Suitcase
Suitcases themselves have no TSA security restriction — as a carry-on, it just has to fit your airline's size and weight limits, which vary by carrier.
Carry-on
Allowed
Checked
Allowed
Carry-on details
Allowed. TSA doesn't restrict suitcases as a security matter — hard-shell, soft-shell, two-wheel, or spinner styles all pass through screening the same way, empty or packed. The real limit is your airline's carry-on size and weight rules, which set the maximum dimensions (including wheels and handles) for what fits in the overhead bin. Those limits vary by airline and sometimes by fare class, so check with your carrier before you fly.
Checked-bag details
Allowed. Any suitcase can be checked. Airlines set their own size and weight limits for checked bags and charge overweight or oversize fees if you go over — check your airline's policy, since limits differ by carrier and route.
Special instructions
TSA sets no size rule for the bag itself — always confirm your specific airline's carry-on and checked-bag dimensions before you pack, since they differ from carrier to carrier.
FAQ
- Does TSA have a size limit for carry-on suitcases?
- No. TSA doesn't set bag size rules — that's entirely up to each airline. TSA only screens what's inside the bag. Check your airline's website for its specific carry-on dimensions.
- Is a hard-shell suitcase treated differently than a soft-shell one at security?
- No. Both go through the X-ray scanner the same way, and neither is restricted by shell material. Hard-shell cases can just be harder to screen visually if packed very densely, which may lead to a bag check, but that applies to any tightly packed suitcase.
Related items
Source: TSA — What Can I Bring? · Last verified: 2026-07-31
Final decision rests with the security officer at the checkpoint.