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Chicco KeyFit

The Chicco KeyFit rear-faces up to 22 lb, is 16.8 in wide, and weighs 9 lb, per Chicco. The original Chicco KeyFit, a lightweight carrier for babies up to 22 lb with a stay-in-car base.

  • $209.99List price
  • 22 lbRear-facing to
  • 9 lbSeat weight
  • 16.75 inWidth
See it on Chicco's site

When does it expire?

Follow Chicco

All infant car seats

KeyFit: key facts

  • The Chicco KeyFit rear-faces from 4 to 22 lb and up to 30 in tall, per Chicco.
  • Outgrown by height: "Do Not use this Child Restraint if top of child's head is within 1 inch (25 mm) of the top of the headrest."
  • It installs with LATCH (SuperCinch) or seat belt (belt lock-off).
  • Chicco says it expires 6 years after the date of manufacture.
  • Chicco lists it as certified for aircraft ("This Child Restraint is certified for use on aircraft.").
  • It's 16.8 in wide at the widest point and weighs 9 lb without the base.

From Chicco's manual and published specs. Always follow the limits on your seat's labels.

How the KeyFit stacks up

Against the 74 infant car seats we track. The shaded band is where the middle half of them fall; the dot is this one.

Expiration6 years

Within the typical range for infant car seats (6 years to 8 years).

This one
6 yearsmiddle 7 years10 years
Rear-facing limit22 lb71st highest rear-facing limit of 73

Below the 30 lb most infant car seats list.

This one
22 lbmiddle 30 lb35 lb
Width16.8 in4th narrowest of 41

Below the typical range for infant car seats (16.9 in to 17.5 in).

This one
14.8 inmiddle 17.3 in19 in
Weight9 lb25th lightest of 58

Within the typical range for infant car seats (8.2 lb to 9.8 lb).

This one
6 lbmiddle 9 lb29 lb
Price$209.9914th lowest price of 58

Below the typical range for infant car seats ($219.99 to $449.99).

This one
$74.99middle $329.99$850

What sets the KeyFit apart

Measured against the 74 infant car seats we compare, from each maker's published specs.

  • 4th narrowestof the 41 infant car seats with it published: 16.8 in
  • Rear-facing limit: 22 lbbelow the middle half of the 73 infant car seats that publish it (30 lb to 30 lb)
  • Weight: 9 lbin the middle half of the 58 infant car seats that publish it (8.2 lb to 9.8 lb)

Next to its closest matches

Strollers named with the KeyFit

10 strollers on Cribpicks are named with the KeyFit in a maker's fit list. Listed stroller fit: All Chicco strollers except Liteway and Urbino.

StrollerHow it is listed
Chicco Bravino PlusNamed by Chicco, no adapter
Bumbleride SpeedNamed by Bumbleride, with an adapter
Chicco BravinoNamed by Chicco, with an adapter
Chicco BravoFor2Named by Chicco, with an adapter
Jeep Wrangler Mojave All-Terrain Stroller WagonNamed by Jeep, with an adapter
Mockingbird Single (original)With the Car Seat Adapter
Mockingbird Single-to-Double (original)With the Car Seat Adapter
Wonderfold W2 EliteWith the W4 Car Seat Adapter
Wonderfold W2 LuxeWith the W4 Car Seat Adapter
Wonderfold W2 OriginalWith the W4 Car Seat Adapter

Matched by brand and model name. Fit can depend on the model year, so check yours with both makers.

Flying with the KeyFit

Chicco's label: “This Child Restraint is certified for use on aircraft.” It is 16.75 in wide at its widest point.

What airlines say about car seats:

  • American: “Each ticketed customer is allowed 1 stroller and 1 car seat to be checked free of charge” “If an unoccupied, adjoining seat is not available, the gate agent will check the safety seat to your final destination.” Source
  • Alaska: “We will transport your child's car seat and stroller free of charge as checked baggage.” Source
  • JetBlue: “Checking a child safety seat will not count towards your checked baggage allowance and there is no fee assessed” Source
  • Spirit: “One (1) car seat will be accepted per child as checked baggage at no charge.” Source
  • Frontier: “strollers and car seats can be checked for free.” Source
  • Allegiant: “There is no charge for checking or gate checking one car seat per fare-paying passenger.” Source
  • Breeze: “Child seats may be carried on board the aircraft if a seat has been purchased for the Infant or Child” Source

Quoted from each airline's page as of 2026-11-02.

