Are There Size Limits On Checked Baggage? | Clear, Quick Facts

Checked baggage size limits: the basics

The short line above covers the common rule you will meet at most counters. Airlines use either a linear total or fixed maximum sides to control suitcase size. The linear method adds the three sides together. If that sum stays at or under 62 inches, you are set for a standard piece. Many carriers also publish the metric twin, 158 cm. A few brands list a fixed rectangle instead of a sum; the idea is the same, keep every side inside the posted box.

Why this matters is simple. A suitcase that creeps over the limit can trigger fees, special handling, or a refusal during peak months. Measuring at home avoids drama at the counter and keeps money in your pocket for the trip itself. You will also pack with more confidence when you know your case fits the template before you leave the house.

Size limits on checked luggage: a quick map

Many readers want a fast snapshot they can skim and save. The table below shows broad rules you will see again and again. Always match your ticket and route, since codeshares and seasonal rules can change the fine print.

How to measure checked bag size the right way

Grab a tape measure and a flat floor. Measure the longest side end to end, then the width, then the depth. Include wheels, handles, side feet, pockets, and any exterior frame. Add the three numbers. That total is your linear inches. If you measure in centimeters, add the three sides and check that the total is 158 cm or less. If your carrier publishes a fixed rectangle, compare each side to those limits and make sure every edge sits inside that box.

A few habits help with accuracy. Measure when the case is packed, since bulges change the numbers. Read the tape at eye level. If a soft case swells past the rim, measure to the far edge of the bulge. When a suitcase has curved corners, measure the longest practical straight line; that mirrors how agents read it with a counter tape.

What “linear inches” means

Linear inches are just a simple sum, not a diagonal and not volume. A 28 × 20 × 12 inch case totals 60, which passes the 62 inch rule. A 29 × 20 × 13 inch case totals 62, which sits on the line. A 32 × 22 × 14 inch trunk totals 68, which is oversize even if the store tag says “checked.” Retail labels do not guarantee acceptance, so treat the tag as a clue and your tape as the final word.

Where suitcases usually fail

Depth and external bits cause most trouble. Large spinner wheels, corner guards, or a thick front pocket can push a bag over the limit. Expanders add pleasant space, yet that zipper track can add two to four inches after packing. If your case has an expander, zip it shut for flights with strict limits. Hard shells keep their shape, while soft shells can puff out; both can still step over the line when overstuffed.

Checked luggage size limits for international trips

Across the U.S. majors, the 62 inch rule is steady on most economy tickets. Many international brands mirror the 158 cm template. There are quirks worth knowing. British Airways lists fixed sides of 90 × 75 × 43 cm for a standard piece, which equals 208 cm combined. That looks larger than 158 cm, yet the airline checks each side rather than a sum. Long, thin boxes may pass under that pattern while the same box could fail under a linear rule elsewhere. Some Asian and Middle East brands mix piece and weight systems on certain legs, yet the size window still lands near the same place.

Route and season can change what you can check, especially to parts of Africa, the Caribbean, and South America. During summer and end-of-year peaks, several airlines cap how many pieces you can bring or ban extra boxes. Those limits rarely change the size rule for a single bag, but they do affect your total haul. Read the baggage page tied to your booking and save it to your phone in case a counter agent asks for proof.

When a bag is oversize

Go past the posted size and your bag enters the oversize bucket. That usually means a fee plus any standard checked charge tied to your fare. Fees depend on route and cabin. Some carriers set extra checks for anything past 62 inches, while others allow a tiny cushion. Do not bank on a cushion; agents measure during busy periods and on full flights, and station managers prefer clear rules when the hold is tight.

Airlines also publish a hard stop where they will not take the bag as checked baggage at all. You will see cutoffs like 115 inches total, or a maximum side length that must not be passed. Past that line, the item has to move as cargo. Special cases such as musical instruments, surfboards, bikes, or media boxes often sit under separate charts with their own size windows and packing rules. Read those pages before you head to the airport and bring the right case for that item.

Weight and size work together

Even when your suitcase passes the size check, weight still applies. A standard economy piece tops out at 50 lb or 23 kg on many tickets. Premium cabins and status tiers may allow 70 lb or 32 kg. Size and weight fees stack, so a big and heavy bag can incur two charges. A small luggage scale at home costs less than any single fee you will face at a counter and removes guesswork after packing.

For a live example of the linear rule, see the Delta baggage overview. United states the same total on its checked bags page. British Airways shows the fixed rectangle on its baggage essentials page. These links help you confirm the current text before you fly.

Second table: sample suitcases and the 62 inch rule

Use this chart as a quick sense check. Brands vary by a few centimeters and wheel styles differ, so measure your exact case after packing.

