{
  "id": "linear-inches",
  "version": "12bd70dc3600",
  "status": "published",
  "name": "Linear Inches Calculator",
  "question": "How many linear inches is my bag?",
  "summary": "Adds the length, width and height of a suitcase or box to get its linear inches and centimeters, and checks it against a size limit such as the 62-inch checked bag rule.",
  "category": "everyday-life",
  "subcategory": "travel-and-fuel",
  "url": "https://www.acalculator.org/everyday-life/linear-inches-calculator",
  "markdown": "https://www.acalculator.org/everyday-life/linear-inches-calculator.md",
  "kind": "function",
  "method": "linear inches = length + width + height (in inches); room to the limit = limit − linear inches.",
  "assumptions": [
    "Measure the outside of the bag, wheels, handles and pockets included, as airlines do.",
    "The default limit is 62 linear inches (157.48 cm), common for checked bags; a bag exactly at the limit is within it, as Delta’s “must not exceed” says. Check your airline’s own limit."
  ],
  "inputs": {
    "$schema": "https://json-schema.org/draft/2020-12/schema",
    "type": "object",
    "properties": {
      "l": {
        "title": "Length",
        "description": "The longest side of the bag, wheels and handles included.",
        "type": [
          "number",
          "string"
        ],
        "x-quantity": "length",
        "exclusiveMinimum": 0,
        "maximum": 100
      },
      "w": {
        "title": "Width",
        "description": "The width of the bag, wheels and handles included.",
        "type": [
          "number",
          "string"
        ],
        "x-quantity": "length",
        "exclusiveMinimum": 0,
        "maximum": 100
      },
      "h": {
        "title": "Height",
        "description": "The depth of the bag, pockets included.",
        "type": [
          "number",
          "string"
        ],
        "x-quantity": "length",
        "exclusiveMinimum": 0,
        "maximum": 100
      },
      "max": {
        "title": "Size limit",
        "description": "The airline’s limit in linear inches or centimeters: 62 in (157.48 cm) on many airlines.",
        "type": [
          "number",
          "string"
        ],
        "x-quantity": "length",
        "exclusiveMinimum": 0,
        "maximum": 1000
      }
    }
  },
  "outputs": {
    "inches": {
      "label": "Linear inches",
      "description": "Length + width + height, in inches.",
      "format": "number"
    },
    "centimeters": {
      "label": "Linear centimeters",
      "description": "Length + width + height, in centimeters.",
      "format": "number"
    },
    "fits": {
      "label": "Within the limit?",
      "description": "Yes when the sum is at or under the limit.",
      "format": "text"
    },
    "spareInches": {
      "label": "Room to the limit, in",
      "description": "The limit minus the sum, in inches; negative when the bag is over.",
      "format": "number"
    },
    "spareCm": {
      "label": "Room to the limit, cm",
      "description": "The limit minus the sum, in centimeters; negative when the bag is over.",
      "format": "number"
    }
  },
  "defaultAnswer": {
    "inputs": {
      "l": 0.6604,
      "w": 0.508,
      "h": 0.4064,
      "max": 1.5748
    },
    "outputs": {
      "inches": 62,
      "centimeters": 157.48,
      "fits": "Yes",
      "spareInches": 0,
      "spareCm": 0
    },
    "text": "Your bag is 62 linear inches (157.5 cm). Within the limit: Yes."
  },
  "examples": [
    {
      "given": {
        "l": 0.6604,
        "w": 0.508,
        "h": 0.4064,
        "max": 1.5748
      },
      "expect": {
        "inches": 62,
        "centimeters": 157.48,
        "fits": "Yes",
        "spareInches": 0
      },
      "source": "hand calculation in content.mdx: 26 + 20 + 16 = 62 in = 157.48 cm (1 in = 2.54 cm, NIST SP 811); Delta Air Lines, Baggage Policy and Fees: length + width + height must not exceed 62 inches (157 cm), so a bag at exactly 62 in is within the limit, https://www.delta.com/us/en/baggage/overview (retrieved 2026-10-18)"
    },
    {
      "given": {
        "l": 0.75,
        "w": 0.5,
        "h": 0.35,
        "max": 1.58
      },
      "expect": {
        "centimeters": 160,
        "inches": 62.99212598425197,
        "fits": "No, it is over",
        "spareCm": -2
      },
      "source": "hand calculation in content.mdx: 75 + 50 + 35 = 160 cm, 2 cm over 158 cm; 160 ÷ 2.54 = 62.99 in; Malaysia Airlines, Checked baggage: each piece must have linear dimensions (length + height + width) of less than 158 cm or 62 in, https://www.malaysiaairlines.com/th/en/travel-info/baggage/checked-baggage.html (retrieved 2026-10-18)"
    },
    {
      "given": {
        "l": 0.5588,
        "w": 0.35559999999999997,
        "h": 0.2286,
        "max": 1.5748
      },
      "expect": {
        "inches": 45,
        "spareInches": 17,
        "fits": "Yes"
      },
      "source": "hand calculation in content.mdx: 22 + 14 + 9 = 45 in; 62 − 45 = 17 in to spare"
    }
  ],
  "sources": [
    "Delta Air Lines, Baggage Policy and Fees: length + width + height “must not exceed” 62 inches (157 cm), so a bag of exactly 62 inches is within the limit. https://www.delta.com/us/en/baggage/overview (retrieved 2026-10-18)",
    "Malaysia Airlines, Checked baggage: each piece must have linear dimensions (length + height + width) of less than 158 cm or 62 in. https://www.malaysiaairlines.com/th/en/travel-info/baggage/checked-baggage.html (retrieved 2026-10-18)",
    "NIST SP 811 (2008), Appendix B: 1 in = 2.54 cm exactly; 1 ft = 12 in. https://www.nist.gov/pml/special-publication-811 (retrieved 2026-10-18)"
  ],
  "related": [
    "linear-feet",
    "travel-time"
  ],
  "changelog": []
}