Spirit carry-on limits at a glance
Personal item (under the seat)
Bare fare
46 × 36 × 20 cm
18 × 14 × 8 in
No published weight limit
Included in the fare
The personal item on Bare fare fares can measure up to 46 × 36 × 20 cm (18 × 14 × 8 in), and the airline publishes no weight limit for it. 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 Spirit’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 Spirit’s limits
On Spirit’s bare fare fare you get one small bag that must fit under the seat in front of you. At 46 × 36 × 20 cm, that is a backpack or a small holdall, not a wheeled case. It is enough for a weekend if you wear your bulkiest layers and shoes on the flight and pack a small capsule: two or three tops, one spare bottom, underwear, a light layer and toiletries in a clear liquids bag.
- 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. 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 carry-on
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 Spirit compares
A bag at Spirit’s personal item limit (46 × 36 × 20 cm) is bigger on at least one side than the matching rule at every other airline we track — so check each airline before reusing it.
Want one bag for every airline? Taking the smallest length, width and depth across all personal-item rules we track gives 40 × 25 × 15 cm (15.5 × 10 × 6 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 46 cm is 18 in. Inches are rounded to the nearest half inch.
Spirit carry-on: quick answers
What size carry-on does Spirit allow?
The personal item on Bare fare fares can measure up to 46 × 36 × 20 cm (18 × 14 × 8 in), and the airline publishes no weight limit for it. It is included in the fare. Checked September 2026 — confirm on Spirit’s own page before you fly.
Does Spirit weigh carry-on bags?
Spirit doesn’t publish a weight limit for this bag in the rule we track, so size is what matters — but you must be able to lift it into the overhead bin yourself.
Will my Spirit bag fit on other airlines?
A bag at Spirit’s limit (46 × 36 × 20 cm) is larger on at least one side than every other airline’s matching rule we track, so check each airline before reusing it.