Checked Bag Size & Weight Limits (2026): 62 in / 23 kg Rules
Two numbers decide whether your checked bag size and weight are "standard" on almost every airline in the world: 62 linear inches (158 cm) and 50 lbs (23 kg). Go over either one and the bag moves into an oversize or overweight tier, where a single suitcase can cost more in fees than the flight itself.
This guide explains how airlines measure checked luggage, where the fee thresholds sit, how the piece and weight systems differ, and which suitcase sizes reliably stay inside the limits.
| Limit | Imperial | Metric | What happens above it |
|---|---|---|---|
| Standard size | 62 linear in | 158 cm | Oversize fee |
| Standard weight (economy) | 50 lbs | 23 kg | Overweight fee |
| Premium / elite weight | 70 lbs | 32 kg | Overweight fee, or refused |
| Typical hard maximum | 100 lbs / 115 linear in (US) | 32 kg (Europe, UK, Australia) | Must ship as cargo |
How Airlines Measure a Checked Bag
Checked luggage is measured in linear dimensions: length + width + height added together, including wheels, handles and any side pockets. A suitcase measuring 27 x 20 x 12 inches has a linear size of 59 inches and is inside the standard limit. Unlike carry-on bags, the individual sides do not matter — a long, flat ski bag and a cube-shaped trunk are treated the same way if they add up to the same total.
Weight is measured on the check-in scale with the bag as you hand it over. Airport scales are calibrated and the agent's reading is final, so a bag that weighs 23.4 kg is overweight even if your home scale said 23.0 kg. Leaving a 0.5–1 kg margin is the simplest way to avoid an argument at the counter.
Checked Bag Weight Limits: 23 kg vs 32 kg
The 23 kg (50 lb) limit is the global default for economy class. Business class, first class and frequent flyers with high status typically receive 32 kg (70 lbs) per bag instead. Some examples from our airline guides:
| Airline | Economy | Business / First | Size limit |
|---|---|---|---|
| American Airlines | 23 kg (50 lbs) | 32 kg (70 lbs) | 62 in / 158 cm |
| Delta Air Lines | 23 kg (50 lbs) | 32 kg (70 lbs) | 62 in / 158 cm |
| United Airlines | 23 kg (50 lbs) | 32 kg (70 lbs) | 62 in / 158 cm |
| Air Canada | 23 kg (50 lbs) | 32 kg (70 lbs) | 62 in / 158 cm |
| Lufthansa | 23 kg (50 lbs) | 32 kg (70 lbs) | 158 cm |
| Air France | 23 kg (50 lbs) | 32 kg (70 lbs) | 158 cm |
| SWISS | 23 kg (50 lbs) | 32 kg (70 lbs) | 158 cm |
| LATAM | 23 kg (50 lbs) | 32 kg (70 lbs) | 158 cm |
| Copa Airlines | 23 kg (50 lbs) | 32 kg (70 lbs) | 62 in / 158 cm |
Why 32 kg is a hard ceiling in many countries
In the UK, the European Union and Australia, airports and ground handlers generally refuse any single bag over 32 kg (70 lbs) because of manual-handling safety rules for baggage staff. US airlines are more flexible on domestic flights and often accept bags up to 100 lbs (45 kg) for a high overweight fee, but that flexibility usually disappears on international itineraries. If your bag is close to 32 kg, splitting it into two bags is almost always cheaper and safer than trying to check it as one.
Overweight and Oversize Fee Tiers
Most full-service airlines use the same tier structure, even though the exact prices differ by airline and route:
| Tier | Weight | Size | Typical treatment (US carriers) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Standard | Up to 50 lbs (23 kg) | Up to 62 in (158 cm) | Normal bag fee or included in fare |
| Overweight tier 1 | 51–70 lbs (23–32 kg) | — | Fixed surcharge per bag, commonly around $100 each way |
| Overweight tier 2 | 71–100 lbs (32–45 kg) | — | Higher surcharge, commonly around $200; not accepted on many international routes |
| Oversize | — | 63–80 in (159–203 cm) | Fixed surcharge per bag, often around $200 |
| Not accepted | Over 100 lbs (45 kg) | Over 115 in (292 cm) | Must travel as air cargo |
Surcharges stack: a bag that is both overweight and oversize usually pays both fees on top of the normal checked bag fee. In Europe and Asia, many airlines charge overweight by the kilogram instead of using fixed tiers, which makes a few extra kilos cheap but a badly overpacked bag very expensive.
