easyJet’s cabin bag policy is one of the most misunderstood among UK budget airlines. Many passengers assume they can bring a full-size rolling carry-on for free. They can’t — and finding that out at the gate is expensive.
This guide covers easyJet’s current cabin bag rules for 2026: exact dimensions, what’s free, what costs extra, and how to travel without paying more than you need to.
easyJet cabin bag sizes: the quick version
There are two easyJet cabin bag sizes. The confusion is that only the smaller one is free for all passengers.
| Bag type | Max dimensions | Weight limit | Who gets it free? | Where it goes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Small cabin bag | 45 × 36 × 20 cm | No limit | Everyone | Under the seat |
| Large cabin bag | 56 × 45 × 25 cm | No limit | Plus / Inclusive only | Overhead locker |
Both dimensions include handles and wheels. easyJet measures the full bag, not just the body.
The free bag: 45 × 36 × 20 cm
Every easyJet passenger is entitled to bring one small cabin bag free of charge, with maximum dimensions of 45 × 36 × 20 cm including any handles and wheels. This bag goes under the seat in front of you — not in the overhead locker.
In practical terms, this covers a standard laptop backpack, a large handbag, a small soft holdall or duffel, most tote bags, and a 20-litre daypack.
What it doesn’t cover is a traditional rolling suitcase, even a small one. The 45 × 36 × 20 cm limit is specifically designed to fit under an aircraft seat. Most rolling carry-ons — even compact ones — exceed these dimensions.
Weight: There is no weight limit on the free small bag. You can load it as heavy as you can carry, though easyJet staff can refuse a bag they deem too heavy to lift safely.
The large cabin bag: 56 × 45 × 25 cm
The large cabin bag — the one that fits in the overhead locker — has maximum dimensions of 56 × 45 × 25 cm including handles and wheels. This is the standard overhead carry-on size used by most UK budget airlines.
The catch: this is not free for most easyJet passengers. To bring a large cabin bag into the overhead locker, you need one of the following:
- An easyJet Plus membership — an annual subscription that includes large cabin bag access on all flights
- An Inclusive Plus fare — the premium fare tier that bundles the large cabin bag with other extras
- To pay for it separately — you can add a large cabin bag to any booking for a fee, either during booking or added later
How much does it cost to add the large cabin bag? Prices vary by route and how far ahead you book. Adding it at the time of booking is cheaper than adding it later. Adding it online is always cheaper than paying at the airport. Gate prices are significantly higher — if you turn up at the gate with an oversized bag and haven’t paid, you’ll pay the gate rate.
No weight limit applies to the large cabin bag. You can pack 56 × 45 × 25 cm to the hilt.
Does easyJet check cabin bag size?
easyJet has sizing boxes at the gate on most routes. If your bag doesn’t fit, you’ll be asked to check it in and charged the gate baggage fee.
This is enforced inconsistently — some routes and airports are strict, others less so — but you cannot rely on getting through unchecked. If you’re travelling on a busy route or from a busy airport, enforcement is more likely.
The safest approach is to bring a bag you know fits. If you’re unsure, check before you pack.
easyJet cabin bag vs other UK airlines
easyJet’s free bag policy is more restrictive than Jet2 and British Airways, which include a full overhead cabin bag for all passengers at no extra charge. It’s broadly similar to Ryanair and Wizz Air, which also only include a small underseat bag for free.
| Airline | Free overhead bag? | Free underseat bag size |
|---|---|---|
| easyJet | Paid or Plus / Inclusive | 45 × 36 × 20 cm |
| Ryanair | Paid or Priority | 40 × 20 × 25 cm |
| Wizz Air | Paid or WIZZ Priority | 40 × 30 × 20 cm |
| Jet2 | Yes — all passengers | 40 × 30 × 20 cm |
| British Airways | Yes — all passengers | 45 × 36 × 20 cm |
| TUI | Yes — all passengers | 40 × 30 × 20 cm |
For a full comparison across all major UK airlines, see our hand luggage size guide for UK airlines.
