What’s in This Article
- Size and Weight Restrictions for Carry-On Baggage
- Number of Carry-On Items Allowed
- Personal Item Guidelines
- Special Items and Equipment
- Prohibited Items
- Tips for Packing Efficiently
- Boarding and Stowing Carry-On Baggage
- Checking Carry-On Baggage at the Gate
- Fees for Carry-On Baggage
- Frequently Asked Questions
Most airlines charge extra to bring a bag on board. Southwest gives you one free carry-on and one free personal item on every fare, but only if both meet the size requirements. Know the limits before you pack and you’ll avoid last-minute gate surprises. This guide covers the current rules, including what changed about Southwest’s boarding process in January 2026.
Quick Answer
Southwest allows one carry-on bag (max 24 x 16 x 10 inches) and one personal item (max 16.25 x 13.5 x 8 inches), both free on every fare. No weight limit applies to carry-ons. Since January 27, 2026, Southwest uses assigned seating, so you choose your seat when you book. All liquids in your carry-on must follow the TSA 3-1-1 rule.
Key Takeaways
- Your carry-on must fit within 24 x 16 x 10 inches, including wheels and handles, which is larger than most US airlines allow.
- Southwest sets no weight limit for carry-on bags, but you must lift your bag into the overhead bin yourself.
- You get one free carry-on plus one free personal item (max 16.25 x 13.5 x 8 inches) on every Southwest fare.
- Since January 27, 2026, Southwest uses assigned seating — you pick your seat at booking, not at the gate.
- Explosives, flammable liquids, and sharp objects are banned from carry-on bags; all liquids must follow the TSA 3-1-1 rule.
Size and Weight Restrictions for Carry-On Baggage
Southwest’s carry-on size limit is more generous than most US airlines offer. Your bag must fit within 24 inches long, 16 inches wide, and 10 inches tall, including wheels and handles. Most major US carriers cap carry-ons at 22 inches long, so the extra two inches gives you noticeably more packing room.
Southwest doesn’t publish a weight limit for carry-on bags. You must lift your bag into the overhead bin yourself without help from airline staff. Keep it light enough to handle comfortably, especially when navigating crowded terminals or boarding quickly.
Number of Carry-On Items Allowed
Each Southwest passenger gets one carry-on bag plus one personal item, both free. Your carry-on goes in the overhead bin. Your personal item goes under the seat in front of you.
Common personal items include backpacks, purses, laptop bags, and briefcases. Both items must meet the size limits described in this guide. If either item exceeds the limits, a gate agent may ask you to check it before boarding.
Personal Item Guidelines
| Item | Allowed | Not Allowed |
|---|---|---|
| Laptop | Yes | No |
| Mobile phone | Yes | No |
| Tablet | Yes | No |
| Power bank | Yes | No |
| Sharp objects | No | Yes |
Your personal item must fit entirely under the seat in front of you. The maximum dimensions are 16.25 inches long, 13.5 inches wide, and 8 inches tall. Small backpacks, purses, laptop bags, and totes all work well within these limits.
Pack your personal item with in-flight access in mind. You’ll want snacks, headphones, and your phone within reach without digging through the overhead bin. On full flights, gate agents may measure personal items that look oversized, so a soft-sided bag that can compress slightly is a smart choice.
Special Items and Equipment
Southwest has specific rules for sports gear, musical instruments, and medical devices. Golf clubs and skis don’t fit within the 24 x 16 x 10-inch carry-on limit, so you must check them. Southwest generally waives the oversize fee for instruments checked as luggage, provided the weight stays under 50 lbs.
Smaller instruments like violins and ukuleles can travel as your carry-on if they meet the size requirements. Larger instruments like guitars may require you to purchase an extra seat so the instrument stays in the cabin. If you buy a seat for your instrument, it boards with you and stows in the overhead bin or sits beside you.
Medical devices like CPAP machines and mobility aids don’t count against your carry-on allowance. Southwest treats these as necessary medical equipment, so you can bring them in addition to your standard carry-on and personal item.
Warning: Packing a prohibited item in your carry-on can lead to confiscation and potential civil penalties at the TSA security checkpoint.
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Prohibited Items
Southwest follows TSA federal guidelines on hazardous materials and dangerous goods. Explosives, flammable liquids, and sharp objects are banned from both carry-on and checked bags. This covers items like fireworks, gasoline, and most knives.
Liquids also face strict limits in your carry-on. Each container must hold 3.4 ounces (100 ml) or less, and all containers must fit in a single quart-sized, clear plastic bag. One bag per passenger applies. This rule covers all liquids, gels, and aerosols. Check your toiletry kit before you pack to avoid delays at security.
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Tips for Packing Efficiently
Smart packing starts with versatile clothing. Choose pieces that mix and match so you carry fewer items overall. Lightweight, wrinkle-resistant fabrics are your best option for carry-on travel.