Piece Concept vs Weight Concept
Airlines express checked allowances in two different ways, and the same airline can use both depending on the route.
- Piece concept: your fare includes a number of bags, each with its own limit — for example "2 bags x 23 kg". You cannot move weight from one bag to another. Flights to or from the USA and Canada almost always use this system, even on Asian and Middle Eastern airlines.
- Weight concept: your fare includes a total weight — for example 30 kg — that you can spread across several bags, usually still with a 32 kg maximum per bag. This system is common on Emirates, Singapore Airlines and Cathay Pacific routes outside the Americas.
When an itinerary combines both systems, the rule of the most significant carrier or the transatlantic/transpacific sector usually decides. Your e-ticket receipt shows the allowance that applies (for example "2PC" for two pieces or "30K" for 30 kilograms).
Checked Bags on Low-Cost Airlines
Low-cost carriers sell checked bags separately and often in several weight bands, so the "standard" 23 kg is just one option:
- Ryanair sells a 10 kg check-in bag and a 20 kg check-in bag.
- easyJet offers 15 kg, 23 kg and 26 kg hold bags, with a total size of up to 275 cm (length + width + height).
- Spirit, Frontier and Allegiant price checked bags dynamically by route and booking date, with the lowest price during booking and the highest at the airport.
The pattern is the same everywhere: the bag you add during booking is the cheapest, adding it later online costs more, and paying at the airport costs the most.
Which Suitcase Sizes Fit the 62-Inch Rule?
Suitcase "inch" sizes refer only to the height of the shell, not the total. Using typical measurements including wheels and handles:
| Suitcase class | Typical size (in) | Linear total | Within 62 in? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Medium 24–26" | 26 x 18 x 11 | 55 in (140 cm) | Yes, with room to expand |
| Large 28" | 28 x 19 x 12 | 59 in (150 cm) | Yes |
| Extra large 30" | 30 x 20 x 13 | 63 in (160 cm) | Often slightly over |
| Jumbo 32" | 32 x 21 x 14 | 67 in (170 cm) | No — oversize fee likely |
A large suitcase also makes it easy to exceed the weight limit: a fully packed 30" case regularly weighs over 25 kg. For most trips, two medium bags or one 28" bag is the safest combination. See our standard suitcase sizes chart for capacities in liters.
What You Must Not Put in a Checked Bag
Size and weight are not the only rules. Under FAA and IATA dangerous goods rules, spare lithium batteries and power banks must travel in the cabin, never in the hold. Keep medication, keys, travel documents, valuables and electronics in your carry-on as well, because airlines limit their liability for these items in checked baggage. Liquids are allowed in checked bags without the 100 ml limit; see our TSA liquid rules guide for the exceptions on alcohol and aerosols.
How to Avoid Overweight and Oversize Fees
- Weigh at home with a luggage scale and leave a margin of at least 0.5 kg.
- Pack heavy items in your cabin bag on airlines without a carry-on weight limit (most US carriers).
- Pay for a second bag instead of an overweight first bag — on most airlines, a second standard bag costs less than an overweight surcharge.
- Use the weight concept to your advantage when it applies: on a 30 kg allowance, two bags of 15 kg are free.
- Check co-branded credit card and status benefits, which often include a free first checked bag on US airlines.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the maximum size for a checked bag?
The standard limit is 62 linear inches (158 cm). Bags of 63–80 inches are usually accepted for an oversize fee; anything over about 115 inches (292 cm) must travel as cargo.
How much can a checked bag weigh?
50 lbs (23 kg) in economy and 70 lbs (32 kg) in premium cabins. Heavier bags are accepted for a fee by some airlines, but 32 kg is the maximum per bag at most airports in Europe, the UK and Australia.
Is a 28-inch suitcase allowed as a checked bag?
Usually yes — a typical 28" case totals about 59 linear inches. Most 30" and 32" cases exceed 62 inches.
Do wheels and handles count?
Yes. Airlines measure the outside of the bag, including wheels, handles and expanded pockets.
Can two travelers combine their checked bag allowance?
Some airlines allow pooling for passengers on the same booking who check in together, especially under the weight concept. It is not available on most piece-concept fares, so confirm with your airline before relying on it.