Southwest Airlines Baggage Rules: Carry-On, Personal Item and Bag Fees

Where these numbers come from

Southwest ended its long Bags Fly Free policy in 2025, and in April 2026 it raised the price again. For tickets booked and ticketed on or after April 9, 2026, the first checked bag is $45 and the second is $55 on the US mainland. A third or later bag is $150. The rates apply across Basic, Choice and Choice Preferred fares, while higher fares and some cardholders still get free bags, so check your fare before paying.

The cabin side is more generous than most rivals. One carry-on and one personal item are both free on every fare. The carry-on limit is 24 x 16 x 10 inches including wheels, handles and attachments, which is larger than the 22-inch limit at American, Delta or United. Southwest prints no weight limit for cabin bags and no dimensions for the personal item; it must simply fit under the seat in front of you.

A worked example shows the trade-off. Two people fly round trip with a carry-on each and one shared checked suitcase. The checked bag costs $45 each way, or $90 round trip. If they skip the suitcase and use two 24-inch carry-ons plus personal items, the bag cost is $0. On American or Delta, the larger carry-on limit would not exist, so a 24-inch bag might have to be checked for $90 or more.

Weight and size rules are stated plainly. A standard bag may weigh 50 pounds and measure 62 inches. From 51 to 70 pounds the extra charge is $100, and from 71 to 100 pounds it is $200. Bags of 63 to 80 inches add $200. Southwest does not accept bags above 100 pounds or 80 inches. A 60-pound suitcase therefore costs $145 each way, which is more than the ticket on some short hops.

Interisland Hawaii flights have their own schedule: $30 for the first bag and $40 for the second for non-residents, with lower overweight charges of $35 and $70. Those numbers do not apply on the mainland. Third-party guides sometimes list $150 for 51 to 70 pounds, but Southwest's own fee page shows $100, so use the official figure.

Price a full itinerary with the total bag cost calculator or test a heavy suitcase in the overweight and oversize fee calculator. To see how Southwest stacks up, read the American and Alaska pages, or the Southwest baggage fees page.

Sources

• Southwest optional travel charges
• Southwest carry-on and personal item policy
• Southwest checked baggage policy
• Deep Arrival: Southwest baggage fees

Figures checked on September 30, 2026.

This page is general information, not legal, insurance or travel-agent advice. Fees, rules and limits change, so confirm the figures with the official sources listed above before you book or travel.