Hand luggage · cabin bag

Lufthansa carry-on size and weight limits

The Lufthansa carry-on size (hand luggage allowance) by fare, in centimetres and inches, with the weight limit and whether the bag is included. Checked September 2026.

Lufthansa hand luggage limits at a glance

40 cm · 15.5 in55 cm23 cmOverhead locker
Drawn to scale. Dashed box inside each bag: the size that fits every airline we track.

Cabin bag (overhead locker)

Economy

55 × 40 × 23 cm

21.5 × 15.5 × 9 in

8 kg (18 lb)

Included in the fare

The cabin bag on Economy fares can measure up to 55 × 40 × 23 cm (21.5 × 15.5 × 9 in) and weigh up to 8 kg (18 lb). It is included in the fare. Dimensions include wheels and handles — measure the bag packed, not empty, because a full front pocket can add a couple of centimetres.

Airlines change cabin-bag rules often. These figures were checked in September 2026. Always confirm on Lufthansa’s official baggage page (opens in a new tab) before you fly — the airline’s own rules apply at the gate.

How to pack for Lufthansa’s limits

The 55 × 40 × 23 cm cabin bag is a standard overhead-bin size. A soft-sided bag gives you more room for the same outer dimensions than a hard shell, and packing cubes stop it bulging past the depth limit.

  • Wear your heaviest shoes and jacket on the plane — they don’t count towards the bag.
  • Roll or fold clothes into packing cubes and keep the bag’s depth in check; depth is the measurement most bags fail.
  • Plan outfits that share pieces, so three tops and two bottoms cover a week. The outfit planner works this out per day.
  • Weigh the packed bag at home: 8 kg (18 lb) is the limit to beat. Luggage scales are cheap and save surprises at the gate.

For a full list built around a small bag, see the carry-on only packing list and our guide to packing carry-on only for a week.

Liquids in hand luggage

Most airports still limit cabin liquids to containers of 100 ml (3.4 oz) in one clear 1-litre bag. Some airports with new scanners allow more — check your departure airport before you fly.

How Lufthansa compares

If your bag is at Lufthansa’s cabin bag limit (55 × 40 × 23 cm), it also fits the matching rule at 3 other airlines we track:

Want one bag for every airline? Taking the smallest length, width and depth across all cabin-bag rules we track gives 55 × 35 × 20 cm (21.5 × 14 × 8 in): a bag within that size fits all of them. Sides are compared longest to longest, because a bag can be turned to fit the sizer.

Longest side 55 cm is 21.5 in. Inches are rounded to the nearest half inch.

Lufthansa hand luggage: quick answers

What size carry-on does Lufthansa allow?

The cabin bag on Economy fares can measure up to 55 × 40 × 23 cm (21.5 × 15.5 × 9 in) and weigh up to 8 kg (18 lb). It is included in the fare. Checked September 2026 — confirm on Lufthansa’s own page before you fly.

Does Lufthansa weigh hand luggage?

Lufthansa publishes a 8 kg (18 lb) limit for the cabin bag. A packed bag adds up fast: a typical empty wheeled cabin case weighs around 2–3 kg.

Will my Lufthansa bag fit on other airlines?

A bag at Lufthansa’s cabin bag limit (55 × 40 × 23 cm) also fits the matching limits of easyJet (Large cabin bag add-on), British Airways (Economy), Southwest (All fares), based on the rules we track.

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