Ryanair Carry On Bag Size – Official 40x30x20 cm Rules Guide
Ryanair’s cabin bag policy has undergone significant updates, with the airline now allowing a small personal bag measuring 40x30x20 cm for all passengers at no extra cost. The airline shifted from its previous 40x20x25 cm limit, giving travellers more flexibility when packing essentials for their flights.
Understanding these dimensions matters for anyone flying with Ryanair, as gate enforcement remains active and bags that exceed the stated limits can incur additional fees. The policy also distinguishes between standard passengers and those with Priority Boarding, who gain access to a larger overhead compartment bag.
This guide breaks down the official Ryanair carry-on bag sizes, explains how weight limits apply, and compares the current rules with other budget carriers operating across Europe.
What is the Ryanair carry-on bag size?
Ryanair operates a two-tier cabin bag policy that applies to all passengers. The base tier includes one small personal bag included in every ticket price, while a second, larger bag becomes available to those who purchase Priority Boarding.
40×30×20 cm — fits under the seat
55×40×20 cm — overhead locker access
No current limit for small bag; 10 kg for Priority option
Small bag free; Priority adds the larger option
Key points to remember
- All passengers receive one small personal bag free of charge regardless of fare type
- The small bag must fit beneath the seat in front of you, not in overhead lockers
- Priority Boarding unlocks a second bag measuring 55×40×20 cm
- The Priority bag carries a 10 kg weight restriction
- Bags undergo sizing checks at the gate before boarding
- Non-rigid, soft-sided bags tend to fit more easily into under-seat spaces
| Bag Type | Maximum Dimensions (cm) | Weight Limit | Storage Location | Availability |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Small Personal Bag | 40 × 30 × 20 | No current limit (7 kg expected) | Under seat | All passengers |
| Priority Cabin Bag | 55 × 40 × 20 | 10 kg maximum | Overhead locker | Priority Boarding holders only |
What is the size of Ryanair’s small personal bag?
Ryanair’s small personal bag measures 40 centimetres in length, 30 centimetres in height, and 20 centimetres in depth. These dimensions replaced an earlier standard of 40×20×25 cm, representing a meaningful expansion that accommodates a broader range of bag styles.
The update allows travellers to use more versatile options including soft-sided backpacks and flexible totes that previously would not have fit the narrower 20 cm depth requirement. Official Ryanair sources confirm the new 40×30×20 cm measurement applies to all bookings.
Understanding the under-seat requirement
The small personal bag must slide beneath the seat in front of you throughout the flight. This constraint matters because seat configurations vary across Ryanair’s fleet, and not all under-seat spaces offer identical clearance. Passengers travelling on older aircraft variants may find tighter conditions than those on newer planes.
When buying a bag for Ryanair travel, verify the stated dimensions account for all protrusions, straps, and wheels. Some manufacturers list external measurements while others cite internal usable space—these can differ significantly and affect whether your bag passes gate checks.
Is 40x20x25 cm still acceptable?
Bags measuring 40×20×25 cm no longer meet Ryanair’s current requirements despite being referenced in older product listings and third-party guides. The airline updated its official policy, making the older dimensions non-compliant. Travellers still using bags purchased under the previous standard should consider replacement before their next flight.
Has Ryanair increased its carry-on bag size?
Yes. Ryanair expanded the small personal bag dimensions from 40×20×25 cm to the current 40×30×20 cm format. This change effectively swapped the height and depth measurements while maintaining the same 40 cm length, resulting in a bag that sits more naturally in under-seat compartments.
What the size change means for travellers
The dimension swap brings practical advantages. Previously, bags needed to fit a 25 cm depth beneath seats—a measurement that excluded many standard laptop bags and compact travel packs. The new format tolerates thicker bags up to 30 cm, making it easier to transport laptops, tablets, and thicker wallet-style cases without compression.
Soft-sided bags measuring 40×30×20 cm generally pass gate checks more smoothly than rigid cases. The flexibility allows slight compression if needed when sliding beneath seats, whereas rigid bags offer no forgiveness if dimensions hover near the limit.
When did this change take effect?
Sources indicate the dimension update occurred around mid-2025, with the change reflected in official Ryanair communications and their bag rules documentation. The airline’s own help centre now lists the 40×30×20 cm standard as the applicable measurement for the complimentary personal bag.
What are the weight limits for Ryanair carry-on bags?
Weight restrictions differ depending on which bag tier applies to your booking. The small personal bag included with all tickets currently carries no weight limit, though airline communications suggest a 7 kg threshold may be introduced in future updates.
Small personal bag weight
At present, Ryanair does not enforce a specific weight limit for the complimentary small personal bag. Travellers should note this policy remains under review, and the anticipated 7 kg restriction has not yet taken effect. Those who prefer to travel light will find no mandatory constraint, but the practical realities of lifting bags into overhead lockers or carrying them through airports often impose informal limits.
Priority cabin bag weight
Passengers holding Priority Boarding face a different situation. The larger 55×40×20 cm bag permitted under this tier must not exceed 10 kg. Exceeding this weight results in additional charges at the gate, making it worthwhile to weigh bags before departing for the airport if you plan to bring heavier items.
If you rely on the Priority cabin bag for heavier items such as photography equipment or bulky electronics, check your packed weight using a luggage scale beforehand. Gate staff can refuse overweight bags, forcing you to either redistribute contents across luggage items or pay substantial fees for checked alternatives.
Checked baggage: the 20 kg option
Ryanair offers a 20 kg checked baggage option for passengers needing to transport heavier items. This tier operates separately from cabin bag allowances and requires separate purchase. The 20 kg limit applies per bag, and exceeding this threshold typically incurs additional charges per kilogram.
What will be the Ryanair carry-on bag size in 2026?
