Airline baggage guide
Southwest Airlines baggage fees, size limits & special items (2026)
Southwest Airlines's standard checked bag limit is 50 lbs / 23 kg and 62 linear inches. The first bag costs $45 and the second $55 on main-cabin fares. Overweight, oversize, and sports equipment fees are covered in full below.
For check-in cutoffs and online check-in windows, see the Southwest Airlines check-in guide →
What is Southwest Airlines's checked bag weight and size limit?
Every bag on Southwest Airlines must weigh 50 lbs / 23 kg or less and measure no more than 62 linear inches (length + width + height) to avoid surcharges. Both limits apply independently — a light bag that is too large still triggers the oversize fee.
| Fare | 1st bag | 2nd bag |
|---|---|---|
| Main cabin | $45 | $55 |
| Basic economy | $45 | $55 |
Fees shown are for online pre-payment where applicable. Paying at the airport counter or gate typically runs higher.
What does Southwest Airlines charge for oversize or overweight bags?
Overweight fees
| Weight | Fee (per bag, per direction) |
|---|---|
| 51–70 lbs (23–32 kg) | $75 |
| 71–100 lbs (32–45 kg) | Not accepted above 70 lbs |
Oversize fees
| Dimensions | Fee (per bag, per direction) |
|---|---|
| Over 62 linear in | $75 |
Both fees stack — a bag that is simultaneously overweight and oversize is charged both surcharges on the same bag in the same direction.
Does Southwest Airlines charge extra for sports equipment?
| Item | Fee / policy |
|---|---|
| Golf clubs | standard bag fee; oversize fee waived for golf equipment; overweight $75 if 51–70 lbs |
| Skis / snowboard | standard bag fee; oversize fee waived for ski/snowboard equipment; overweight $75 if 51–70 lbs |
| Bicycle | standard bag fee; oversize fee waived for bicycles as sports equipment; max 70 lbs |
| Surfboard | standard bag fee; oversize fee waived for surfboards as sports equipment; max 70 lbs |
| Fishing gear | standard bag fee if within limits |
Strollers and car seats are always free to check on all airlines. Gate-check your stroller at the jetway — it is returned at the aircraft door on arrival.
Can I bring a stroller or car seat on Southwest Airlines for free?
- Strollers: free (gate-check)
- Car seats: free
- Military: free checked bags for active duty
Wheelchairs and all other mobility aids always travel free on every US carrier under DOT regulations — no fees, no size limits, no exceptions, no advance arrangements required.
How do bag fees affect my Leave-By Time?
Checking a bag adds 20–30 minutes to your airport buffer compared to carry-on only. You need time to join the bag-drop queue, hand off the bag, and collect your receipt before you can head to the TSA checkpoint. That window sits before security — not inside it — so it shifts your Leave-By Time at home earlier, not just your airport arrival.
Use the Leave-By Time calculator — enter your flight, mark that you are checking a bag, and the calculator adds the bag-drop counter step so you leave home with exact numbers instead of a rough guess.
Skip the fee with the right card
These co-branded credit cards waive Southwest Airlines's checked bag fees for the cardholder — and sometimes companions — when the card is used to purchase the ticket:
- Southwest Rapid Rewards Plus Visa: 2 free checked bags per person
- Southwest Rapid Rewards Premier Visa: 2 free checked bags per person
- Southwest Rapid Rewards Priority Visa: 2 free checked bags per person
Things to know before you check a bag on Southwest Airlines
- Southwest's maximum accepted bag weight is 70 lbs — bags over 70 lbs are not accepted; there is no 71–100 lb overweight tier.
- Oversize fees ($75) are waived for accepted sports equipment (golf clubs, ski/snowboard bags, bicycles, surfboards) per Southwest's sports equipment policy; only the standard bag fee and the overweight fee (if 51–70 lbs, $75) apply to these items.
- Southwest Rapid Rewards credit cardmembers receive 2 free checked bags per person per flight; A-List Preferred members get 2 free checked bags, A-List members get 1 free checked bag.
Related guides
Baggage data verified against Southwest Airlines's official site, . Sources: support.southwest.com — flying with golf clubs; support.southwest.com — flying with ski snow bag policy; support.southwest.com — sports equipment or non standard items; southwest.com — travel fees.
How early should you leave for the airport?
Bag fees and check-in cutoffs shift your Leave-By Time. The calculator accounts for bag-drop counter time, the TSA queue, and your drive so you leave home with exact numbers, not a rough estimate.
Get your Leave-By Time →