A 40 x 30 x 20 cm bag is Ryanair’s current free personal item size, introduced in September 2025. It holds about 24 liters of contents and must fit under the seat in front of you.
The previous size was 40 x 25 x 20 cm (20 liters). The new limit represents a 33 percent increase in allowed volume.
This is the size of a small backpack or messenger bag. Examples that fit: a standard laptop bag, a medium work tote, a small daypack. It is not large enough for a rolling suitcase.
If the bag is even 1 or 2 cm over any dimension, Ryanair agents charge the oversize fee at the gate. Ryanair has installed physical bag sizers at all 235 of its European airports.
For more space, the paid Ryanair cabin bag is 55 x 40 x 20 cm with 10 kg weight limit.