Packing cubes and compression bags help you organize your carry-on and fit more inside. Roll your clothes instead of folding them to save space and cut down on wrinkles. Keep your heaviest items near the wheeled end of your bag so it stays balanced in the overhead bin.
Pro tip: Pack your personal item with in-flight essentials like headphones, your charger, snacks, and travel documents, since your overhead carry-on may get gate-checked on full flights but your personal item never will.
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Boarding and Stowing Carry-On Baggage
Note: Southwest switched to assigned seating on January 27, 2026. If you booked before that date and haven’t changed your reservation, check your confirmation to see which boarding system applies to your flight.
Southwest moved to assigned seating on January 27, 2026, ending more than 50 years of open-seating boarding. You now choose your seat when you book, and your boarding group depends on your fare type and loyalty status. Passengers with premium seats and top-tier loyalty status board first and get first access to overhead bin space.
Book a Preferred or Extra Legroom seat, or check in as early as possible, to secure a good boarding group. Have your carry-on ready to stow as you approach the aircraft door to keep the boarding line moving.
Place your bag in the overhead bin wheels-first so the handle stays accessible later. If the bin above your seat is full, look for open space a few rows ahead and note where you stowed your bag. A flight attendant can help you retrieve it during the flight if needed.
Checking Carry-On Baggage at the Gate
On full flights, Southwest may ask you to gate-check your carry-on when the overhead bins run out of space. Gate-checking a compliant carry-on is always free. You’ll get a bag tag at the gate and pick up your bag at baggage claim after landing.
Before you hand over your carry-on, move in-flight essentials to your personal item. Your personal item never gets gate-checked since it fits under the seat. This is the main reason to load your most important items into your under-seat bag before you board.
Fees for Carry-On Baggage
Southwest charges nothing for your carry-on or personal item. Every fare includes both, free. Most major US airlines charge $30 to $40 for carry-on access on basic economy tickets, so Southwest’s carry-on policy still stands out.
That said, Southwest ended its long-running “Bags Fly Free” policy for checked bags. For reservations booked on or after May 28, 2025, the first checked bag costs $45 each way and the second costs $55 for bookings on or after April 9, 2026. If you pack carry-on only, those fees don’t apply to you.
Frequently Asked Questions
What items can I bring in my carry-on bag on Southwest Airlines?
You can bring clothing, personal care items, electronics, food, snacks, and small personal belongings. All items must fit within the 24 x 16 x 10-inch size limit. Per TSA rules, power banks and spare lithium batteries must travel in your carry-on, not in checked bags.
Are there liquid restrictions for carry-on bags on Southwest Airlines?
Yes. All liquids, gels, and aerosols must be in containers of 3.4 ounces (100 ml) or less, and all containers must fit in a single quart-sized clear plastic bag. Each passenger gets one bag. This rule applies on every Southwest flight.
What items are banned from carry-on bags on Southwest Airlines?
Sharp objects, firearms, explosives, and flammable materials are banned from carry-on bags. Large sports equipment like baseball bats and golf clubs must be checked because they exceed carry-on size limits. Liquids over 3.4 ounces must also stay out of your carry-on.
Does Southwest Airlines have a weight limit for carry-on bags?
Southwest sets no published weight limit for carry-on bags. You must be able to lift your bag into the overhead bin yourself. Carry-ons must fit within 24 x 16 x 10 inches including handles and wheels, and personal items must fit within 16.25 x 13.5 x 8 inches.
Can I bring food and snacks in my carry-on on Southwest Airlines?
Yes, you can bring food and snacks in your carry-on on all domestic Southwest flights. Solid foods don’t fall under the TSA liquid rule, so most snacks face no restrictions. On international flights, customs rules at your destination may limit certain food items, so check before you pack.
Plan Your Carry-On Before You Fly
Southwest still offers one of the best carry-on policies in the US. Pack within the 24 x 16 x 10-inch carry-on limit and keep your personal item under 16.25 x 13.5 x 8 inches. Remember that assigned seats replaced open boarding in January 2026, so book your seat early. Check in promptly to earn a good boarding group and claim overhead space before the bins fill up.
If you’re looking for the best travel gifts for women to bring on your Southwest Airlines flight, you may want to consider a pair of compact binoculars for hiking. These lightweight and portable binoculars are perfect for outdoor adventures and can easily fit in your carry-on baggage. Check out this article on compact binoculars for hiking for more information on this travel essential.
References
- Carry-On Bags — Southwest Airlines, official policy page
- 3-1-1 Liquids Rule — Transportation Security Administration (TSA)
- Southwest Airlines Carry-On Size Guide — Travel Bag Insider, last verified May 2026
- Southwest Airlines New Boarding Policy Changes — Simple Flying, March 2026