If you are flying Ryanair in 2025, the biggest question is whether the airline has quietly shrunk or grown your bag space. After years of strict sizers and gate fees, Ryanair’s policy has seen real updates, but not every page tells the same story – this article cuts through the conflicting reports to give you exact dimensions and practical choices.

4 related posts

Free personal item size: 40 x 30 x 20 cm (must fit under seat) ·
Priority & 2 cabin bags (10kg max): 55 x 40 x 20 cm (overhead locker) + personal item ·
Hold bag (20kg max): 119 x 119 x 81 cm (checked luggage) ·
No change in 2025: Dimensions remain same as previous years

Quick snapshot

1Confirmed facts
2What’s unclear
  • Whether Ryanair plans any increase for 2025 or 2026 — no official statement (Ryanair Bag Rules category)
  • Actual sizer dimensions at some airports vary (40x20x25 vs 40x30x20) by gate (Ryanair Bag Rules category)
3Timeline signal
4What’s next
  • EU minimum standard of 40 x 30 x 15 cm for free hand luggage may drive further alignment
  • Watch for official Ryanair announcements on 2026 policy

The following table breaks down the key baggage allowances across fare types.

Category Dimensions Weight limit Notes
Free personal item 40 x 30 x 20 cm (15.7 x 11.8 x 7.9 in) No set limit Must fit under seat; all fares include this
Priority cabin bag 55 x 40 x 20 cm (21.7 x 15.7 x 7.9 in) 10 kg Overhead locker; requires Priority booking
Hold bag (10 kg) 55 x 40 x 20 cm 10 kg Same as cabin bag but checked; must be tagged
Hold bag (20 kg) 119 x 119 x 81 cm 20 kg Standard check-in luggage
Size change in 2025? No change confirmed — No official announcement of increase

Has Ryanair cabin bag size changed?

What was the cabin bag size before 2025?

  • Before 2025, the free personal item measured 40 x 30 x 20 cm — exactly the same as today’s policy (Ryanair Help Centre).
  • The Priority cabin bag has been set at 55 x 40 x 20 cm since 2018 when the Priority & 2 Cabin Bags option launched (CabinZero baggage guide).
  • There was a period when the personal item size appeared as 40 x 25 x 20 cm on some Ryanair pages — this was due to inconsistent rendering across help centre versions, not an actual policy shift (Ryanair Bag Rules category).

Is Ryanair planning to increase hand luggage size in 2025?

  • As of the latest updates, no official announcement from Ryanair confirms a size increase for 2025 or 2026.
  • The Independent reported in July 2025 that Ryanair would raise its free personal bag from 40 x 25 x 20 cm to 40 x 30 x 20 cm over the coming weeks — a change that would increase the bag volume from 20 litres to 24 litres (The Independent).
  • However, Ryanair’s own help centre already lists the personal item as 40 x 30 x 20 cm, suggesting the change may already be in effect at some airports (Ryanair Help Centre).
  • The Independent also noted that this new size is larger than the newly announced European minimum of 40 x 30 x 15 cm (The Independent).
Bottom line: Ryanair’s official dimensions have not changed in 2025, but media reports suggest a future increase may bring the personal item to 40x30x20 cm across all airports. Frequent flyers: keep using the 40x30x20 size as it already matches the current official policy. Budget travellers: stick with a small backpack to avoid any gate surprise.

The implication: while official policy hasn’t changed, travellers should stay alert for airport-specific enforcement.

What is the cabin bag policy for Ryanair 2025?

What are the two fare options for cabin baggage?

  • Standard fare: includes one small personal bag measuring 40 x 30 x 20 cm that must fit under the seat (Ryanair Help Centre).
  • Priority & 2 Cabin Bags: allows a small personal bag plus a second cabin bag of 55 x 40 x 20 cm weighing up to 10 kg, stored in the overhead locker (Primark baggage guide).

What is the weight limit for cabin bags?

  • The cabin bag in Priority & 2 Cabin Bags has a strict 10 kg weight limit (Ryanair Help Centre).
  • The personal item has no formal weight limit, but it must be small enough to fit under the seat (Send My Bag baggage guide).

Can I bring a personal item plus a cabin bag?

  • Yes, but only if you have purchased Priority & 2 Cabin Bags or a Plus fare.
  • Without Priority, you may only bring one small personal bag (40x30x20 cm) — no additional handbag or backpack (Primark baggage guide).
  • Infants aged 8 days to 23 months have no cabin bag allowance, but a baby bag up to 5 kg is permitted for lap-held babies (Ryanair Help Centre).

The trade-off: paying for Priority means a guaranteed 10 kg overhead cabin bag plus your personal item. Skipping it buys you one small bag only — and the risk of a €25 gate fee if your bag is too large.

What does 40x30x20 mean?

How to measure your bag for Ryanair’s sizer?

  • The dimensions are 40 cm (length) x 30 cm (width) x 20 cm (height) — the bag must fit completely into Ryanair’s bag sizer at the gate (Ryanair Help Centre).
  • If your bag exceeds any single dimension — even by a centimetre — it may be refused at the gate and sent to the hold for a fee.
  • Soft bags (duffels, backpacks) are easier to squeeze into sizers than hard-shell cases, but they must still meet all three measurements.

What are the exact dimensions in inches?

  • Personal item: 15.7 x 11.8 x 7.9 inches.
  • Priority cabin bag: 21.7 x 15.7 x 7.9 inches.
The catch

Ryanair’s sizers at some airports are reportedly 40 x 20 x 25 cm — meaning a bag that squeezes into the official 40x30x20 box might still fail at certain gates. Check which sizer your departure airport uses before you travel.

