Southwest Airlines Baggage Allowance 2026, Carry-on, Checked Bags & Personal Item Rules
Southwest Airlines now charges for checked bags on Basic, Choice and Choice Preferred fares - 45 USD for the first bag and 55 USD for the second, while Choice Extra still includes two free checked bags up to 50 lbs and 62 linear inches each. Every passenger gets one free carry-on bag of 24 x 16 x 10 inches plus one personal item that fits under the seat, with no published weight limit for carry-on items.
Published on July 9, 2026 · Last verified on August 16, 2026 by Luggage Validator
3/10
Southwest Airlines Baggage Policy Strictness
Lenient
Overview
Standard baggage allowance for your selected route and fare class. All dimensions include wheels and handles.
Carry-on Bag
61 × 41 × 25 cm (24 × 16 × 10 in)
Overhead bin · Not specified
Personal Item
41 × 34 × 20 cm (16.25 × 13.5 × 8 in)
Under seat ·Not specified
Checked Baggage
No free bags
Available for a fee
Included in higher fares
Free Special Items
Items you can bring for free that do not count toward your standard baggage allowance on Southwest Airlines.
Stroller
One stroller per ticketed customer traveling with a child can be checked free at the counter or gate.
Car seat / child restraint system
One car seat per ticketed customer traveling with a child can be checked free at the counter or gate.
Ski / golf equipment
One set of skis or golf clubs counts as one checked bag; oversize fee waived up to 115 inches.
Wheelchairs and mobility aids
Assistive devices are accepted free of charge and do not count toward the bag limit.
Standard Economy Allowance
Quick reference for your selected route type. See below for full cabin class comparison.
| Baggage Type | Free | Max Size | Weight Limit |
|---|---|---|---|
| Carry-on Bag Overhead bin · per piece | 1 pc | 61×41×25cm 24×16×10in | Not specified |
| Personal Item Under seat · per piece | 1 pc | 41×34×20cm 16.25×13.5×8in | Not specified |
| Checked Baggage Cargo hold · piece system | No free | - | - |
Full Cabin Class Comparison
Compare allowances across all fare types and cabin classes for your selected route.
| Item | Basic | Choice | Choice Preferred | Choice Extra |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Personal Item Under seat | 1 pc | 1 pc | 1 pc | 1 pc |
| Personal Item Size L × W × H | 41×34×20cm 16.25×13.5×8in | 41×34×20cm 16.25×13.5×8in | 41×34×20cm 16.25×13.5×8in | 41×34×20cm 16.25×13.5×8in |
| Carry-on Pieces Overhead bin access | 1 pc | 1 pc | 1 pc | 1 pc |
| Carry-on Size L × W × H | 61×41×25cm 24×16×10in | 61×41×25cm 24×16×10in | 61×41×25cm 24×16×10in | 61×41×25cm 24×16×10in |
| Carry-on Weight Per piece | Not specified | Not specified | Not specified | Not specified |
| Free Checked Bags Piece system | No | No | No | 2 pc |
| Checked Bag Size Max per piece | - | - | - | ≤ 157.5 cm 62 in |
| Checked Bag Weight Per piece max | - | - | - | 23 kg 50 lbs |
Recent Traveller Feedback
My suitcase came in at 58 lbs at the Denver counter on my flight to Phoenix — the limit is 50 lbs per bag. Bags between 51 and 70 lbs get a USD 100 overweight fee on Southwest, and I had to pay it on top of everything else. The agent said anything over 70 lbs costs USD 200. A cheap luggage scale at home would have saved me the money.
100 USD
Booked a Basic fare from Dallas to Chicago out of habit and totally forgot bags are no longer free on Southwest. I paid USD 45 for my first checked bag at the airport, and my wife's second bag on the same booking cost USD 55. If you need two bags, do the math — the Choice Extra fare with two free bags can work out cheaper.
45 USD
Flew Choice Extra from Denver to Las Vegas with two checked suitcases and both were completely free — it is now the only Southwest fare that still includes two free bags. My roller plus a big duffel each stayed under the 50 lb per bag limit, and the 62 inch linear size rule was no problem for standard luggage.
