Ryanair Carry On Bag: Sizes, Rules & Fees (2025)

You’re about to pack for a Ryanair flight, and that familiar knot of anxiety twists in your stomach as you wonder if your bag is too big, too heavy, or will make you pay at the gate. The free carry-on allowance has changed multiple times over the years, turning what should be simple into a stress test. This guide cuts through the confusion by comparing official policies, real passenger stories, and the fine print that can save you money.

Free cabin bag size: 40 x 30 x 20 cm (must fit under seat) ·
Priority cabin bag size: 55 x 40 x 20 cm, up to 10 kg (overhead locker) ·
Additional personal item (priority only): 40 x 30 x 20 cm ·
Bag sizer enforcement: Strict, zero tolerance at gate

The following table summarises the core measurements you need to know before packing.

What size bag can you carry-on Ryanair for free?

What are the exact dimensions?

Ryanair’s official help centre currently states that all fares include one small personal bag that must fit under the seat in front of you, with dimensions 40 x 30 x 20 cm. This is a change from the long-standing 40 x 20 x 25 cm limit many travellers remember. The airline’s Ryanair Help Centre (official airline policy) confirms the new size, though some secondary sources still reference the older dimensions.

Is there a weight limit?

There is no weight limit for the free under-seat bag – only size restrictions apply. However, if you upgrade to Priority, the 10 kg limit on the overhead-locker bag is strictly enforced, with Ryanair Help Centre stating the cabin bag must weigh up to 10 kg and be stored in the overhead locker.

The catch: even with the larger free size, the bag must still fit the sizer exactly, which means soft-sided bags are the safest choice for non-priority travellers.

What is a 40x30x20cm bag?

What items fit this size?

A 40 x 30 x 20 cm bag is roughly the size of a large laptop backpack, a small duffel, or a standard cabin-size rucksack. Typical examples include a slim backpack, a briefcase, or a handbag that doesn’t bulge. Because the width is 30 cm, it’s slightly wider than the older 40x20x25 limit, giving a bit more packing flexibility – but the depth (20 cm) remains tight.

How to measure your bag correctly

Use a rigid measuring tape: measure height (40 cm), width (30 cm), and depth (20 cm). Bags with wheels or external pockets must compress to those limits. Ryanair’s gate staff use a metal sizer; if the bag doesn’t slide in freely, it’s oversize. Ryanair’s Bag Rules page warns that bags that don’t fit in the sizers can be refused at the boarding gate or placed in the hold for a fee.

The implication: a soft-sided bag that can squish into the sizer is safer than a hard-shell case. Many travellers now buy bags specifically designed to the new dimensions, like the Aerolite Luggage (luggage retailer guide) recommendations.

What does a Ryanair 10kg cabin bag look like?

What are the dimensions?

The Priority boarding cabin bag measures 55 x 40 x 20 cm – a standard wheelie bag size – and can weigh up to 10 kg. It must be stored in the overhead locker. According to Ryanair Help Centre, this bag is only allowed when you purchase the Priority & 2 Cabin Bags option.

Do they weigh the bag?

Yes, Ryanair does weigh 10 kg cabin bags at the gate occasionally. A Reddit user in r/AskIreland reported, “They weighed my cabin bag at the gate and charged €30 for being 0.5kg over.” (Reddit r/AskIreland community) While not every passenger is checked, the risk is real. An overweight bag may incur a fee or be sent to the hold.

What this means: if you choose Priority, plan to weigh your bag at home and leave room for souvenirs.

Can I have a small handbag as well as hand luggage on Ryanair?

With priority boarding?

Yes – Priority & 2 Cabin Bags passengers can bring a main cabin bag (55 x 40 x 20 cm, 10 kg) plus a small personal item (40 x 30 x 20 cm) that fits under the seat. This second bag can be a handbag, laptop case, or small backpack. Ryanair Help Centre confirms that both bags are allowed on board with priority boarding.

Without priority boarding?

No. Non-priority passengers are limited to one free bag (40 x 30 x 20 cm) only. If you want to bring a handbag in addition to a small backpack, you must either place one inside the other or purchase Priority boarding. The Aerolite Luggage guide notes that non-priority customers who want another bag must pay an extra fee at the airport drop-off desk.

The catch: Ryanair generates significant ancillary revenue from bag fees. The entire policy is designed to push travellers toward the Priority add-on or checked bags. Knowing which category you fall into before you pack saves time and money.

What if my cabin bag is 2cm bigger on Ryanair?

What happens at the gate?

Ryanair gate staff use a metal sizer to check bag dimensions. If your bag does not fit – even by a couple of centimetres – you will be charged a fee and the bag may be checked into the hold. There is zero tolerance: Ryanair’s Bag Rules page explicitly states that bags which don’t fit in the baggage sizers can be refused at the boarding gate or placed in the hold for a fee.

Can you avoid the fee?

To avoid fees, pack a soft-sided bag that can compress to fit the sizer. Hard-shell cases with rigid frames are riskier. Buying a bag that exactly meets the limits is the safest bet. A MyBaggage shipping guide reports that even a 1 cm overhang can trigger the charge.

The pattern: investing in a correctly sized bag upfront pays off in avoided stress and money.

Free vs Priority vs Check-in: Comparison

Three baggage options, one key difference: how many bags and where they go.

The pattern: non-priority travellers get minimal space, while priority doubles your carry-on allowance (but adds weight and cost). Check-in is a third option for those who want to avoid gate stress entirely.

Bag sizes and weight limits (spec table)

Six parameters summarise the entire carry-on policy.

What this means: the baby allowance offers some flexibility for families, but the free adult bag remains strictly enforced.

Pros and cons of the Ryanair carry-on policy

The implication: the policy works well for minimalist travellers but penalises anyone who underestimates the strictness of enforcement.

Timeline: Key changes in Ryanair carry-on rules

• 2018 – Ryanair introduces free small bag policy (40 x 20 x 25 cm) for all passengers. (MyBaggage (luggage shipping guide))
• 2024 – Current official free bag size updated to 40 x 30 x 20 cm on Ryanair help centre. (Ryanair Help Centre (official airline policy))
• 2025 (unconfirmed) – Rumour that Ryanair tests further size increase on select routes. No official confirmation. (MyCabinMax Facebook (luggage retailer update))

The pattern: the airline gradually expands dimensions while maintaining strict enforcement to maximise revenue from fees.

Clarity: What’s confirmed and what’s uncertain

The catch: the uncertainty around enforcement means you should always prepare for the strictest possible scenario.

Passenger experiences and official statements

“The small personal bag must be no larger than 40cm x 30cm x 20cm and must fit under the seat in front of you.”

— Ryanair Help Centre (official airline policy)

“They weighed my cabin bag at the gate and charged €30 for being 0.5kg over.”

— Reddit user on r/AskIreland (community forum)

The lesson: official policy is strict; real-world experience shows variability, but the cost of being over is high.

Summary: Navigating Ryanair’s carry-on policy in 2025

Ryanair’s carry-on policy is a carefully calibrated revenue generator. The free 40 x 30 x 20 cm bag is enough for a short trip if you pack smart. Priority doubles your allowance but adds a strict 10 kg limit. For the traveller flying from Dublin or Brussels on a weekend away, the choice is clear: either commit to a single small backpack, or pay for Priority in advance and check your bag’s weight before leaving home.

For a comprehensive breakdown of the latest baggage policies, refer to the current Ryanair carry-on bag rules for 2025.

Frequently asked questions

Related reading

• Ryanair Digital Boarding Passes Guide – How to check in and board without printing.
• Brussels Airport to City Centre – Transport options for Ryanair passengers landing in Brussels.