavier items in your personal bag, lighter ones overhead
• Keep boarding documents in an exterior pocket  avoid digging through the whole bag at the gate
• Use packing cubes  they help compress soft items and make your bag look less bulky
• Avoid external attachments  water bottles or accessories clipped to the outside can push your bag past the sizer limit

What Are the Biggest Mistakes Travelers Make With Personal Items?

The most common and costly errors:

1. Using a bag labeled as a personal item size but measuring it fully packed
2. Assuming Delta or Alaska’s vague “under-seat” policy means any size goes
3. Flying on a basic economy fare without realizing it excludes overhead carry-ons, not personal items
4. Packing a 25L bag for a United flight with a 10-inch width restriction
5. Not checking codeshare flight baggage rules your ticket may say one airline, but the operating carrier’s rules apply

What Will Airline Personal Item Policies Look Like After 2026?

No new FAA-mandated personal item dimensions are on the horizon for 2026. What is changing is enforcement intensity. More airlines are deploying physical sizer boxes pre-security and at gates, particularly Spirit, Frontier, Ryanair, and easyJet. The EU is actively reviewing whether a minimum carry-on allowance should be included in the base ticket price a change that could ripple into how personal items are defined across European carriers.

Airlines are also tightening rules on power banks, with several Asian carriers now requiring lithium battery devices to be carried on the person rather than stowed.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the standard personal item size accepted by most airlines?
The most widely accepted size is 18 x 14 x 8 inches (45 x 35 x 20 cm). This fits American Airlines, Spirit, Frontier, Allegiant, and most US carriers.

Does United Airlines have the strictest personal item size in the US?
United Airlines limits personal items to 17 x 10 x 9 inches. The 10-inch width is the most restrictive measurement among major US airlines and rules out most standard backpacks.

Is a 20-liter backpack considered a personal item?
A 20-liter backpack generally qualifies as a personal item on US carriers if it fits within 18 x 14 x 8 inches when fully packed. Always measure when packed not when empty.

Can I bring both a backpack and a purse on the plane?
On most airlines, no. You are typically allowed one personal item plus one carry-on. A purse and a backpack together would usually count as two personal items, and the airline may ask you to consolidate or pay for the extra bag.

Do budget airlines charge for personal items?
Not currently on US carriers personal items remain free. However, Ryanair and easyJet in Europe restrict non-priority passengers to a very small personal item only, effectively charging for anything larger.

What happens if my personal item doesn’t fit the sizer at the gate?
The airline may require you to check the bag. Gate-checked bag fees range from $25 to $100 or more, depending on the carrier. Spirit and Frontier are among the most aggressive enforcers.

Are diaper bags free in addition to a personal item?
Yes, on virtually all US airlines. Diaper bags are explicitly exempt from the personal item count on American, United, JetBlue, Delta, Southwest, and most other carriers.

What size is a personal item in centimeters for European airlines?
European carriers vary widely. Lufthansa and Singapore Airlines allow only 40 x 30 x 10 cm. Ryanair’s free non-priority personal item is 40 x 25 x 20 cm. Aer Lingus allows 33 x 25 x 20 cm.

Can I bring a laptop bag as my personal item and a backpack as my carry-on?
Yes provided the laptop bag meets personal item dimensions and the backpack fits in the overhead bin within carry-on limits. This is a common and effective strategy for one-bag travelers.

Is a personal item weighed at the airport?
On most US airlines, personal items are rarely weighed. However, many European and Asian carriers weigh both carry-on and personal items combined against a total cabin baggage weight limit, sometimes as low as 22 lbs combined.