Delta Air Lines carry-on size

Updated 2026-08-10 · Source: https://www.delta.com/us/en/baggage/carry-on-baggage · Free · No sign-up

Delta Air Lines allows a carry-on up to 22 x 14 x 9 in, measured including wheels and handles. Put your own bag's measurements in below — it opens with Delta Air Lines's own limit filled in.

Delta Air Lines carry-on size

Carry-on maximum22 x 14 x 9 in (including wheels and handles)
Personal itemNo numeric size published — it must fit under the seat
Cabin weight limitNone published
Is the carry-on free?Yes, included with your fare
If it does not fitGate-checked, and the checked-bag fee applies.

Delta also caps the carry-on at 45 linear inches (length + width + height), so a bag can be within 22 x 14 x 9 on each side and still be measured overall.

Read from Delta Air Lines's own baggage page on 2026-08-10: https://www.delta.com/us/en/baggage/carry-on-baggage

How Delta Air Lines compares

Delta Air Lines's 22 x 14 x 9 in works out to about 2772 cubic inches (45.4 litres) of cabin allowance, which ranks 15 of 22 among the airlines we have verified, about 7% less than the median carrier.

The same 22 x 14 x 9 in limit is used by 6 other airlines here — American Airlines, United Airlines, Alaska Airlines, JetBlue and others. A bag bought to that spec travels widely, which is exactly why it is the size most luggage is sold in.

13 of the airlines we track allow a larger bag and 2 allow less, so a bag sized to Delta Air Lines clears roughly 14% of the carriers here.

Will a real bag fit Delta Air Lines?

Common bag sizes measured against Delta Air Lines's published limit, including its 45-inch cap on length plus width plus height. Every figure includes wheels and handles, which is where most bags lose.

BagSizeOn Delta Air LinesWhy it matters
Cabin-max spinner22 × 14 × 9 inOnly just — 0 in spareThe standard US carry-on, sold as “22-inch”
Compact 21-inch21 × 14 × 9 inOnly just — 0 in spareA common step down
European cabin bag21.7 × 15.7 × 7.9 inOver the linear capSized to 55 x 40 x 20 cm
Underseat tote17 × 13 × 8 inFits, 1 in spareTypical personal-item size
Oversized “carry-on”24 × 16 × 10 inOver the linear capSold as carry-on, larger than most limits

What it costs if it does not fit

If it does not fit, the bag gets checked — and on Delta Air Lines a first checked bag costs $45 each way, with another $100 if it is over 50 lb. On a return trip that is $90 for a bag you meant to carry on.

Checked-bag fees read from Delta Air Lines's own page on 2026-08-07. Price a full itinerary →

Carry-on vs personal item on Delta Air Lines

Delta Air Lines does not publish a numeric personal-item size — the rule is simply that it fits under the seat in front of you. Any exact figure you find quoted elsewhere is someone's inference rather than Delta Air Lines's stated limit, which is why we do not repeat one.

Delta Air Lines personal item size →

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FAQ

What is the carry-on size limit for Delta Air Lines?

Delta Air Lines allows a carry-on up to 22 x 14 x 9 in, measured including wheels and handles. Delta also caps the carry-on at 45 linear inches (length + width + height), so a bag can be within 22 x 14 x 9 on each side and still be measured overall.

Does Delta Air Lines charge for a carry-on?

No — a full-size carry-on is included with your fare, alongside a personal item.

What happens if my bag is too big for Delta Air Lines?

Gate-checked, and the checked-bag fee applies.

Does Delta Air Lines weigh carry-on bags?

Delta Air Lines publishes no cabin weight limit for the main carry-on on most fares, though staff can still refuse a bag you cannot lift into the locker yourself.

What personal item does Delta Air Lines allow?

Delta publishes NO numeric personal-item size. The requirement is that it fits under the seat in front of you. Sites quoting an exact Delta personal-item figure are inferring it, not citing Delta.

Do wheels and handles count?

Yes. Delta Air Lines measures the bag including wheels, handles and any external pockets, which is why a bag sold as “22 inch” can still measure over.

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