The pattern: travellers must balance official dimensions with real-world sizer variations to avoid fees.

Can I take a cabin bag and a handbag on a Ryanair flight?

Does a handbag count as a second bag?

  • With a standard fare, the only free bag is your personal item (40x30x20 cm). A handbag counts as your personal item only if it fits those dimensions (Primark baggage guide).
  • If your handbag is separate from your personal item, it counts as a second bag and you will be charged unless you have Priority.
  • With Priority, you may bring a handbag (as your personal item) and a separate cabin bag (55×40×20 cm) (Ryanair Help Centre).

Can I bring a backpack and a handbag together?

  • No — without Priority, you may only bring one small bag. A backpack and a handbag together count as two items.
  • With Priority, you may bring a small backpack (as personal item) plus a larger cabin bag (55×40×20 cm) (Send My Bag baggage guide).
  • The second bag must be a cabin bag that goes in the overhead locker — not a second personal item.

The catch: without Priority, any extra bag at the gate triggers a fee.

What is an example of a 10kg cabin bag on Ryanair?

Which bag brands are recommended for Ryanair cabin size?

  • Antler Juno Cabin Bag — hard-shell, exact 55×40×20 cm dimensions, 10 kg limit (Primark baggage guide).
  • Primark cabin bag — soft-sided, priced affordably, meets dimensions exactly.
  • Generic 55×40×20 cm soft duffels — flexible materials make them easier to fit into sizers.

Can I use a soft duffel bag instead of a hard case?

  • Yes, soft duffels are generally more forgiving at the gate — the material can compress to fit the sizer.
  • However, any bag with wheels and handles must still meet the full 55×40×20 cm limit including all protrusions (Ryanair Help Centre).
Why this matters

The difference between a compliant bag and a gate fee can be as little as 2 cm. For UK travellers, a soft duffel under £30 is a smarter bet than a £100 hard-shell that might not squeeze into the sizer.

The practical takeaway: soft bags adapt better to inconsistent sizer checks.

“All fares include one small personal bag (40 x 30 x 20 cm) that must fit under the seat.”

— Ryanair Help Centre (official policy)

“Ryanair will raise its free personal bag from 40 x 25 x 20 cm to 40 x 30 x 20 cm over the coming weeks.”

— The Independent

Timeline: How Ryanair’s cabin bag policy has evolved

  • 2018: Ryanair introduced the Priority & 2 Cabin Bags option, allowing a 10 kg cabin bag (55×40×20 cm) plus a personal item (CabinZero baggage guide).
  • 2024: Conflicting reports emerge about sizer dimensions (40×20×25 cm at some airports) (Ryanair Bag Rules category).
  • 2025: No official change. Media report that Ryanair will increase the free personal bag to 40×30×20 cm (already reflected on some help pages) (The Independent).

The pattern: Ryanair has moved toward standardisation under seat pressure from EU regulations. The 40×30×20 cm size is larger than the EU minimum of 40×30×15 cm, giving Ryanair room to market the change as an improvement while keeping enforcement tight.

Related reading: Ryanair cabin bag size 2025 policy dimensions UK update · Ryanair Bag Rules

For the exact dimensions and fee structure, check out Ryanairs 2025 cabin bag policy, which breaks down the gate-check rules in detail.

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Frequently asked questions

Do I need to pay extra for a 10 kg cabin bag?

It depends on your fare. Priority & 2 Cabin Bags includes a 10 kg cabin bag. Standard fares do not — you pay extra for Priority (about €6–€12 depending on route) or check the bag into the hold for a fee, which costs around €10–€20 at the gate (Send My Bag baggage guide).

What happens if my bag is too big at the gate?

Ryanair staff will ask you to place the bag in the sizer. If it does not fit, you will be charged a gate fee (around €25–€30) and the bag will be placed in the hold. If you have priority but the bag is oversized, you may lose the overhead locker space and still pay the fee.

Can I bring a laptop bag in addition to my personal item?

No — without Priority, your laptop bag must fit inside your single personal item (40x30x20 cm). With Priority, your personal item can be a laptop bag or backpack, and you may also bring a cabin bag (55x40x20 cm) (Ryanair Help Centre).

Is there a weight limit for the personal item?

There is no official weight limit for the personal item, but you must be able to carry it and fit it under the seat. Ryanair does not weigh personal items at the gate (Ryanair Help Centre).

Can I check in a 10 kg bag as hold luggage?

Yes — Ryanair offers a 10 kg hold bag option. Use the Add Bag option during booking. The dimensions for a 10 kg checked bag are the same as the cabin bag (55x40x20 cm), but it must be tagged and placed in the hold (Primark baggage guide).

Does the cabin bag size include wheels and handles?

Yes — the airline requires the bag to fit into the sizer with all its parts (wheels, handle, side pockets). If your bag’s wheels or handles protrude, it may not fit (Ryanair Help Centre).

Are there any prohibited items in cabin bags?

Standard aviation security rules apply: no liquids over 100ml, no sharp objects, no aerosols except for medical or toiletries in limited quantities. Check with your departure airport for local variations.

For UK travellers flying Ryanair in 2025, the choice is clear: pack a compliant 40x30x20 cm bag for standard fares, or pay for Priority and use a 55x40x20 cm cabin bag. The catch is that airport sizers may still vary, and the reported upcoming increase to 40x30x20 cm may already be in effect — so bring a soft bag that can adapt to either size.