Budget airlines are renowned for their strict carry-on baggage regulations, and few more so than Irish carrier Ryanair. Here’s what you need to know about Ryanair’s carry-on size rules so you don’t fall foul and suffer the (expensive) consequences.
Carry-on details.
- 1 small bag flies free. Must fit under the seat max 40 x 30 x 20 cm (15.7 x 11.8 x 7.9 in). If you want overhead space, you'll need to buy Priority & 2 Cabin Bags.
- Strict size enforcement: If your bag doesn't fit in the sizing bin at the gate, expect to pay.
- Family perks: You get 2 free baby gear items (like a stroller or car seat) plus an 11 lb baby bag.
- Extra gear: Larger instruments or sports equipment can fly in-cabin, but only if you book an extra seat.
In this article
- Ryanair carry-on size rules: bag dimensions, weights and what else to know.
- What doesn’t count as carry-on luggage on Ryanair flights?
- Other carry-on questions? Answers to the most common FAQs.
- Top three carry-on luggage tips for Ryanair.
Ryanair carry-on size rules: bag dimensions, weights and what else to know.
Below is an illustration and table showing the allowed dimensions for Ryanair carry-on luggage size. As a European carrier, Ryanair lists its dimensions in centimeters and weights in kilograms. I’ve updated them to include the exact inches and pounds as well.
Last updated and fact-checked: May 28, 2026.
Ryanair cabin bag size update: what changed in 2025?
- Old dimensions: 40 x 25 x 20 cm / 15.7 x 9.8 x 7.9 in
- New dimensions: 40 x 30 x 20 cm / 15.7 x 11.8 x 7.9 in
Why it changed: the EU transport committee proposed standardising cabin bag sizes across European carriers and Ryanair’s update aligns with that initiative.
Heads up for US travelers: standard American carry-on bags (typically 22 x 14 x 9 in) exceed Ryanair’s cabin bag limit of 21.6 x 15.7 x 7.8 in and will not pass the gate sizer.
Always check your bag’s dimensions against Ryanair’s specific limits before you fly.
Every passenger can bring one free personal bag on board, like a handbag, laptop bag or small rucksack. It must be able to fit under the seat in front of you.
If you buy a ‘Priority & 2 Cabin Bags’ fare, you can also bring a bigger carry-on bag onboard, which must fit in the overhead bin.
If it’s too big or too heavy, you’ll need to pay and check it in as hold luggage or face a hefty added fee to do it at the gate. If your bag turns out to be too large for carry-on, Ryanair offers checked baggage options starting from 10 kg, with 20 kg and 23 kg tiers also available.
Adding checked baggage in advance online is significantly cheaper than paying at the airport, so it’s worth sorting before you get to the gate.
Traveling with a carry-on? Read our tips on how to pack a perfect carry-on.
Basic Ryanair carry-on essential info and top tips.
- The stated luggage dimensions include every part of your luggage. That means handles, wheels and any other protrusions. If your bag won't fit in the sizing bin at the gate, you will have to pay to check it in without exception.
- While Ryanair states a weight limit for carry-on luggage, I've never seen scales at the gate and have never seen a bag weighed. Although you always run a risk if you do exceed the limit, as long as you can lift the bag into the overhead compartment yourself, you should be fine.
- A reminder that your personal item must fit under the seat in front of you – and leave enough room for your feet as well!
How Ryanair’s bag sizer works.
- Ryanair uses a physical metal frame at the gate. Your bag must drop in freely, without forcing, compression, or staff assistance.
- Every part of your bag counts: wheels, handles, external pockets, and compression straps all contribute to total dimensions.
- Test at home by measuring your packed bag (not just the empty bag) across its widest points including any protrusions, since a bag that fits empty may fail the sizer when packed.
What doesn’t count as carry-on luggage on Ryanair flights?
Although Ryanair’s carry-on size policy is tightly regulated and strictly enforced, there are exceptions to its rules.
Traveling with babies and kids.
- Flying with a baby on Ryanair? You can bring two pieces of equipment for free for infants aged from eight days to 23 months.
- These can include a pushchair, car seat, booster seat or travel cot.
- Babies have no separate baggage allowance. You can however carry one baby bag on board weighing up to 11 lbs (5 kg) and measuring 17.7 x 13.8 x 7.8 inches (45 x 35 x 20 cm). This bag can include necessities like diapers, baby food, and bottles.
- If you're traveling with a child aged between two and 11 years, they can bring their own carry-on bag that "may exceed the dimension limits of the small bag".