How to measure your bag correctly
easyJet measures the full external dimensions of the bag — including all protrusions, handles, and wheels. If you’re measuring at home: use a tape measure, not a ruler; measure at the widest, tallest, and deepest points; for the small bag, measure with any external pockets full as they would be when you travel; for a bag with a retractable handle, measure with the handle retracted; for a bag with wheels, include the height of the wheels in your total measurement.
If your bag is right at the limit, a soft bag will give you more flexibility. Soft-sided holdalls and backpacks can compress slightly into the sizer box; hard-shell suitcases cannot.
What size bag should I buy for easyJet?
If you want the largest bag you can bring free on easyJet, you need something within 45 × 36 × 20 cm that fits under the seat. A 20–25 litre backpack or a structured laptop bag in that range works well.
If you’re buying a bag specifically for the easyJet large cabin bag allowance (and adding it to your booking), look for something within 56 × 45 × 25 cm. This is the standard carry-on size used by most airlines, so a bag in this range will work across easyJet, Jet2, and BA.
For specific recommendations tested against easyJet’s own sizer box, see our guide to the best carry-on bags for UK flights.
easyJet cabin bag: common questions
Can I take both a small bag and a large cabin bag on easyJet?
Yes. easyJet passengers with a large cabin bag included (Plus members or Inclusive Plus fare) can bring both: the large bag (56 × 45 × 25 cm) goes in the overhead locker, and the small bag (45 × 36 × 20 cm) goes under the seat. If you’ve paid to add the large cabin bag, the same applies.
Does easyJet have a weight limit for cabin bags?
No. easyJet does not set a weight limit for either the free small bag or the large cabin bag. This is one of the more passenger-friendly aspects of their policy.
What if my bag is slightly over the size limit?
Gate sizers are the definitive test. If your bag fits in the sizer box, you’re fine. If it doesn’t, you’ll be charged to check it in. Staff discretion varies, but at busy airports you cannot rely on it.
Can I take a laptop in my cabin bag?
Yes. A laptop can go in either your small underseat bag or your large cabin bag. Liquids in cabin bags are subject to the standard 100ml rule and must be in a clear bag.
Can I take a handbag as well as my easyJet cabin bag?
Your one free small bag (45 × 36 × 20 cm) is the only cabin bag included for free. If you want to bring a handbag, it needs to fit within or alongside that one bag allowance. easyJet does not offer a separate handbag allowance on standard fares.
Is easyJet strict about cabin bag size?
Yes, increasingly so. easyJet has invested in gate bag sizers at most major UK airports. Enforcement is stricter on busy routes and at peak times. If you’re travelling with a bag that’s borderline, don’t assume you’ll get through.
Frequently asked questions
What is the easyJet free cabin bag size?
The easyJet free cabin bag — included for all passengers — measures up to 45 × 36 × 20 cm including handles and wheels. It must fit under the seat in front of you.
What is the easyJet large cabin bag size?
The easyJet large cabin bag measures up to 56 × 45 × 25 cm including handles and wheels. It goes in the overhead locker. It is not free on standard fares — you need easyJet Plus, an Inclusive Plus fare, or to pay to add it.
Does easyJet allow a bag under the seat?
Yes. Every easyJet passenger can bring one bag measuring up to 45 × 36 × 20 cm under the seat at no charge.
How strict is easyJet on cabin bag size in 2026?
easyJet uses physical sizer boxes at most UK airports and applies them at the gate. Enforcement is consistent on busy routes. You should not rely on your bag being waved through if it’s outside the allowed dimensions.
Can I take a backpack as my easyJet cabin bag?
Yes, as long as it fits within 45 × 36 × 20 cm for the free underseat allowance, or within 56 × 45 × 25 cm if you have the large cabin bag included.
Cabin bag rules are set by easyJet and can change. Always confirm the current policy at easyjet.com before you travel.
