Is a 22-Inch Suitcase a Carry-On? Only If the Wheels Fit Too
Sometimes, but often not. The usual US carry-on limit is 22 x 14 x 9 inches, and the big US airlines count the wheels and handles in that 22. Many suitcases sold as "22-inch" measure 22 inches in the shell alone, so with wheels on the bottom and a handle on top they come out taller than the limit. A suitcase sold as "20-inch" is more often the one that fits.
The limit counts wheels and handles
Here's what the three biggest US airlines say on their own carry-on pages:
- United: 9 x 14 x 22 inches (23 x 35 x 56 cm). United says to include the handle and wheels when you measure.
- American: 22 x 14 x 9 inches (56 x 36 x 23 cm), including handles and wheels.
- Delta: 22 x 14 x 9 inches (56 x 35 x 23 cm), and Delta says the measurements include any handles or wheels.
So the number that matters is the outside size of the whole bag, standing up, with the handle pushed all the way down.
Why "22-inch" often means too tall
Luggage makers name sizes in different ways. Some use the shell, the hard or fabric body of the case. Others use the full height. Wheels usually add an inch or more, and the handle housing on top can add a little more.
You can see this in the listings for the carry-ons on our page:
- The Betsey Johnson 20-inch lists 20 x 14 x 9 inches without wheels and handle, and 21.8 x 14 x 9 inches with them. The wheels and handle add 1.8 inches.
- The Monos 20-inch is sold as a 20-inch shell and measures 22 x 14 x 9 inches overall, right on the limit.
- The LOVEVOOK 20-inch lists 21.45 x 13.78 x 9 inches including wheels.
All three are "20-inch" bags, and all three come out at about 22 inches tall. A suitcase with a true 22-inch shell would be around 24 inches with its wheels.
Height isn't the only number that trips people up
Bags get stopped for width and depth too:
- Width over 14 inches. Plenty of popular hard shells are 14.5 or even 15 inches wide. That half inch is enough to stick in a strict sizer.
- Depth over 9 inches. Expandable cases often measure 9 inches closed and 10 or more inches when the expansion zipper is open. If you pack it expanded, it may no longer be a carry-on.
- Bulging pockets. A soft front pocket stuffed full adds depth. Pack the front pocket flat.
How to check before you buy
- Find the line that says "including wheels" or "overall". If a listing gives only one size and doesn't say what it includes, assume it might be the shell.
- Check all three numbers. Height 22 or less, width 14 or less, depth 9 or less.
- Check the expanded size. If you plan to use the expansion, that's the depth that counts.
- Measure the one you own. Stand it up with the handle down. Measure from the floor to the top of the handle housing, then the widest point (often across the wheels or side handle), then front to back.
Flying outside the US
Other airlines use other limits. Air Canada's standard carry-on is 23 x 40 x 55 cm, about 9 x 15.5 x 21.5 inches, and it also includes wheels and handles. That's a little shorter than the US limit, so a bag at exactly 22 inches can be too tall there. Many airlines abroad also weigh carry-ons. For trips overseas, see our carry-on weight limits on international flights.
Most 22-inch bags are too tall; a 20-inch bag usually fits
If you want a suitcase that fits a 22 x 14 x 9 inch limit with room to spare, shop for one sold as 20-inch whose listing gives the full size with the wheels. Our top pick, the LOVEVOOK 20-inch, lists 21.45 x 13.78 x 9 inches including wheels. For four carry-ons compared side by side, see our best carry-on luggage for women.