League of Legends is the biggest game on the planet by viewership and one of the most-played free-to-play titles ever made. Released in 2009, it still pulls over 117 million active players every month and hosts the biggest esports tournament in the world.
If you’re about to install it, the first question is simple — how much space does LoL take up? The answer changes whether you’re on Windows or Mac. This guide covers the full download size, system requirements, esports scope, and exactly how to free up storage if you’re short on space.
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How Big Is League of Legends? Quick Answer
League of Legends takes about 20 to 21 GB of storage on Windows and Mac. The installer itself is tiny — 68 MB on Windows and 66.6 MB on Mac — but the full client downloads 10 to 11 GB of additional files during setup.
That’s the short answer. Below is the full breakdown.
LoL File Size by Platform
League of Legends uses a small installer that downloads the bulk of the game during setup. Final disk usage is similar across Windows and Mac.
| Platform | Installer Size | Final Storage |
|---|---|---|
| Windows | 68 MB | 20–21 GB |
| Mac | 66.6 MB | 20–21 GB |
Keep an extra 3–5 GB free for patches and seasonal updates. LoL patches every 2 weeks with champion changes, new skins, and balance updates that temporarily eat extra storage during downloads.
How to Free Up Space for League of Legends
Short on storage? Here are five proven ways to clear room before installing LoL.
1. Delete Unused Files
Old downloads, screenshots, and forgotten game installers add up fast. Sort your downloads folder by file size and remove anything you haven’t used in 6 months. This alone usually frees 2–5 GB.
2. Move Files to Another Drive
LoL installs to your C drive by default. If your C drive is full, move documents, photos, and videos to another local drive to make room. This is the fastest fix if you have multiple drives.
3. Upload Files to the Cloud
Cloud storage is the easiest way to recover space without losing access to your files. Google Drive gives you 15 GB free, OneDrive offers 5 GB, and iCloud offers 5 GB. Upload large folders, then delete the local copies.
4. Upgrade to an SSD
If you’re constantly running out of storage, upgrade to an SSD. Modern SSDs are cheap, dramatically faster than traditional HDDs, and dramatically improve LoL load times. This is the best long-term fix.
5. Use External Storage
External SSDs let you install LoL directly on the external drive. Performance is slightly slower than an internal SSD but still better than an old HDD. A solid budget option if you can’t upgrade your main drive.
Between upgrading your hard drive and using external storage, upgrading the internal drive is the better long-term solution. External storage works in a pinch but adds minor load lag in matches.
How to Download LoL on Windows
Installing League of Legends on Windows takes 4 steps. Here’s the full process:
- Visit the official LoL website at leagueoflegends.com
- Choose your region in the top-right corner. This determines your server — the closer the server, the lower your ping and the better your gameplay experience
- Click “Download for Windows” to grab the installer (68 MB)
- Run the installer from your downloads folder and let it complete the full game download
The full install takes 20–40 minutes depending on your internet speed. Wired connections are noticeably faster than Wi-Fi for the initial download.
How to Download LoL on Mac
The Mac install process is nearly identical to Windows:
- Visit leagueoflegends.com
- Choose your region in the top-right corner
- Click “Download Mac Installer” (below the Windows option, 66.6 MB)
- Run the installer and let the full client download
Make sure you have at least 21 GB of free space and a stable internet connection before starting. Macs running Apple Silicon (M1, M2, M3, M4) run the game smoothly.
League of Legends System Requirements
LoL runs on almost any modern computer. Here are the minimum specs for smooth gameplay.
| Spec | Minimum |
|---|---|
| OS | Windows 10, 11 (Win 7/8/8.1 no longer supported as of Patch 14.4) |
| OS Architecture | x64 |
| CPU | Intel Core i3-530 / AMD A6-3650 (ARM not supported) |
| CPU Features | SSE3 |
| GPU | NVIDIA GeForce 9600GT / AMD HD 6570 / Intel HD 4600 Integrated |
| GPU Features | DirectX 10-Level Hardware |
| VRAM | 1 GB |
| RAM | 2 GB |
| Storage | 16 GB HDD (recommended 21 GB) |
| Recommended Resolution | 1024×768 |
If you’re chasing competitive performance, aim well above the minimum. A modern Intel i5 or Ryzen 5 with 8 GB of RAM and an SSD will run LoL at 144+ FPS without issue.
