Are Carry-Ons Free For Southwest? | Fare Smart Guide

Short answer first: yes, your cabin bags still ride free on Southwest. Every ticketed Customer may bring one standard carry‑on for the overhead bin and one smaller personal item for under the seat. The allowance spans all fare types and all routes. What changed in 2025 is checked baggage pricing for most fares; cabin bags stayed free. That means smart packing up top saves both time and money.

To keep boarding smooth, Southwest sets a firm carry‑on size cap of 24 × 16 × 10 inches, including wheels and handles. Your personal item must slide under the seat in front of you; seat space is the practical limit. Bring only two bags total in the cabin, unless you are carrying an assistive device or another permitted extra. The quick reference table below sums up the basics before we get into the fine print, sizing tips, and edge cases.

Policy pages move around, so always scan the airline’s current fee page before you fly. For convenience, we’ve linked Southwest’s live chart showing carry‑on and personal item at $0, along with official government guidance on security rules and cabin bag basics.

Carry‑On And Personal Item: Quick Rules

Those limits are actively enforced at the gate, and bags that don’t fit the sizers will be checked. Keeping your two items within spec speeds up boarding, which helps the whole cabin find overhead space with less stress.

Is A Carry On Free On Southwest Flights?

Yes. Southwest shows “Carryon + Personal Item: Free” across Basic, Choice, Choice Preferred, and Choice Extra fares. Even after checked bag fees arrived for many fares booked on or after May 28, 2025, the cabin allowance remained unchanged: one overhead‑sized bag plus one personal item at no charge. Rapid Rewards tiers and vacation packages can change checked bag math, but your cabin bags stay free either way.

You still need to follow two rules: size and stowage. The 24 × 16 × 10‑inch cap is a hard upper bound. Handles, wheels, exterior pockets—everything counts. Your personal item must go under the seat for takeoff and landing. If you bring a jacket, small snack, or a book in hand, keep it inside one of your two bags once you board so you don’t exceed the limit.

What The Size Limits Mean In Real Life

The overhead bin size on Southwest fits a standard 22‑inch roller that measures under the airline’s 24 × 16 × 10‑inch box. Many “international carry‑on” suitcases run narrower and fit easily. If your roller is close to the edge, measure the shell from end to end and include the protruding wheels and top handle—those often push a bag over the line. If a gate agent asks you to try the sizer and it doesn’t drop in without force, expect a tag for the hold.

For a personal item, under‑seat space varies by row. Think in terms of a compact backpack, laptop brief, or small tote. A safe target many travelers use is about 16.25 × 13.5 × 8 inches or smaller. Soft‑sided shapes help because they compress. Hard shells rarely work down there. If you’re flying with a pet, the carrier takes the personal‑item slot and needs to slide under the seat.

How To Check Your Bag At Home

Grab a tape measure and run three quick checks. One, measure the longest edge of the packed case, then add any feet or wheel hubs. Two, turn the bag sideways and measure thickness at the bulge, not the label spec. Three, weigh the bag if you’re prone to loading heavy gear; while Southwest doesn’t post a cabin weight limit, you must be able to lift your bag to the bin in one smooth motion. If you can’t, plan to check it.

What Gate Agents Look For

Agents watch for bulging cases, third items carried in hand, and bags that ride high on the sizer. They also keep an eye on late‑boarding rows, since bin space gets scarce toward the end. If you’re in a later group, line up early, wear your jacket, and consolidate small things into your two allowed items. When space runs out, agents will tag overhead bags for pickup at the jet bridge or the carousel.

Are Carry Ons Free With Southwest Fares? Details That Matter

All fare families include the same free cabin allowance. Where fares differ is checked bag pricing and extras like boarding benefits. Since overhead space is shared, crews will ask anyone in later groups to gate‑check if bins fill early. That tag is free in that situation, yet it adds time on arrival. Packing the overhead bag within the size box and keeping your personal item streamlined gives you the best shot at finding space near your row.

