What Suitcase Sizes Are There? The Complete Guide to Every Size and What It's For

October 23, 2026

Suitcases come in four main size groups, measured in inches: 18 to 20 inches for carry-on, 24 to 26 inches medium, 28 to 29 inches large, and 30 to 32 inches extra large. Each group is meant for a different trip length: 20 inches for a weekend up to five nights, 24 inches for a week to ten days, 28 inches for two weeks or more, and 32 inches for a long stay or a move.

What the number in inches actually means

The number roughly describes the suitcase's height. One inch is 2.54 cm, so a 20-inch suitcase is about 50 cm tall without the wheels and about 55 cm with them. But there's no single standard: some manufacturers measure with the wheels and some without, and the depth varies a lot. In our catalog, for example, 24-inch suitcases hold between 58 and 98 liters.

So when choosing, look at three numbers: the external dimensions including wheels and handles, because that's what the airline measures, the capacity in liters, and the weight of the empty suitcase. We covered measuring in more detail in our guide to measuring suitcase size.

All sizes at a glance

The table summarizes the single suitcases in our catalog by the external dimensions in each model's specifications, including wheels and handles (September 2026):

Size	Height	Capacity	Empty weight	Suits
20 inches	49 to 55 cm	35 to 50 liters	2.2 to 3 kg on most models	A weekend up to 5 nights, the cabin
24 inches	64 to 68 cm	58 to 98 liters	2.6 to 4.2 kg	A week to 10 days
26 inches	67 to 74 cm	70 to 85 liters	2.1 to 3.5 kg	10 days to two weeks
28 inches	73 to 78 cm	91 to 121 liters	3 to 5.5 kg	Two weeks or more, or two people sharing
32 inches	82 to 90 cm	120 to 153 liters	3.8 to 6 kg	A long stay, a family, a move

18 to 20 inches: the carry-on suitcase

The most useful size for short trips. Enough for a weekend and up to four or five nights, for a business trip, and for anyone who wants to skip the baggage carousel after landing.

On full-service airlines: El Al allows a trolley in the cabin up to 56×45×25 cm and 8 kg. 15 of the 16 20-inch trolleys in our catalog meet these dimensions.
On low-cost airlines: a trolley is usually a paid extra, and only a small bag under the seat flies free (on Wizz Air 40×30×20 cm). On Ryanair the paid trolley is limited to a depth of 20 cm, and many trolleys are deeper than that.
What this size means for you: the cabin weight limit includes the suitcase itself, so a 2.5 kg trolley leaves about 5.5 kg for your things under an 8 kg limit. And an expandable trolley with the expansion open may no longer meet the dimensions.

All the dimensions by airline are in our guide to carry-on suitcase size.

24 to 26 inches: the medium suitcase

The suitcase most people need: a week to ten days for one person, or a long weekend for a couple sharing. It travels in the hold, not in the cabin.

Capacity: 58 to 98 liters at 24 inches, and 70 to 85 liters at 26 inches. The difference comes mainly from depth and expansion.
What this size means for you: a medium suitcase full of clothes usually stays under the common 23 kg limit for checked luggage. It's the size where it's hardest to go over the weight limit, which makes it the safe choice for a first suitcase.

28 to 29 inches: the large suitcase

For two weeks or more, for winter with heavy clothes, or for two people sharing one suitcase.

Capacity and weight: 91 to 121 liters, and an empty weight of 3 to 5.5 kg.
Dimensions: the sum of its dimensions (length, width and height) is 146 to 157 cm, meaning under 158 cm, the limit most full-service airlines set for a standard checked bag.
What this size means for you: it's easy to go over 23 kg when you fill it to the top, and paying for excess weight at the airport is expensive. Weigh it at home, and move heavy items to your carry-on.

More about this size in our complete guide to large suitcase dimensions.

30 to 32 inches: the extra large

For a long stay abroad, for students, for families packing together, and for moving house.

Capacity and weight: 120 to 153 liters, and an empty weight of 3.8 to 6 kg.
What this size means for you: on all the 32-inch suitcases in our catalog, the sum of the dimensions is 167 to 177 cm, above 158 cm. On airlines that limit to 158 cm it may count as oversized baggage and require an extra fee, so check the ticket conditions before the flight. And it's very hard to fill it to the top without going over 23 kg.
When it really shines: for bulky, light items like coats, blankets and gifts, and for tickets that allow 32 kg per suitcase.

A luggage set: two sizes instead of one giant

For a family or long trip, two medium suitcases are easier to carry and to split the weight between than one giant suitcase, and each one easily stays under 23 kg. The common combinations: 20 and 24 for a couple for a week, 20 and 28 for a family, and sets of three or four suitcases that nest inside each other and store in the closet like a single suitcase. You can see them in our luggage sets.

How to choose a size: four questions

How many nights and how many people? This is the first factor. As a rule: 20 inches up to five nights, 24 for a week, 28 for two weeks or more.
Which airline and which ticket? A ticket without checked baggage means a trolley. Check the weight and size limits of your specific ticket, not of the airline in general.
Who will lift it? A large, full suitcase has to be lifted into the car trunk and onto racks. If that's hard, a set is better.
Where will it wait at home? A 32-inch takes up space in the closet, and a nesting set saves it.

Frequently asked questions

What size is a carry-on suitcase?

20 inches, about 55 cm tall including wheels. El Al allows up to 56×45×25 cm and 8 kg in the cabin, and on low-cost airlines the dimensions are smaller and the trolley is usually a paid extra.

How many liters does a 24-inch suitcase hold?

In our catalog, between 58 and 98 liters. The difference comes from the depth and the option to expand, so it's worth checking the capacity in the specifications and not just the size in inches.

Is a 32-inch suitcase allowed on a flight?

As checked baggage, yes, but the sum of its dimensions, 167 to 177 cm on our models, exceeds the 158 cm many airlines set for a standard bag, so you may pay an oversized baggage fee. Check the airline's policy before the flight.

What suitcase size suits a week?

For one person, a 24-inch suitcase. Those who pack light and want to fly with carry-on only can also manage with a 20-inch.

Does the number in inches include the wheels?

It depends on the manufacturer. Airlines measure the suitcase including wheels and handles, so always check the full external dimensions in the specifications.

How much does an empty suitcase weigh?

In our catalog: 20 inches between 2.2 and 3 kg on most models, 24 inches between 2.6 and 4.2, 28 inches between 3 and 5.5, and 32 inches between 3.8 and 6 kg. This weight counts toward the airline's weight limit.