Smart ways to stay within the limit

Pick the right shell

A 28 inch case with compact wheels is the trusty workhorse for long trips. If you need more room, think two smaller cases instead of one giant trunk. Many long haul fares include two standard pieces, and handling is easier on your back. Packing cubes help keep shape without bulging the lid. Put shoes and dense items at the corners that tend to puff out first, then fill the center with clothes that compress well.

Mind expanders and soft fronts

If your case has a zipper expander, use it only after you measure the packed size. Swap hard cases if an expander pushes the total past 62. On soft cases, cinch the exterior straps and slide your hand along the surface to feel for bulges that add depth. Smooth the fabric before you measure. A small change in the front pocket can move the needle by more than you think.

Choose boxes with care

Cardboard looks handy for gifts, yet boxes dent and swell under stretch wrap. If you must check a box, pick one that totals 62 when empty and keep the contents tight. Tape every seam, add hand holes, and write your name on every face. During peak embargo windows, some routes will not take boxes at all, even when the size sits inside the rule.

Know your route

A New York to London return on a U.S. carrier will likely use the 62 inch rule both ways. Switch the long haul leg to a partner and the limits can change on the same ticket. Read the fare breakdown and the baggage link inside your booking. When in doubt, measure to 62 and you will be within range for most partners and cabins.

Edge cases and exceptions

Sports gear

Bikes, surfboards, skis, and golf bags have their own charts. Many airlines accept them over 62 inches up to a special cap if packed in an approved case. These items can still need a fee even when within that cap. Call ahead for bikes and surfboards; some routes require advance space or limit daily counts on narrow-body aircraft.

Instruments

Cellos and guitars often ride in the cabin on a paid seat. Large cases can go in the hold, yet the padding and case type must meet carrier rules. Some brands set a maximum side length for instruments, with size rules on a separate page from standard baggage. Carry printed rules or a saved screenshot to speed things up at the desk.

Strollers and mobility aids

Most airlines check strollers, child seats, wheelchairs, and medical devices free of charge. Size caps may be higher or waived for these items, but packing and battery rules still apply. Bring covers, remove loose parts, and label every piece. For powered chairs, note battery type and secure exposed leads before you arrive.

Military travel

On orders, many U.S. carriers allow bigger or heavier bags for service members. Leisure travel on the same airlines usually returns to the standard 62 inch and 50 lb caps, with free pieces tied to status or card perks. Read the dedicated page tied to your airline program to confirm the current limits for your ticket type.

How retail labels compare to airline rules

Suitcase makers print “28 inch” or “29 inch” on tags, yet that label often refers to body height only. Wheels, top handles, and corner caps add measurable length. A “29” spinner can total 62 inches once you include those parts, while a “29” with chunky wheels can cross the line. Retail spec sheets vary, so measure the packed case yourself and treat the model name as marketing rather than a guarantee.

Simple packing plan that works

Five steps you can trust

One, choose a case that totals 57 to 60 inches when empty so you have a buffer. Two, pack heavy, dense items near the wheels; that keeps the case from ballooning at the front. Three, use the expander only if your post-pack measure stays at or under 62. Four, weigh the case and aim for 48 to 49 lb to leave room for airport scale drift. Five, save souvenirs for a carry-on or ship them home in a small, sturdy box.

Mistakes that trigger fees

Relying on the store tag for size. Measuring an empty case, then stuffing it tight. Ignoring wheels and corner guards. Forgetting cm conversions on overseas tickets. Assuming partner flights share the same rule. Banking on a friendly agent on a full flight. Using stretch wrap to squeeze a bulge; it rarely changes the measured size at the counter and can lead to repacking in a long line.

What to do if your bag is slightly over

If your total lands at 63 or 64 inches, try quick fixes. Swap to lower profile wheels if your case allows it. Remove a stuffed front pouch and move the item to your carry-on. Open the expander, repack into the corners, then zip the expander shut to bring the lid flush. If the shell itself is too tall, switch to a 28 inch body and spread items across two pieces; many long haul fares accept two standard bags and you will glide through the line.

Why you still see giant trunks in airports

Media crews, musicians, pro teams, and touring staff move cases that dwarf regular luggage. Those items travel under special contracts. The gear often checks as media bags, sports items, or cargo with pre-cleared dimensions, separate fee tables, and pickup zones far from the carousel. That setup does not apply to economy tickets, even on the same flight, so do not use those cases as a size guide for your own packing.

How this guide was compiled

The rules here were matched against current airline pages and live contracts. The 62 inch standard appears across the U.S. majors, and several global brands publish the 158 cm template. British Airways posts fixed sides rather than a sum. Special items such as sports gear and instruments carry their own windows and packing notes. Use the links above to confirm the latest text for your route and keep a copy of those pages on your phone in case you need them at the counter.