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Southwest Airlines checked bag limits: 50 lb (22.7 kg), 62 linear inches
Limits change; confirm with your airline before you fly. Every figure here links to the airline page it came from.
Travelpro Platinum Elite Hardside Checked Luggage
27.25 x 18 x 13 in, wheels and handles included; 11.1 lb listed
The largest checked suitcase in our catalog whose wheels-included listing size stays within Southwest’s 62 linear inches limit.
Under $500 Check price on Amazon
Prices change often.
What are Southwest's checked bag limits?
| Limit | Figure | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Standard weight | 50 lb (22.7 kg) | Southwest baggage page, checked 2026 |
| Size (L + W + H) | 62 linear inches | |
| Premium cabin weight | check the airline |
Overweight 51 to 70 lb and oversize 63 to 80 in are accepted for a fee.
How much is Southwest's overweight fee?
| Bag weight | Fee per bag, each way |
|---|---|
| 51 to 70 lb | $100 |
These are the bands on Southwest's own page, charged on top of the standard bag fee. Fees change; check the airline.
Which checked suitcases are within Southwest's size limit?
Checked bags within Southwest’s limits, and a scale
Amazon Basics 26" Hardside Medium Checked Luggage
26.8 x 17.8 x 11.3 in with wheels, 10.14 lbUnder $100Check price
Samsonite Omni PC Hardside Expandable Luggage with Spinner Wheels
26.5 x 17.75 x 11.75 in with wheels, 8.29 lbUnder $250Check price
Travelpro Platinum Elite Checked Luggage Spinner
28 x 18.5 x 11.75 in with wheels, 9.7 lbUnder $500Check price
Under $50Check price
Frequently asked questions
What are the Southwest checked baggage dimensions?
Southwest Airlines publishes 62 linear inches as the standard checked bag size, measured as length plus width plus height with wheels and handles; there is no separate per-side limit. On international flights the number of free bags changes with the fare more often than the per-bag size does, so confirm the allowance for your route.
What is the Southwest checked bag weight limit?
Southwest Airlines’s own page gives 50 lb (22.7 kg) for a standard checked bag. Overweight 51 to 70 lb and oversize 63 to 80 in are accepted for a fee. Weigh the packed bag at home: a luggage scale costs less than a single overweight fee at most airlines.
How big can a checked bag be on Southwest?
The standard size is 62 linear inches, measured as length plus width plus height with wheels and handles. Of the 17 checked suitcases in our catalog with wheels-included listing sizes, 9 are within it, the largest being 58.3 linear inches. 8 of the 28 to 30 inch cases are over it, so check a large case’s wheels-included figure before you buy it for Southwest.
What happens if my Southwest bag is overweight?
Southwest’s page lists overweight bands of $100 for 51 to 70 lb, per bag and direction, on top of the ordinary bag fee. Fees change; check the airline before you fly. Moving a few pounds into your carry-on is usually free.
Researched, not professional advice. Fees change often and differ by route, fare and status; check the airline before you fly.