Liquids, Food, And Tech: Security Rules That Apply

Liquids, gels, aerosols, creams, and pastes in your personal item or carry‑on must follow the TSA “3‑1‑1” rule: containers up to 3.4 oz / 100 ml, all in one clear quart‑size bag. Place that pouch on top so you can remove it fast if asked. Solid snacks are fine; spreadables over 3.4 oz go in checked bags. Spare lithium batteries and power banks belong in the cabin, not the hold. Laptops, tablets, and cameras may need to come out at screening unless you’re in a lane that allows them to stay in your bag.

If you carry medicine, pack it in your personal item with a label and keep it separate from toiletries. Breast milk and formula have their own screening steps; tell the officer before you enter the checkpoint. Frozen ice packs must be fully frozen to pass. After security, you can buy drinks and bring them onboard.

Special Items And Edge Cases

Assistive devices. Wheelchairs, canes, walkers, CPAPs, and medications for a disability don’t count toward the two‑item cabin limit. If an item won’t fit safely in the cabin, agents will tag it with care at no charge. Pack medicine in the cabin, not in a checked bag, and keep it separate from personal items when possible.

Musical instruments. A violin or similar case that meets 24 × 16 × 10 inches can go up top. Larger instruments may need a purchased seat or to travel as checked, depending on size and availability. Bring padding inside the case and board early when you can.

Family gear. Strollers and car seats can be checked free. Plan for the diaper bag to serve as your personal item. A soft cooler with breast milk is allowed through security with screening; tell the officer before you enter the checkpoint.

Pet carriers. A pet in the cabin uses your personal‑item slot. Keep the carrier under the seat for taxi, takeoff, and landing, and make sure the animal can stand and turn comfortably inside.

Coats and small extras. Wear your jacket and tuck small loose items into your existing bags before you board. If you’re holding separate shopping bags, combine them so you still walk on with only one overhead bag and one under‑seat item.

Carry‑On Packing Tactics That Save Time

Think in zones. Heavy, dense items sit near the wheels of your roller. Bulky but light items ride on top so the case closes without bulging past the size box. For the personal item, pack a flat tech sleeve against the back panel, zip pockets for cables, and a quick‑grab pouch for the 3‑1‑1 liquids. Keep your wallet, ID, and boarding pass in one place you can reach with either hand.

Use compression, not overload. Two thin packing cubes beat one overstuffed cube that makes the bag too thick. Shoes can nest heel to toe in a dust bag; fill the toes with socks to protect the shape. If you’re bringing a blazer or dress, fold once and lay it across the full length of your case, then stack cubes on top to reduce creases.

Plan for the walk to the gate. If your route includes a tight connection, the lightest workable kit wins. A compact backpack as the personal item keeps hands free, balances well, and slides under any seat. Check pockets at the podium so you don’t fumble with keys or coins in the scanner.

Common Mistakes That Lead To Gate Checks

Bulging depth. Many bags meet the length and width but fail on thickness once packed. If your case bows out, it may not pass the sizer. Leave expansion zippers closed.

Hard‑sided personal items. A rigid brief or vanity case can waste under‑seat space and trigger a gate check of your overhead bag. Soft backpacks flex and fit more predictably.

Loose extras. Pillows, purses, and shopping sacks count toward the two‑item limit. Consolidate before boarding. If you reach the scanner with more than two items, expect a repack talk with the agent.

Ignoring the wheels. Many popular rollers fail the 24‑by‑16‑by‑10 test by an inch once you account for wheel hubs. If your wheels stick out, choose a slimmer model or pack a duffel instead.

Carry‑On Or Checked? Quick Callouts

Useful Links To Official Rules

Southwest posts current fees and size limits on its Optional Travel Charges page. Security screening rules come from the TSA 3‑1‑1 liquids rule. General cabin tips and PackSafe guidance appear on the FAA’s Carry‑On Baggage Tips page.

Pack to the spec, measure at home, and you’ll board with confidence: one overhead‑sized bag and one under‑seat personal item, both free on Southwest.