Traveled Atlanta to Tampa with our toddler and gate checked the stroller for free — Southwest lets each ticketed customer traveling with a child check one stroller plus one car seat at no charge, at the counter or right at the gate. We kept the stroller through the terminal and picked it up at baggage claim after landing.
One thing I still love about Southwest is there is no published weight limit for carry-on bags as long as you can lift the bag into the overhead bin yourself. I packed my 24 x 16 x 10 inch roller pretty full for a quick Houston to Austin trip and had zero issues at the gate. Just measure it — wheels and handles count toward the size.
Common Luggage Compatibility
Based on Southwest Airlines · Economy class. Compare luggage compatibility across all fare types and cabin classes using the filters above.
| Luggage | Personal Item | Carry-on | Checked |
|---|---|---|---|
Regular Backpack | OK | OK | OK |
16" Under-seat Briefcase | OK | OK | OK |
18" Cabin Suitcase | Over Limit | OK | OK |
Standard 20" Carry-on | Over Limit | OK | OK |
22" North American Carry-on | Over Limit | OK | OK |
24" Medium Checked Suitcase | Over Limit | Over Limit | OK |
26" Mid-size Checked Suitcase | Over Limit | Over Limit | OK |
28" Large Checked Suitcase (IATA Standard) | Over Limit | Over Limit | Over Limit |
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Southwest still give you two free checked bags in 2026?
Only Choice Extra fares include two free checked bags. Basic, Choice and Choice Preferred fares pay 45 USD for the first checked bag and 55 USD for the second on tickets booked on or after April 9, 2026.
Rapid Rewards A-List Preferred members also get two free bags, while A-List members and Rapid Rewards credit cardholders get their first bag free.
A third checked bag costs 150 USD, and each bag must stay under 50 lbs and 62 linear inches.
What is the carry-on size limit for Southwest Airlines?
Your carry-on bag on Southwest must measure no more than 24 x 16 x 10 inches, and wheels, handles and any attachments count toward these dimensions.
It needs to fit in the overhead bin, and bags that are too large must be checked at the ticket counter before you go to the gate.
Southwest does not publish a weight limit for carry-on bags, but you must be able to lift your bag into the overhead bin by yourself.
What counts as a personal item on Southwest?
You may bring one personal item in addition to your carry-on bag, and it must fit under the seat in front of you.
Common examples include a purse, briefcase, laptop case, small backpack or small camera. A pet carrier counts as either your carry-on bag or your personal item.
If you bring more than one carry-on or personal item, the extra item has to be checked at the ticket counter.
How much are Southwest overweight and oversize bag fees?
A checked bag between 51 and 70 lbs costs a 100 USD overweight fee, and a bag between 71 and 100 lbs costs 200 USD, each on top of the standard bag fee.
Oversized bags between 63 and 80 linear inches cost 200 USD, and bags over 80 inches or 100 lbs are not accepted as checked baggage at all.
Standard checked bags must weigh no more than 50 lbs and measure no more than 62 linear inches including wheels and handles.
Can I check a stroller or car seat for free on Southwest?
Yes, each ticketed customer traveling with a child can check one stroller and one car seat or child restraint system free of charge.
You can check these items at the curb, the ticket counter or right at the gate, and gate checked items are returned at baggage claim at your final destination.
Portable cribs and pack and plays are not included - they count as regular checked bags and normal bag fees apply.
Are Southwest bag fees different on interisland Hawaii flights?
Yes, flights that begin and end within Hawaii have their own prices. On tickets booked on or after April 9, 2026, non-residents pay 30 USD for the first bag, 40 USD for the second and 50 USD for the third.
Hawaii residents with a Rapid Rewards account number in the booking get two free checked bags on interisland flights.
Overweight and oversize fees are also lower on interisland flights - 35 USD for a bag between 51 and 70 lbs or 63 to 80 inches, and 70 USD for 71 to 100 lbs.
All baggage rules on this page are from the official Southwest Airlines website. Last updated August 16, 2026. Before you fly, please check the official site again to make sure nothing has changed.
Help keep this data accurate. If you spot outdated baggage rules or have recent experience flying with Southwest Airlines contribute your update