- Frustratingly, Ryanair doesn't state exact kid's carry-on bag sizes. Instead, it suggests a Trunki suitcase or similar as an example of the type of kid's carry-on luggage size you can bring.
What else can you bring on board.
Ryanair lets you bring a range of other things on board alongside your carry-on bags. These include:
- EpiPens, capsules, tablets, pills, liquid medications (such as syrups or drops), inhalers, topical medications (like creams or gels), and diabetic supplies.
- As these items are generally small in size, you don't need to include them in your existing carry-on dimensions.
- If you want to carry a defibrillator in addition to or in your carry-on baggage, you need to obtain a medical equipment baggage waiver letter by contacting Ryanair's Special Assistance team. You'll need to present this waiver letter at the bag drop desk or at the boarding gate and will need to also carry a "fit to fly form" with you to show staff on the day of travel at the airport.
- Certain musical instruments and sports equipment can be brought on as carry-on items, as long as they comply with Ryanair's cabin bag dimensions and weight restrictions.
- For music and sports items that are bigger than carry-on size limits, you'll need to book an extra seat to bring it on board. When doing so, enter the word EXTRA as the first name and ITEM SEAT as the surname in the booking fields.
- There's no baggage allowance associated with buying an extra seat for your musical or sports equipment, so you can't bring extra carry-on luggage.
- If you don't want to buy an extra seat, you can check your item in by paying a fee.
Other carry-on questions? Answers to the most common FAQs.
It’s not uncommon to see Ryanair ground crew checking carry-on bags as passengers board and forcing oversized bags into the hold with all the associated fees.
To make sure you’re not that person arguing (futilely) at the gate, and causing delays, here are answers to the most common questions.
Ryanair is renowned for its strict enforcement of the rules regarding carry-on luggage. At the gate, staff use a physical metal frame matching the exact maximum dimensions.
Your bag must drop in freely, without forcing, compression, or any assistance from staff. If it doesn’t fit, it goes in the hold, no exceptions.
Enforcement does vary by airport and staff. Some airports (Krakow is frequently cited by travellers) are reported to be significantly stricter than others, with near-universal bag checks before boarding.
Soft-sided bags carry a specific risk worth knowing about: a bag that bulges beyond its stated dimensions due to packing will fail the sizer even if its empty dimensions are technically compliant. Pack it, then measure it.
If your bag is rejected at the gate, the fee you’ll pay is higher than if you’d added checked baggage online in advance. Sorting your baggage before you arrive at the airport is always the cheaper option.
Ryanair policy sets a 22 lb weight limit for carry-on bags. In practice however, it seldom if ever does this and scales aren’t a common sight at the gate.
It’s not unheard of though, so it’s always wise to make sure your carry-on bags aren’t too heavy.
Yes, a backpack qualifies as the free personal bag on all fares, provided it fits within 40 x 30 x 20 cm and slides under the seat in front of you.
If you want to bring a backpack and a separate cabin bag for the overhead locker, you must purchase Priority & 2 Cabin Bags. The backpack alone does not entitle you to overhead bin space.
Top three carry-on luggage tips for Ryanair.
Duncan Madden, travel expert
1. Board early.
If you pay for the priority fare that includes a carry-on bag as well as your smaller personal bag, don’t leave it till the last minute to board. Nowadays, more and more travelers opt for carry-on over checked bags, but overhead bin space is still limited.
If you leave it till the last minute to board you may find yourself having to stow your bag far from your seat, which can delay you when deboarding. Even worse, if there’s no space left, your bag may be checked into the hold.
2. Choose emergency exit or bulkhead seats carefully.
If you’re sitting in an emergency exit or bulkhead row, you won’t be able to have your personal bag or any other loose items with you during take off and landing. You’ll need to stow everything in the overhead bin, but can take it out during the rest of the flight.
3. Personal bags go under the seat.
Due to the lack of bin space, Ryanair crew will usually make passengers stow backpacks, laptop bags and smaller personal items under the seat in front of you.
If they don’t fit, you may be forced to pay an extra fee. You can’t carry them on your lap or in the space below your seat as these are considered obstructions in case of emergencies.
Ryanair doesn’t allow any live animals in the cabin of its planes, except for guide or assistance dogs. These must be certified by an organization that’s a full member of Assistance Dogs International (ADI), Assistance Dogs UK, or the International Guide Dog Federation (IGDF). It doesn’t recognize emotional support or therapy dogs.