Listed features

  • Light carrier

Worth checking

  • 22 lb limit means babies outgrow it sooner

Where to buy the KeyFit

Prices and availability change. We may earn a commission from some links.

good to know
  • Check for recalls: Search the agency's recall list with the model number and date code from the label: NHTSA recall search.
  • Car seat use and installation: see NHTSA's car seat page, which also lists free car seat inspection by certified technicians. Check the label and the maker's instructions, and ask your pediatrician about your child.

Full specs

Chicco KeyFit
TypeInfant car seat
List price$209.99
Rear-facing weight4–22 lb
Rear-facing heightUp to 30 in
Seat weight9 lb
Base weight7 lb
Width16.75 in
Head ruleDo Not use this Child Restraint if top of child's head is within 1 inch (25 mm) of the top of the headrest.
Base includedYes
Newborn insertNewborn Positioner: only for infants who weigh between 4 and 11 lbs (1.8 and 5 kg); separate Head Rest Insert may be used with or without the Newborn Positioner (never with harness in upper slots).
InstallationLATCH (SuperCinch), seat belt (belt lock-off)
Load legNo
RotatesNo
Harness heights3
Recline positions5
Works with strollersAll Chicco strollers except Liteway and Urbino
Handle in the car3 positions (Carrying, Stationary, Rocking): 'ALWAYS place handle in one of the LOCKED positions when using Child Restraint in vehicle.'
Aircraft labelCertified for aircraft, per the maker
Expires after6 years

Compare the KeyFit with

How each closest rival differs from the KeyFit, from the makers' specs.

Ask the meadow

KeyFit: questions answered

From Chicco's published specs, last checked 2026-11-06.

Does the Chicco KeyFit rear-face longer than other infant seats?

93 of the 97 infant seats we track rear-face to a higher weight than its 22 lb. The highest is the Baby Jogger City GO 2 at 35 lb. NHTSA: stay rear-facing "until he or she reaches the top height or weight limit allowed by your car seat's manufacturer." (NHTSA)

Will the Chicco KeyFit fit three across or in a small car?

It's narrower than 82% of the infant seats we track, at 16.8 in. The narrowest is the Evenflo NurtureMax at 14.8 in. Fit depends on your vehicle; check each seat's manual and your vehicle manual. Car seat use and installation: see NHTSA's car seat page, which also lists free car seat inspection by certified technicians. Check the label and the maker's instructions, and ask your pediatrician about your child.

Is the Chicco KeyFit heavy to carry?

With a 7.5 lb newborn inside you'd lift about 16.5 lb, and that grows as your baby does. The carrier is lighter than 48% of the infant seats we track. See the lightest infant seats.

Can you use the Chicco KeyFit in a taxi or Uber without the base?

Chicco doesn't list a baseless install, so plan on bringing the base. See infant seats that install without a base.

Can you bring the Chicco KeyFit on a plane?

Yes, Chicco lists it as certified for aircraft; look for the red-lettered label that says so. The FAA asks that a car seat go in a window seat so it doesn't block the aisle, and the crew will look for that label. It weighs 9 lb to carry through the airport.

KeyFit or KeyFit ClearTex: what's different?

By the makers' specs, the KeyFit ClearTex has no added flame retardants (maker's claim); the KeyFit ClearTex lists for $40 less. See every spec side by side.

Is it OK to buy a used KeyFit?

NHTSA publishes guidance on used car seats on its car seat page. Chicco lists a lifespan of 6 years from manufacture for this model. Check the label and the maker's instructions, and ask your pediatrician about your child.

Still wondering? Write to us at hello@cribpicks.com and we'll look it up.

More infant car seats

Where these specs come from

Last checked 2026-11-06. Spot something wrong? Tell us. Read our editorial and safety policy and corrections.