Travel is expensive, and the more luggage you pack, the more you’ll pay for it. It’s essential to know how much baggage you can pack on a flight without compromising comfort or safety. The best way to determine the maximum amount of luggage you can safely bring on a flight is to know the size of your luggage. In this post, you will learn how to measure luggage in the most effective way possible.
So, what do you know about measuring luggage? Is it something you’ve done before, or is it something you’ve never even considered? If you’re like most people, you might not know that there are multiple methods you can use to measure your luggage, or that you can even use more than one method at once. But don’t worry, we’re here to help you figure out how to measure your luggage size so that you can determine how much to pack for your next trip.
Learn more about the best carry on travel backpack.
Contents
- How to Measure Luggage Size
- How to Measure Luggage for Air Travel
- How to Measure Your Luggage with a Book at Home
- How to Measure Luggage Weight at Home
- Final Words
How to Measure Luggage Size
Are you looking for the best way to measure luggage? You need to find a reliable method that will give you the information you require. If you want to make sure that you get the right type of luggage, then you will need to find the best way to measure it. This is a guide on how to measure luggage that will help you with this task. Well, we have tried to list the best methods recommended for measuring luggage. You will find this article useful if you are looking to buy luggage.
Check the best luggage for teenagers.
Well, to answer the question of how to measure suitcase sizes, we will measure a suitcase externally and internally. These two sides of measuring will provide you with a clear and transparent idea of how much stuff you can carry or whether the luggage is checked luggage or not.
Besides, the luggage is required to measure in such a way the airline measure it. This will help you pack the right amount of stuff.
How to Measure Luggage for Air Travel
Your suitcase is an important part of your life. It’s the one thing you can count on to hold everything you need. But what if your suitcase is too small? What if it doesn’t fit everything you need? And what if it isn’t big enough to accommodate all your stuff? Do you want to know how much space your suitcase has left? Do you want to know how to measure the external suitcase size?
In order to find the perfect suitcase, you have to know what you need in it. If you don’t know what you need, then you’re going to end up with a huge suitcase that doesn’t fit anything. The same is true for your online business. You need to know what you need in your business to make it successful. A luggage that helps you pass through the airport without any harassment would be a great choice for you.
So, if you know the measurement of your suitcase, it would be easy for you to understand whether you need to pay extra money or not. This is why let’s try to know how to measure the external suitcase size for the airport. And yes, we will know how to measure the internal suitcase size after learning this paragraph.
Measuring External Suitcase size
The Way you should measure the External Suitcase size –
Step 1: First, you need to have a Measuring Tape.
Step 2: Then, place your suitcase on the floor or plain ground.
Step 3: Now, in order to measure the Height of the luggage, measure the full height from the top to bottom. Include wheels, pockets, or any other plastic parts.
Step 4: You will need to measure the Width of your luggage from Side to Side making sure handles and any plastic elements are included.
Step 5: Next, measure the Depth which will be Front to Back of the case. Well, if you plan to use expandable width, you must have to measure it with the case expanded. And again, don’t exclude any pockets, handles, and wheels. Remember, your goal is to measure the widest/longest points of the suitcase.
Step 6: Now is the time to weigh your luggage. For this, use a luggage scale or a regular scale. To do that, weigh with and then without luggage on the scale, and finally subtract the weight difference.
Step 7: What you need to do now is calculate the Linear Inches for the checked luggage. Well, if you don’t know what a linear inch is – well, it is an airline industry term used for luggage measurements. The sum of width + depth + height is equal to the size in linear inches.
Step 8: Now listen carefully, if your luggage is overweight or exceeds the weight limit, you will have to pay extra money for checking your carry-on or for overweight checked luggage.
Measuring Internal Suitcase size
The Way you should measure the Internal Suitcase size –
Step 1: First, a measuring tape is required. So, find a measuring tape.
Step 2: Place the suitcase on a plain floor fully wide open.
Step 3: Now, measure the interior of the Height of the luggage from edge to edge.
Step 4: The Width is also to be measured from edge to edge.
