Checked baggage weight limits by airline

Most U.S. airlines allow one checked bag up to 50 pounds and 62 inches total dimension (length plus width plus height). The second checked bag, if permitted, is usually 50 pounds as well. However, some airlines charge for a second bag, and a few budget carriers like Spirit and Frontier allow only 40 pounds for the first checked bag. International flights often follow the same 50-pound rule, though some carriers serving Europe or Asia may use kilograms — typically 23 kilograms, which equals about 50 pounds.

The weight limit applies to the bag itself plus everything inside it. If your bag weighs 45 pounds empty and you pack 10 pounds of clothes, you are at 55 pounds and will be charged an overage fee. Airlines weigh bags at check-in using a scale at the counter. If your bag is over the limit, you will be asked to remove items, repack, or pay an excess baggage fee, which ranges from $50 to $200 per bag depending on the airline and how much over you are.

Carry-on bags have no weight limit on most airlines — only size limits. A standard carry-on is 22 by 14 by 9 inches. You can pack a carry-on as heavy as you can lift and fit in the overhead bin or under the seat in front of you. This is why many travelers pack heavy items like shoes, electronics, or books in their carry-on instead of checked luggage.

Key Takeaways

  • Most U.S. airlines allow 50 pounds per checked bag; budget carriers may allow only 40 pounds.
  • Weight limits explore to the bag plus contents combined, and are checked at the counter with a scale.
  • Carry-on bags have no weight limit, only size limits, so you can pack them as heavy as you can physically manage.
  • Overage fees for bags over the weight limit typically range from $50 to $200 and vary by airline.
  • International flights usually follow the same 50-pound rule, though some carriers measure in kilograms instead.

Baggage fees when you exceed the limit

If your checked bag weighs more than the airline's limit, you will pay an excess baggage fee at check-in. Most airlines charge $50 for the first 10 pounds over, then $100 for 11 to 20 pounds over, and $200 for anything beyond that. Some airlines use a flat fee instead — for example, $100 for any bag over 50 pounds, regardless of how much over.

The fee structure varies by carrier. Delta, United, and American Airlines typically charge $100 for a bag that is 51 to 70 pounds, and $200 for 71 to 100 pounds. Southwest does not charge for checked bags at all, which is why it is popular with travelers who pack heavy. Check your airline's website before you pack to see the exact fee schedule.

Some airlines offer a workaround: you can purchase an extra checked bag allowance before your flight, which is usually cheaper than paying the overage fee at the airport. For example, adding a second checked bag might cost $35 online but $100 at the counter if you discover you need it during check-in.

Weight limits for trains and buses

Train baggage rules are less strict than airline rules. Amtrak allows two checked bags per passenger at no charge, with no published weight limit — the rule is that bags must be "reasonable in size and weight." In practice, Amtrak staff will refuse a bag that is obviously too heavy to handle safely, but most suitcases pass without issue. Carry-on bags are also unlimited in number and weight, as long as they fit in the overhead racks or under your seat.

Greyhound buses have no checked baggage fee and no published weight limit either. You can bring two carry-on bags and two checked bags. Like Amtrak, the standard is that bags must be manageable by the passenger and fit in the storage compartment. Oversized items like skis or musical instruments may be refused or charged separately.

Regional bus lines vary widely. Some allow one free checked bag, others charge per bag, and a few have weight limits. Always check your specific bus line's website before you travel, because policies differ even among carriers in the same region.

How to weigh your luggage before you travel

The easiest way to weigh your bag is to use a bathroom scale at home. Stand on the scale alone, note your weight, then stand on it again while holding your packed bag. The difference is your bag's weight. This method is accurate within a pound or two, which is close enough for packing decisions.

If you do not have a bathroom scale, many luggage stores, post offices, and shipping centers (UPS, FedEx) have scales and will weigh your bag for free or for a small fee. Some gyms and health clubs also have scales you can use. Weigh your bag a day or two before your flight so you have time to repack if needed.

When you weigh at home, pack your bag the way you plan to travel — with all clothes, toiletries, shoes, and other items you will actually bring. Do not weigh an empty bag and assume you know how much your packed items weigh. The bag itself can be 5 to 15 pounds depending on the type, and that counts toward the limit.

