Checked luggage gives you far more room than a carry-on, but it is not unlimited. Most airlines cap the size of a standard checked bag at the same figure — 62 linear inches — and add a weight limit on top. Go over either and the fees add up fast.
Here is what the 62-inch rule means, the usual weight limits, and how to avoid an oversize or overweight charge at check-in.
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Table of Content
- Quick answer
- The 62-inch rule explained
- Checked bag weight limits
- Oversize and overweight fees
- How to measure linear inches
- International flights
- Standard sizes and chart
- FAQs
Quick answer
The standard checked bag limit on most airlines is 62 linear inches (158 cm) — length, width and height added together — and a weight limit of 50 lb (23 kg) in economy. This is the same whether your airline calls it checked luggage, checked baggage, or a check-in bag. Larger or heavier bags are allowed on many airlines but incur oversize or overweight fees. Limits and fees vary by airline and fare, so check yours.
The 62-inch rule explained
Airlines measure checked bags in linear inches, which is just the three dimensions added together: length plus width plus height. The near-universal standard for a normal checked bag is 62 linear inches, or 158 cm.
So a suitcase measuring 28 x 20 x 12 inches adds up to 60 linear inches and is within the limit. Most large checked suitcases sold in shops are built to sit just under 62 inches for this reason. Major carriers such as Delta publish the same 62-inch and 50 lb standard.
Checked bag weight limits
Size is only half the story; weight is the other half. The typical limits are:
- Economy: 50 lb (23 kg) per bag
- Business and first: often 70 lb (32 kg) per bag
A cheap luggage scale pays for itself on the first trip. Weigh the packed bag at home, because reshuffling clothes into your carry-on at the check-in desk is nobody’s idea of a good start to a holiday.
Avoid overweight fees
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- Dr.meter PS02 Digital Luggage Scale: Weigh the packed bag before you leave home; it reads up to 110 lb (50 kg). Check price on Amazon
- Etekcity EL11 Luggage Scale: A lower-cost scale that does the same job. Check price on Amazon
Oversize and overweight fees
Go past 62 linear inches and the bag is oversized; go past the weight limit and it is overweight. Either one triggers a fee, and a bag that is both can be charged twice. Many airlines will not accept bags above roughly 80 linear inches (203 cm) or 70 lb (32 kg) at all, so very large or heavy items may need a specialist shipping service instead.
Because these fees vary so much, it is worth checking the cost before you fly. Our baggage fee calculator estimates what an extra or oversized bag will add to your trip.
How to measure linear inches
- Measure the height, width and depth of the packed bag at its widest points.
- Include wheels, handles and bulging pockets.
- Add the three numbers together — that total is your linear inches.
- Keep it under 62 inches (158 cm) to stay within the standard limit.
Flying with a cabin bag too? See our guide to carry-on luggage size limits for the other half of your baggage.
How airlines differ and how to avoid fees
The 62-inch guideline and the usual weight limits are an industry norm, not a universal law, and the exact figures vary between carriers — low-cost airlines in particular often set lower allowances and charge more for exceeding them. Always check the specific numbers for the airline and fare you have booked, since the allowance can even differ between cabin classes and routes on the same carrier.
A little preparation avoids the painful airport-counter fees. Weigh your packed bag at home on a bathroom scale — stand on it with and without the case and take the difference — so there are no surprises, and if you are travelling with more than one bag, spread the heavy items to keep each within its limit rather than overloading one. Oversize and overweight charges are billed separately and can stack up, so a bag that is both too big and too heavy is charged twice; measuring and weighing before you leave is the simplest way to keep your luggage in the standard allowance.
Checked baggage size for international flights
On international routes, most airlines keep the same 62 linear inch (158 cm) size limit for checked bags, so the size rarely changes when you fly abroad. What changes more often is the weight allowance and how it is counted.