Is League of Legends Bigger Than Other Games?
LoL is one of the smaller competitive games on the market by file size. Here’s how it compares to other popular titles:
| Game | Hard Disk Required |
|---|---|
| Teamfight Tactics | 12 GB |
| Rocket League | 20 GB |
| League of Legends | 21 GB |
| Valorant | 30 GB |
| Smite | 30 GB |
| Dota 2 | 48 GB |
| Apex Legends | 56 GB |
Apex Legends takes more than 2.5 times the space of LoL. Even Dota 2, LoL’s biggest competitor, demands more than double the storage. If hard drive space is your concern, League of Legends sits comfortably in the lighter half of the competitive gaming pack.
The Esports Scope of League of Legends in 2025
League of Legends isn’t just big — it’s the biggest esports title on the planet. Here’s the scope of the LoL community right now:
- Registered players: Over 200 million registered users worldwide.
- Active monthly players: Over 117 million per month, growing every season.
- Twitch following: 37.6 million Twitch followers and consistent 243K+ live viewership.
- 2023 Worlds prize pool: $2.23 million USD at the South Korea World Championship.
- Tournament tiers: Local amateur events, regional leagues (LCS, LEC, LCK, LPL), and international showdowns like MSI and Worlds.
- 2024 LoL Worlds champions: T1 (South Korea), winning their 5th World Championship under Faker.
- Patch cadence: New balance patches every 2 weeks, with major content updates each split.
The competitive scene continues to grow, with regional leagues feeding into international championships and the prize pool climbing year over year. Whether you’re casual or competitive, LoL has one of the deepest gameplay ecosystems in gaming.
League of Legends at a Glance
| Category | Detail |
|---|---|
| Installer Size (Windows) | 68 MB |
| Installer Size (Mac) | 66.6 MB |
| Final Storage | 20–21 GB |
| Free-to-play | Yes |
| Platforms | Windows, Mac (PC only) |
| Monthly Players | 117+ million |
| Registered Players | 200+ million |
| 2023 Worlds Prize Pool | $2.23 million USD |
| Patch Cadence | Every 2 weeks |
| Best Storage Setup | Internal SSD (faster load times, smoother updates) |
Conclusion
League of Legends takes 20 to 21 GB on PC — middle of the pack compared to other competitive games. It’s free, runs on almost any modern device, and ties into the largest esports scene in the world. Quick checklist before you install:
- For Windows: Have 21 GB free and meet the system requirements above.
- For Mac: Make sure you’re on a modern macOS version with 21 GB available.
- For Storage Issues: Clear unused files, move to another drive, or upgrade to an SSD for the best long-term fix.
- For Region Choice: Pick the server closest to you for the lowest ping.
- For Climbing: Stick with two champions and one role until you hit Platinum.
Once you’re in, the real grind begins. Master CS, learn the meta, and climb the ladder — every Faker started somewhere, and now is one of the best times to start playing.
FAQ
How big is League of Legends on PC?
League of Legends takes 20 to 21 GB of storage on both Windows and Mac. The installer itself is only 68 MB on Windows and 66.6 MB on Mac, but the full game client downloads 10 to 11 GB of additional files during setup. Keep an extra 3 to 5 GB free for biweekly patches.
Is League of Legends free to download?
Yes. League of Legends has been free-to-play since launch in 2009. Riot Games monetizes through cosmetic skins, chromas, emotes, ward skins, and event passes that don’t affect gameplay balance. Every champion can also be unlocked for free using Blue Essence earned in-game.
Can I run League of Legends on a low-end PC?
Yes. LoL has some of the lightest system requirements in competitive gaming. An Intel Core i3-530, 2 GB of RAM, and integrated Intel HD 4600 graphics are enough to run the game smoothly. Almost any modern laptop or desktop can run LoL at 60 FPS or higher.
How many people play League of Legends?
League of Legends has over 200 million registered players and more than 117 million active monthly players. It is consistently one of the most-played PC games in the world and has the highest esports viewership of any title.