Step 5: And the Depth of the suitcase is to be measured from the rim to the cover.
Step 6: Don’t forget to measure both sides since the top side is usually smaller than the other side.
Well, if you want to measure the volume or the internal capacity of the suitcase, you need to measure the sides of the luggage and add up the results. Remember, the result is the volume of the suitcase.
- Height x Length x Depth = Volume (top)
- Height x Length x Depth = Volume (base)
- Volume (top) + Volume (base) = Suitcase Volume
Is there any difference between volume and capacity?
These are both correct. You can use either volume or capacity to describe how much space you have in the suitcase and how much stuff you can carry in the suitcase. So, you can choose between two ways to look at this. On one hand, you’re talking about how much room your suitcase will take up when you pack it.
How to Measure Your Luggage with a Book at Home
Measuring luggage is easy. Just take a ruler, measure the length and width, and then multiply by two to get the volume. But what if you want to know how much your luggage weighs? Or what if you’re traveling internationally and need to check your bag at the airport?
Well, I’m a big fan of luggage. I like to travel light, so I always pack my suitcase with only the things that I need. One of the best and easiest ways to get started is to measure your luggage with a book. When you travel with a book, it’s easy to know how much space you have left. It also makes it easy to determine what you should bring. This part explains how to measure your luggage with a book. Then let’s get started.
Here are the steps on how to measure your luggage with a book –
Step 1: First, place your luggage on the floor against a wall. In order to measure its Height, put it vertically.
Step 2: Now, take your book and place it on the top of the suitcase. You have to be certain that the book is placed at a ninety-degree angle against the wall.
Step 3: Hold the book in place exactly where it was and then remove the suitcase.
Step 4: You can take a pencil to make a mark on the bottom part of the book and go for the next step. Or you can avoid this step too.
Step 5: Now, measure the distance from the floor to the bottom part of the book where it touches the wall. Well, if you used step 4, measure it up to the mark you marked.
Step 6: Well, you can now apply the same way with the case placed horizontally, for measuring width and depth.
Tips: To correctly measure your suitcase, do not avoid the wheels and handles from the measurements while you are measuring the luggage.
How to Measure Luggage Weight at Home
If you’re planning a trip, you’ll likely need to travel with luggage. It’s important to know how much your luggage weighs. You’ll also want to be sure that your luggage doesn’t exceed a certain weight limit. If you don’t know how much your luggage weighs, and if it is overweight you may have to pay an extra fee at the airport. So, measuring luggage weight at home would be great before setting out from home.
We will here show Two Methods on how to measure luggage weight at home.
- Measure your suitcase using a Regular Scale
- Measure your suitcase using a Luggage Scale
Method 1: Measure Your Suitcase Using a Regular Scale
In almost every house, people have a regular scale for measuring their body weight. in the case of measuring your suitcase using your regular scale is very easy and simple. First, stand on the scale and note down your weight. Now, hold the suitcase with your hands and stand on the scale. Read the weight now. Next, simply subtract your weight from the suitcase’s weight and you will have a pretty accurate estimate.
Easy and simple, right?
A regular scale is fine for those who are rarely traveling, but a digital scale will provide more accurate readings and help you make sure that you’re having the exact weight of the luggage you need.
A luggage scale is good for those people who travel frequently.
They’re great for getting rid of excess luggage and when it’s hard to find the right balance in the luggage scales.
So let’s now learn how to measure your luggage using a luggage scale.
Method 2: Measure Your Suitcase Using a Luggage Scale
This luggage scale is extremely convenient, as it’s very easy to use and is also small. It may sound pricey, but in actuality, these are quite affordable and can run you anywhere from 15 to 50 dollars.
It is so simple to use. If you move frequently, you should absolutely invest in a luggage scale.
So, how can you measure your luggage using a luggage scale?
Well, you can use the luggage scale to weigh your suitcase. You need only place the handle in the scale, and then pick your suitcase up with it. You’ll get a correct measurement, usually with two decimal points after the first number.
Another big plus is that you can do it anywhere – You can do it at home or even while you’re sitting at the airport waiting to board your plane.