Two systems are in use. Under the weight based system, common across Europe, Africa, the Middle East and Asia, economy passengers usually get one or two bags up to 23 kg (50 lb) each, though some fares allow only 20 kg. Under the piece based system, common on routes to and from the Americas, you get a set number of bags, each up to 23 kg (50 lb) and 62 linear inches. Business and first class often allow a higher weight, frequently 32 kg (70 lb) per bag. Because the exact allowance depends on the airline, route and fare, always check your ticket, and remember that low cost carriers set their own, usually lower, limits.
Standard checked bag sizes and a quick size chart
Suitcases are sold by their height in inches, and that height is the quickest way to tell whether a bag will fit the 62 linear inch rule. A large checked case is usually about 28 inches tall, which works out to roughly 60 linear inches, just inside the limit. Medium cases of 24 to 26 inches sit comfortably within it, while cases of 30 inches or more often go over 62 linear inches, so measure before you buy. Dimensions vary by brand, so treat the chart below as a guide.
| Suitcase size (height) | Typical dimensions (L x W x H, inches) | Linear inches | Within 62 in / 158 cm? |
|---|---|---|---|
| 24 in (medium) | 24 x 17 x 11 | about 52 | Yes |
| 26 in (medium to large) | 26 x 18 x 11 | about 55 | Yes |
| 28 in (large) | 28 x 20 x 12 | about 60 | Yes |
| 30 in (extra large) | 30 x 21 x 13 | about 64 | Often no, check |
| 32 in | 32 x 22 x 14 | about 68 | No |
Frequently asked questions
What is the maximum checked luggage size?
On most airlines the standard checked bag limit is 62 linear inches (158 cm), meaning the length, width and height added together must not exceed that total. Bags larger than this are treated as oversized and cost extra.
What does 62 linear inches mean?
Linear inches is simply the three dimensions of the bag added together: length plus width plus height. A 28 x 20 x 12 inch suitcase is 60 linear inches, which is within the standard 62-inch limit.
What is the checked bag weight limit?
For economy, the usual limit is 50 lb (23 kg) per bag. Business and first class often allow up to 70 lb (32 kg). Go over and you pay an overweight fee, so weigh your bag at home before you leave.
What happens if my checked bag is too big or too heavy?
You pay an oversize or overweight fee, which can be substantial. Many airlines refuse bags above roughly 80 linear inches (203 cm) or over 70 lb (32 kg) entirely, so very large or heavy items may need to be shipped instead.
Is checked luggage size the same on every airline?
The 62-inch (158 cm) limit is a common standard, but weight limits, fees and the number of bags included vary by airline, route and fare. Always confirm the details with your airline before you travel.
What is the standard or average checked bag size?
Most large checked suitcases are around 28 inches tall, roughly 60 linear inches, which sits just inside the common 62 inch (158 cm) limit. A 24 to 26 inch case is the typical medium size. Anything 30 inches or taller often exceeds 62 linear inches, so check the dimensions before you buy.
What is the checked baggage allowance for international flights?
The size limit is usually the same 62 linear inches (158 cm). Weight is commonly 23 kg (50 lb) per bag in economy, though some airlines allow only 20 kg, and business or first class often allow 32 kg (70 lb). Always confirm the allowance for your airline and fare.
Do airlines like Delta, American, or Qantas have different checked bag size limits?
Most major full service airlines, including Delta, American, United, Air Canada and Qantas, use the same 62 linear inch (158 cm) size limit. The real differences are in weight allowance, baggage fees and how many bags your fare includes, rather than the size of the bag itself.
Is check-in luggage the same as checked baggage?
Yes. Check-in luggage, checked baggage and a checked bag all mean the same thing: the bag you hand over at the counter to travel in the hold, rather than the carry-on you keep with you. The 62-inch size limit applies to all of them.
Does a 28-inch suitcase fit the 62-inch limit?
Usually, but it is close. A typical 28-inch suitcase measures around 60 to 63 linear inches once you add its length, width and depth, including wheels and handles. A 30-inch case often goes over 62 inches. Always add all three dimensions of your actual bag rather than relying on the headline height.