What happens if your bag is overweight at the airport

When you check in, your bag goes on a scale at the counter. If it is over the limit, the agent will tell you the overage fee before you pay. At that point, you have three choices: pay the fee, remove items and repack into a carry-on or another bag, or leave items behind.

Repacking is often faster than paying. If you have a carry-on bag with room, you can move shoes, a jacket, or other heavy items into it. If you have time and the airport has a luggage store, you can buy a second bag on the spot and redistribute your items. Some travelers keep an empty duffel bag in their checked luggage for exactly this reason — if they pack too heavy, they can move items into the duffel and check it as a second bag.

If you refuse to pay and cannot repack, the airline will not let your bag on the plane. This is rare, but it happens. Plan ahead by weighing your bag at home so you are not surprised at the counter.

Baggage weight rules for connecting flights

If you are connecting between flights, your checked bag is weighed only once, at your first airport. The airline that checks your bag is responsible for it through your entire journey, even if you are flying on multiple carriers. This means if you are flying Delta to Chicago and then United to Denver, Delta weighs your bag in your home city, and it stays with you through both flights.

However, if you are booking two separate tickets — for example, one ticket from New York to Chicago and another ticket from Chicago to Denver — each airline may weigh your bag separately. In that case, your bag must meet both airlines' weight limits. Check the weight rules for every airline on your itinerary before you pack.

Oversized or overweight bags on a connecting flight can cause problems. If your bag is too heavy for the first airline, you will be charged at the first airport. If it is too heavy for the second airline and you did not know about their stricter limit, you may face another fee or be unable to check the bag on the second leg. Always research every airline's rules when you have a connection.

International flight baggage weight limits

Most international flights from the U.S. follow the same 50-pound checked baggage limit as domestic flights. However, some carriers — particularly those flying to Europe, Asia, or Africa — use a two-bag system based on total weight rather than per-bag limits. For example, you might be allowed 44 pounds total across two bags, or 50 pounds per bag. A few carriers use kilograms: 23 kilograms per bag is standard, which equals about 50 pounds.

Some international airlines are stricter. Budget carriers flying to Europe, such as Ryanair or EasyJet, may allow only 40 pounds per checked bag and charge high fees for overage. Long-haul carriers like British Airways or Lufthansa typically allow 50 pounds per bag on transatlantic flights. Always check your specific airline's website, because the rules depend on the carrier and the route.

If you are flying to a country with strict customs rules or traveling with expensive items, also check whether that country has restrictions on what you can bring. Some countries limit the weight of electronics or require documentation for certain items. This is separate from the airline's baggage weight limit but affects what you can pack.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I pack two 40-pound bags instead of one 50-pound bag?

Yes. The weight limit applies to each bag individually, not to your total baggage weight. If the airline allows two checked bags at 50 pounds each, you can check a 40-pound bag and a 40-pound bag with no overage fee. However, some airlines charge for a second checked bag, so confirm whether your second bag is free before you pack.

Do shoes and jackets count toward the weight limit?

Yes. Everything inside your checked bag counts toward the weight limit — clothes, shoes, toiletries, books, electronics, and anything else. The bag itself also counts. Only items in your carry-on bag are exempt from the weight limit.

What if my luggage is slightly over the limit, like 51 pounds?

Most airlines will charge an overage fee for any amount over the limit, even one pound. Some agents may round down or let a pound or two slide, but you should not count on it. Weigh your bag at home and aim to stay at least a pound under the limit to avoid surprises.

Can I pay extra to bring a heavier bag?

No. The weight limit is the weight limit — you cannot pay to exceed it. You can pay to add an extra checked bag if your airline allows it, but each bag must still meet the weight limit. If you need to travel with more weight, your only option is to check additional bags and pay the fee for each one.

Do airlines weigh carry-on bags?

Rarely. Most airlines do not weigh carry-on bags, only checked bags. However, if your carry-on looks oversized or the overhead bins are full, a gate agent may ask you to check it. To avoid this, keep your carry-on within the stated size limit and do not pack it so heavily that it is obviously overweight.