Do the Wheels Count When Measuring Luggage For Carry On?
Are you looking for a large suitcase for carrying your heavy gear? Well, a luggage manufacturer knows what kind of suitcase travelers want to buy for packing their stuff.
When traveling by air, you may need to check in a suitcase that is larger than the regular carry-on size.
There are no official carry-on luggage sizes, but you can still make the most of what they allow. If you check the website of the airline you are planning to go to, you can see the rules and guidelines there.
Airlines set their own rules. As long as the company doesn’t have a policy of intentionally setting rules that are too difficult for consumers, they can claim they have no knowledge.
But airlines know what they are doing, and that is by including wheels when measuring luggage.
Carry-on luggage includes all the parts that are part of the suitcase, but not attached to the wheels or handles.
Anyway, to be truthful, you can’t trust always the manufacturer’s advertised luggage measurements.
That’s why you need to use your own tape measure and not rely on the size listed by the suitcase manufacturer, or the store selling the bag.
Do Wheels Count In Checked Baggage Measurement Too?
The straight-cut answer to this question is Yes, the airlines do count the wheels and handles in checked baggage measurement.
However, to avoid any unexpected occurrence (paying extra fees at the airport), you can measure the luggage yourself by applying different methods before setting out from your home. We have discussed the luggage measuring methods above.
Nevertheless, we are briefing it again.
To check your bag you need to use a tape measure and include the wheels. You also need to lift and flip the handle of your bag.
To measure the height you need to have a tape measure and take a measurement at the top of the suitcase against the wall.
If you measure from this point to the floor, you can get the height of your checked suitcase and the wheels included.
So, yes, the airlines include wheels, handles, pockets, or any plastic or steel parts of your luggage.
How Much Does It Cost If Your Luggage Is Overweight
Everybody hates to pay extra fees while boarding a plane. It becomes an unavoidable situation to carry the cost.
If the only way to avoid getting stuck with a last-minute expense is to pay, you may just have to suck it up and do so.
If you’ve ever had that experience, you probably didn’t enjoy it very much.
Then, what is the fee for checking your luggage?
It depends. The number of bags a passenger is allowed to check depends on whether the bag is a First or Business class ticket.
The cost of an economy ticket varies depending on the airline and whether the ticket is domestic or international. It can also vary depending on the time of year.
Let’s see the American Airlines fees:
| Types of Luggage | Extra Fees |
| First Domestic Checked Bag | $25 |
| Second Domestic Checked Bag | $35 |
| Third Domestic Checked Bag | $150 |
| First International Checked Bag | $60 |
| Second International Checked Bag | $100 |
| Third International Checked Bag | $200 |
Should I Trust the Manufacturers’ Dimensions
It’s always helpful to know the size of your bags and how much space they will take up before you check them into your flight.
Most luggage companies call their bags that have carry-on luggage, when in fact they are too large to be allowed by most airlines. These bags result in fees and sometimes even a security check on your flight.
There are two types of luggage that fall into this category. They’re too big to fit through the narrow space between the overhead compartment and the seat and the seat backs.
A few manufacturers skip the wheels, handles, and other elements when building luggage for users.
The luggage can sometimes be oversized and overweight and thus you may need to pay extra money at the airport.
So, why do manufacturers build these types of luggage?
Well, there’s a simple logic to this. They can state their luggage is more spacious than some other suitcases, and therefore have the same dimensions as some of their competitors, which gives them an edge.
To avoid this awkward situation, you are highly recommended that always measure your own cases for yourself because the manufacturers are cheating.
That’s why just trust your instincts and measure the case at home. In this case, it is suggestible to never trust the manufacturers and always measure your case yourself to avoid hefty fees.
Final Words
In conclusion, you’ll want to measure your luggage for a few reasons. First, you’ll be able to determine whether or not your current luggage will be suitable for your trip. Second, you’ll be able to see how much space your luggage takes up. Third, you’ll be able to calculate how much you’ll need to pack. We hope, you have read the post on how to measure luggage and learned something already.
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