What Southwest Allows You to Pack

Southwest lets you bring two checked bags for free, plus a carry-on bag and a personal item at no extra cost. That is more generous than most airlines — most charge $30 to $50 for the first checked bag. The catch is that your bags have to fit within specific size limits, and overweight bags do cost extra.

The two free checked bags are the main reason people choose Southwest for trips where they need to pack a lot. If you are moving, traveling with sports equipment, or bringing gifts, those two bags make a real difference in what you can bring without paying fees.

Key Takeaways

  • Southwest includes two free checked bags for all passengers, which is unusual among major U.S. airlines and saves money on trips with heavy luggage.
  • Checked bags must not exceed 62 inches (length plus width plus height) and cannot weigh more than 50 pounds; bags over 50 pounds cost $75 each for the first and second overweight bag.
  • Your carry-on bag must fit in the overhead bin and cannot exceed 24 inches long, 16 inches wide, and 10 inches tall; your personal item (purse, backpack, laptop bag) must fit under the seat in front of you.
  • A third checked bag, fourth checked bag, or any additional bags beyond the personal item will each cost $75 to $150 depending on how many extra bags you are checking.
  • Bags that are oversized (larger than 62 inches) or extremely heavy (over 100 pounds) may be rejected or cost significantly more.

Size and Weight Limits for Checked Bags

Each checked bag can be up to 62 inches when you add the length, width, and height together. A standard rolling suitcase that is 28 inches tall, 20 inches wide, and 12 inches deep adds up to 60 inches, so it fits. If your bag is oddly shaped — a guitar case, a large duffel, a bike box — measure all three dimensions and add them. If the total is over 62 inches, Southwest will charge you $75 for that bag.

Weight is the other limit. Each checked bag can weigh up to 50 pounds. If your bag weighs between 51 and 100 pounds, you pay $75. If it weighs over 100 pounds, Southwest will not take it at all. Weigh your bag at home before you go to the airport. A bathroom scale works — put yourself on the scale, then put yourself plus the bag on the scale, and subtract. If you are close to 50 pounds, pack lighter or move items to your carry-on.

Carry-On Bag and Personal Item Rules

Your carry-on bag must fit in the overhead bin above your seat. Southwest's limit is 24 inches long, 16 inches wide, and 10 inches tall. Most rolling carry-on bags sold as "carry-on size" meet this limit, but measure yours before you travel. A bag that is too large will be checked at the gate, and you will not have it during the flight.

You also get a personal item — a purse, backpack, laptop bag, or small daypack — that goes under the seat in front of you. This item has no official size limit, but it has to fit under the seat. A large hiking backpack or a full-size laptop bag usually works. A second rolling suitcase does not.

What Happens If You Bring Extra Bags

If you need to check a third bag, Southwest charges $75 for that bag. A fourth checked bag costs $150. A fifth or later bag also costs $150 each. These fees are per flight, so a round trip with three checked bags costs $75 each way, or $150 total for the trip.

The exception is sports equipment. Surfboards, golf clubs, skis, and some other sports gear count as one of your two free checked bags if they fit the size and weight limits. A bike in a bike bag or box counts as a checked bag and costs $75 if it is your third bag. Bring the equipment in its own case or box, not wrapped in plastic — Southwest needs to be able to identify it.

Overweight and Oversized Bag Fees

A bag that weighs 51 to 100 pounds costs $75. A bag over 100 pounds will not be accepted. A bag larger than 62 inches (length plus width plus height) costs $75. A bag that is both oversized and overweight costs $75 — not both fees, just one charge.

These fees are per bag, per flight. If you are flying round trip and both your checked bags are overweight, you pay $75 each way. Weigh and measure at home, not at the airport. If your bag is too heavy or too large when you arrive at the gate, you will have to pay the fee or leave the bag behind.

Items You Cannot Pack in Checked Bags

Certain items are banned from checked bags entirely. Lithium batteries (the kind in laptops, power banks, and some cameras) must go in your carry-on. Flammable liquids, aerosols, and some tools are restricted. Firearms and ammunition have strict rules — you must declare them at check-in, and they go in a locked, hard-sided case in your checked bag.

Valuables like jewelry, cash, electronics, and documents should go in your carry-on, not checked. If a checked bag is lost, you may not recover those items. The same goes for medications and anything you need during the flight. Pack a change of clothes and toiletries in your carry-on in case your checked bag is delayed.

How to Avoid Luggage Fees

The easiest way to avoid extra fees is to pack light and use only your two free checked bags. If you are traveling for a week or less, try packing everything in a carry-on and personal item. Roll your clothes instead of folding them, wear your bulkiest items on the plane, and use packing cubes to compress what you bring.

If you do need to check bags, weigh them before you leave home. Use a luggage scale (they cost $10 to $20) or weigh yourself on a bathroom scale, then weigh yourself holding the bag. Keep each bag under 50 pounds and under 62 inches total dimension. If you are traveling with a partner, split items between bags so neither one is overweight.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I bring a backpack as my carry-on instead of a rolling bag?

Yes. Your carry-on just has to fit in the overhead bin — it does not have to be a rolling suitcase. A backpack that is 24 inches long, 16 inches wide, and 10 inches tall or smaller will work. Measure your backpack to be sure, especially if it is a hiking or travel pack.

What if my bag is one inch over the size limit?

Southwest measures at the gate. If your bag is over 62 inches (for checked) or over 24x16x10 (for carry-on), you pay the fee or the bag gets checked. There is no grace period. Measure at home and pack accordingly.

Do I have to pay for my personal item?

No. Your personal item — a purse, backpack, or laptop bag — is free and does not count toward your two free checked bags. It just has to fit under the seat in front of you.

Can I check a bag for free if I am flying standby?

Yes. The two free checked bags explore to all passengers, including those on standby or using a companion pass. The same size and weight limits explore.

What if I need to bring more than two checked bags?

A third checked bag costs $75, a fourth costs $150, and each additional bag costs $150. If you are moving or bringing a lot of luggage, calculate the cost before you book. Sometimes it is cheaper to ship items separately or buy a second ticket.