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Packing cube calculator

Updated 2026-09-24. Researched from airline pages and published specifications.

Quick answerA 22 inch carry-on for a one-week trip takes one large, one medium and one small cube, about 17 litres of folded clothing. A medium checked bag for two weeks takes two large, one medium and one small. Buying more cubes than the bag can hold only adds weight.
Packing cube calculatorTypical values, stated
Cubes to buy 1 L / 1 M / 1 S
Clothing volume for 7 days17.5 L
Usable space in the bag30 L of 40 L
Does it all fit?yes

The remaining quarter of the bag is for shoes, toiletries and anything bought on the trip.

How it works: clothing volume = days (capped at 7 with laundry) x litres per day; cubes are filled largest first up to 75 percent of the bag's usable volume

Uses typical cube volumes (large about 12 L, medium about 7 L, small about 3 L) and about 2.5 L of folded clothing per day. Compression cubes hold roughly a third more.

Packing cube sets

Frequently asked questions

How many packing cubes do I need for a carry-on?

For a 21 or 22 inch carry-on, one large cube, one medium and one small is enough for a week, filling roughly three quarters of the case and leaving room for shoes and a toiletry bag. Sets sold as 6 or 8 cubes usually contain more than one carry-on can hold, which is fine as long as you only pack the ones you need.

Do compression packing cubes save space?

Yes, typically about a quarter to a third of the volume for soft clothing, because the second zip squeezes air out. They do not reduce weight, so on airlines with a 7 to 10 kg carry-on cap they can let you pack more than you are allowed to carry.

Researched, not professional advice. Airline limits and fees change; confirm with your airline before you fly.

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