The Ultimate Airline Luggage Weight Cheat Sheet
UK Airline Limits in Stone, KG, and Pounds
A 23 kg checked bag is about 3 stone 9 pounds, but the allowance depends on your airline, fare and route. Use the conversions below, then confirm the current limit with your carrier.
What is 23 kg in stone and pounds?
23 kg is approximately 3 stone 9 pounds, or 50.7 pounds. Airline allowances are normally shown in kilograms, while some UK travellers find stone and pounds easier to judge when packing. The conversion tells you what the limit weighs; it does not confirm that your ticket includes that allowance.
The tables below convert common limits into stone and pounds and compare examples from popular UK airlines. Policies, fare allowances and excess-baggage rules can change, so check your booking or the airline's current baggage page before travelling. To check a specific weight, use our kg to stone converter.
The #1 Mistake at Check-In
"My bag feels about 3 stone, that should be fine for a 23kg limit."
3 stone = 19.05 kg. A 23kg bag weighs 3 stone 9 pounds. The person above is 4kg short of their limit, and probably packing too light.
"My bag feels about 4 stone, hope it's under 20kg."
4 stone = 25.4 kg. That bag fails a 20kg limit by 5.4 kg. Fee incoming.
Every Common Airline Weight Limit in Stone and Pounds
The table below converts every standard checked baggage weight limit used by UK and European airlines. Use the 'stone and pounds' column to feel the limit before you get to the airport.
| Limit (kg) | In Stone & Lbs | In Pounds (lbs) | Who Uses It |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10 kg | 1 st 8 lb | 22 lbs | Ryanair Priority (Cabin) |
| 12 kg | 1 st 12.5 lb | 26.5 lbs | Uncommon tier |
| 15 kg | 2 st 5.1 lb | 33.1 lbs | easyJet cabin / TUI checked |
| 18 kg | 2 st 11.7 lb | 39.7 lbs | Some charters |
| 20 kg | 3 st 2.1 lb | 44.1 lbs | Ryanair / Aer Lingus |
| 23 kg | 3 st 8.7 lb | 50.7 lbs | BA / Jet2 / easyJet / most |
| 25 kg | 3 st 13.1 lb | 55.1 lbs | Premium extras |
| 30 kg | 4 st 10.1 lb | 66.1 lbs | BA Business / freight |
| 32 kg | 5 st 0.5 lb | 70.5 lbs | IATA maximum ceiling |
★ 23 kg is the global standard checked bag limit and the most commonly enforced limit across all fare classes.
Will My Bag Pass? Stone-to-KG Quick Reference
If you hoist your suitcase and think it 'feels like X stone', use this table to know immediately whether it passes the most common airline limits.
| Stone & Lbs | Kilograms | Passes 15 kg? | Passes 20 kg? | Passes 23 kg? |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 stone exactly | 6.35 kg | ✓ Pass | ✓ Pass | ✓ Pass |
| 1 stone 7 lb | 9.53 kg | ✓ Pass | ✓ Pass | ✓ Pass |
| 2 stone exactly | 12.7 kg | ✓ Pass | ✓ Pass | ✓ Pass |
| 2 stone 7 lb | 15.88 kg | ✗ Fail | ✓ Pass | ✓ Pass |
| 3 stone exactly | 19.05 kg | ✗ Fail | ✓ Pass | ✓ Pass |
| 3 stone 7 lb | 22.23 kg | ✗ Fail | ✗ Fail | ✓ Pass |
| 4 stone exactly | 25.4 kg | ✗ Fail | ✗ Fail | ✗ Fail |
| 5 stone exactly | 31.75 kg | ✗ Fail | ✗ Fail | ✗ Fail |
Note: 3 stone = 19.05 kg (passes 20 kg by less than 1 kg). 4 stone = 25.4 kg (fails both 20 kg and 23 kg). 5 stone = 31.75 kg, which only passes the 32 kg IATA maximum.
Common UK airline checked baggage limits
These examples are a quick reference, not a substitute for the baggage rules attached to your booking. Always verify directly with your airline before travel.
| Airline | Limit (kg) | In Stone & Lbs | Key Notes 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ryanair | 20 / 23 kg | 3st 2lb / 3st 9lb | 23 kg option added Aug 2025. |
| easyJet | 15, 23 or 32 kg | 2st 5lb / 3st 9lb / 5st 1lb | 15 kg cabin bag limit strictly enforced. |
| British Airways | 23 kg | 3 st 9 lb | Most generous UK airline. BA cabin also 23kg. |
| Jet2 | 22 kg | 3 st 6 lb | 22 kg standard. Included on most packages. |
| TUI | 15 or 23 kg | 2st 5lb / 3st 9lb | 15 kg standard for most package fares. |
The IATA Weight Standard: Why 23 kg?
The International Air Transport Association (IATA) sets the industry framework for baggage handling. The 23 kg (50 lb) per bag limit has been the accepted standard for checked luggage on full-service carriers since the early 2000s. The upper absolute limit, above which no airline accepts a single bag, is 32 kg (approximately 5 stone exactly), driven by occupational health guidance protecting baggage handlers from injury.
For more detailed conversions, see our guides for 20 kg to stone and 15 kg to stone.
Quick Tip: Always weigh at home
"A portable luggage scale costs less than £15 and pays for itself the first time it saves you from an airport excess weight fee. Always weigh your bag 'ready to go', including the weight of the suitcase itself."
Frequently Asked Questions
What is 23 kg in stone and pounds?
23 kg is 3 stone 9 pounds (3 st 8.7 lb exactly). In decimal stone it is 3.622 stone. In pounds it is 50.7 lbs.
What is 20 kg in stone?
20 kg is 3 stone 2 pounds (3 st 2.1 lb). In pounds, 20 kg is 44.1 lbs.
What is 15 kg in stone and pounds?
15 kg is 2 stone 5 pounds (2 st 5.1 lb). In pounds it is 33.1 lbs. This is the easyJet cabin bag limit and TUI standard checked bag limit.
What is the Ryanair baggage weight limit in stone?
Ryanair's Priority cabin bag (10 kg) is 1 stone 8 pounds. Their 20 kg checked bag option is 3 stone 2 pounds. Their 23 kg option, introduced in August 2025, is 3 stone 9 pounds.
Is 3 stone too heavy for a 20 kg bag limit?
No. 3 stone exactly is 19.05 kg, which passes a 20 kg limit, but only just, with less than 1 kg of margin. A single pair of heavy shoes could push it over. 4 stone is 25.4 kg, which fails both 20 kg and 23 kg limits.
Disclaimer: Airline and carrier policies change frequently. Always verify weight limits directly with your airline or carrier before travel. All conversions calculated using 1 stone = 6.35029318 kg exactly.
Dr Muhammad Usman
Dr Muhammad Usman graduated with his MBBS from Avicenna International Medical University in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan (2019–2024).
He brings clinical training across general medicine, surgery, and public health, and writes the site's health information for UK readers in clear, practical language.