United carry-on size 2026: 9 x 14 x 22 inches and a 9 x 10 x 17 inch personal item
United allows one carry-on of up to 9 x 14 x 22 inches (23 x 35 x 56 cm) and one personal item of up to 9 x 10 x 17 inches (22 x 25 x 43 cm). Basic Economy includes only the personal item on most routes; a carry-on is allowed on Basic Economy to South America and across the Atlantic or Pacific.
Checked 4 Nov 2026. Rules change, so confirm on your booking before you fly.
| Bag | Maximum size | Weight |
|---|---|---|
| Free under-seat bag | 43 x 25 x 22 cm (17 x 10 x 8.5 in) | None published |
| Cabin bag 9 x 14 x 22 in; not on Basic Economy for most routes | 56 x 35 x 23 cm (22 x 14 x 9 in) | None published |
United's personal item limit is narrow: 10 inches (25 cm) wide. A 40 x 30 x 20 cm European under-seat bag is too wide for it, so check the width before flying United on Basic Economy, when the personal item is all you can bring on board for free.
Small purses and bags are not allowed on top of the personal item and carry-on. If you carry a handbag and a backpack, one of them has to go inside the other.
United suggests keeping medicines, vapes and e-cigarettes, keys and other essentials in the personal item, in case your carry-on is checked at the gate.
Tips for flying United
- On Basic Economy, a slim 17 x 10 x 9 inch backpack is the bag to plan around.
- Packing cubes make it easy to move a day's clothes into the personal item if the carry-on is gate-checked.
- Measure the width of soft bags when full; side pockets are what push them over 10 inches.
Bags that fit United
Other airlines
Ryanair · easyJet · British Airways · Jet2 · American Airlines · Delta · Frontier
Sources: united.com