Current Ryanair policy establishes the small personal bag at 40×30×20 cm and the Priority overhead option at 55×40×20 cm. Available sources confirm no additional size increases or alterations have been announced beyond the dimension swap that took effect in 2025.
Known upcoming change: small bag weight limit
The most concrete future adjustment involves the weight restriction for small personal bags. Ryanair has signalled that a 7 kg limit will apply to these bags, though the implementation date remains unconfirmed in publicly available sources. Passengers accustomed to packing relatively heavy items into their personal bags should monitor Ryanair’s official announcements for confirmation.
Unconfirmed speculation
Beyond the anticipated weight rule, no credible evidence suggests further dimension changes or size increases will occur before or during 2026. Articles referencing speculative updates for that period lack support from official Ryanair channels or verified industry reporting.
- Pre-2025: Small personal bag measured 40×20×25 cm under Ryanair’s earlier policy
- Mid-2025: Airline updated dimensions to 40×30×20 cm, allowing wider bag styles
- Anticipated: 7 kg weight limit for small personal bags (date unspecified)
- 2026 outlook: No confirmed size expansions beyond current parameters
How do Ryanair’s bag sizes compare with EasyJet and Wizz Air?
Comparing Ryanair’s cabin bag policy with competing budget carriers reveals both similarities and notable differences worth understanding before booking travel. EasyJet and Wizz Air represent the two closest competitors in the European low-cost market.
| Airline | Small Personal Bag (Free) | Priority/Overhead Bag | Key Distinction |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ryanair | 40×30×20 cm | 55×40×20 cm, 10 kg | Updated from older 40×20×25 cm |
| EasyJet | 45×36×20 cm | 56×45×25 cm, 15 kg | Larger free under-seat allowance |
| Wizz Air | 40×30×20 cm | 40×30×20 cm, 10 kg | Same small bag size as Ryanair |
Key similarities
Wizz Air aligns exactly with Ryanair’s updated 40×30×20 cm small personal bag standard, meaning travellers who carry bags designed for one airline will meet the other’s requirements without modification. This convergence suggests the dimension represents an industry benchmark adopted across multiple carriers.
Where Ryanair differs
EasyJet permits a considerably larger free under-seat bag at 45×36×20 cm, giving passengers more volume without purchasing priority services. For those accustomed to EasyJet’s allowances, switching to Ryanair may require adjustment, particularly regarding the smaller depth measurement.
What is confirmed versus unclear about Ryanair’s bag policy?
When researching Ryanair’s carry-on bag rules, distinguishing established facts from areas lacking clear information helps travellers make confident decisions and avoid relying on outdated or speculative guidance.
| Established Information | Information That Remains Unclear |
|---|---|
| Small personal bag measures 40×30×20 cm | Exact implementation date for 7 kg small bag weight limit |
| Priority cabin bag measures 55×40×20 cm | Whether future dimension updates will occur post-2026 |
| Priority bag weight limit: 10 kg | Details on cross-airline policy coordination |
| No weight limit currently for small bag | Potential changes to Priority bag dimensions |
| 40×20×25 cm bags no longer compliant | Specific enforcement variations across aircraft types |
What do official sources say about Ryanair’s cabin bag rules?
Ryanair’s official bag rules page documents the current cabin bag standards directly, providing the most authoritative reference for dimensions and conditions.
Ryanair’s policy confirms that all passengers may carry one small personal bag free of charge, with dimensions of 40×30×20 cm. This bag must fit under the seat in front of the passenger.
Industry coverage has also tracked the dimension update as a notable development for budget travellers. The shift from the previous 40×20×25 cm format received attention as an improvement that simplifies packing for passengers who previously struggled to find bags meeting the narrower requirement.
Ryanair has increased the size limits for its free cabin bags, allowing passengers a more generous small personal item that fits under the seat.
— BBC News, reporting on policy changes
Summary: Understanding Ryanair’s current carry-on bag policy
Ryanair now allows all passengers a complimentary small personal bag measuring 40×30×20 cm, a standard expanded from the earlier 40×20×25 cm format. Those purchasing Priority Boarding gain access to an additional bag up to 55×40×20 cm with a 10 kg weight limit. The small personal bag carries no current weight restriction, though a 7 kg limit has been signalled for future implementation. Gate enforcement remains active, and travellers should verify their bags meet the stated dimensions before arriving at the airport.
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Frequently asked questions
What is EasyJet’s cabin bag size?
EasyJet allows a free small personal bag measuring 45×36×20 cm for all passengers, which is larger than Ryanair’s complimentary option in both length and height.
What is Ryanair’s cabin bag size for Priority passengers?
Priority Boarding holders may carry a second bag measuring 55×40×20 cm, stored in overhead lockers, with a maximum weight of 10 kg.
Can I use a 40x20x25 cm bag on Ryanair?
Bags measuring 40×20×25 cm no longer comply with Ryanair’s current policy. The airline updated its requirements, making the older dimensions non-compliant.
Does Ryanair’s small personal bag have a weight limit?
Currently, no weight limit applies to Ryanair’s small personal bag, though a 7 kg restriction has been signalled for future implementation.
How strict is Ryanair’s gate enforcement for cabin bags?
Ryanair uses bag sizers at gates, and staff actively check that carry-on items meet stated dimensions. Bags exceeding limits typically incur fees or require checking.
What happens if my bag exceeds Ryanair’s size limits?
Exceeding Ryanair’s cabin bag limits generally results in additional fees at the gate or redirection to checked baggage, both of which carry extra charges.
How does Ryanair compare with Wizz Air for cabin bags?
Both airlines share the same small personal bag dimensions at 40×30×20 cm. Wizz Air’s Priority option matches Ryanair’s 10 kg weight limit but uses identical measurements for the larger bag.
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