Lufthansa carry-on size

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

Lufthansa allows a carry-on up to 21.7 x 15.7 x 9.1 in, measured including wheels and handles. Put your own bag's measurements in below — it opens with Lufthansa's own limit filled in.

Lufthansa carry-on size

Carry-on maximum21.7 x 15.7 x 9.1 in (including wheels and handles)
Personal item15.7 x 11.8 x 5.9 in
Cabin weight limit18 lb (8 kg)
Is the carry-on free?Yes, included with your fare
If it does not fitMoved to the hold.

Basic Economy: Economy Basic on short- and medium-haul includes ONLY the personal item (40 x 30 x 15 cm) — no full-size carry-on.

Lufthansa publishes in centimetres: carry-on 55 x 40 x 23 cm at 8 kg, personal item 40 x 30 x 15 cm. Inches converted here. The carry-on is included on Economy Light, Comfort and Flex and above.

Read from Lufthansa's own baggage page on 2026-08-10: https://www.lufthansa.com/us/en/carry-on-baggage

How Lufthansa compares

Lufthansa's 21.7 x 15.7 x 9.1 in works out to about 3100 cubic inches (50.8 litres) of cabin allowance, which ranks 8 of 22 among the airlines we have verified, about 5% more than the median carrier.

The same 21.7 x 15.7 x 9.1 in limit is used by 1 other airline here — Turkish Airlines. A bag bought to that spec travels widely, which is exactly why it is the size most luggage is sold in.

7 of the airlines we track allow a larger bag and 13 allow less, so a bag sized to Lufthansa clears roughly 64% of the carriers here.

Will a real bag fit Lufthansa?

Common bag sizes measured against Lufthansa's published limit. Every figure includes wheels and handles, which is where most bags lose.

BagSizeOn LufthansaWhy it matters
Cabin-max spinner22 × 14 × 9 inToo big by 0.3 inThe standard US carry-on, sold as “22-inch”
Compact 21-inch21 × 14 × 9 inOnly just — 0.1 in spareA common step down
European cabin bag21.7 × 15.7 × 7.9 inOnly just — 0 in spareSized to 55 x 40 x 20 cm
Underseat tote17 × 13 × 8 inFits, 1.1 in spareTypical personal-item size
Oversized “carry-on”24 × 16 × 10 inToo big by 2.3 inSold as carry-on, larger than most limits

Carry-on vs personal item on Lufthansa

Lufthansa allows a personal item up to 15.7 x 11.8 x 5.9 in alongside the 21.7 x 15.7 x 9.1 in carry-on. Both are included in the fare, so the practical question is only whether each bag is within its own limit.

Lufthansa personal item size →

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FAQ

What is the carry-on size limit for Lufthansa?

Lufthansa allows a carry-on up to 21.7 x 15.7 x 9.1 in, measured including wheels and handles. Lufthansa publishes in centimetres: carry-on 55 x 40 x 23 cm at 8 kg, personal item 40 x 30 x 15 cm. Inches converted here. The carry-on is included on Economy Light, Comfort and Flex and above.

Does Lufthansa 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 Lufthansa?

Moved to the hold.

Does Lufthansa weigh carry-on bags?

Lufthansa publishes a cabin weight limit of 18 lb (8 kg). 8 kg for the carry-on.

What personal item does Lufthansa allow?

Up to 15.7 x 11.8 x 5.9 in. Personal item up to 40 x 30 x 15 cm, included on every fare.

Do wheels and handles count?

Yes. Lufthansa 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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