Updated: 03/09/2026
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 22 to 24 GB of storage on Windows and Mac after a full install in 2026. The installer itself is tiny, around 68 MB on Windows and 66.6 MB on Mac, but the full client downloads roughly 9 to 10 GB during setup and then unpacks and patches to the final size on disk. Riot’s official page still lists 16 GB as the minimum, but that number is outdated, the real install is 22 GB or more, so you should keep at least 25 GB free to leave room for patches.
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 | Initial Download | Final Storage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Windows | 68 MB | 9 to 10 GB | 22 to 24 GB |
| Mac | 66.6 MB | 9 to 10 GB | 22 to 24 GB |
Keep an extra 3 to 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. Your install size also creeps up a few GB over months of patches, so if you see 25 to 28 GB after a while, that is normal. A clean reinstall brings it back down to around 22 GB.
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 to 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 to 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 25 GB of free space and a stable internet connection before starting. Macs running Apple Silicon (M1, M2, M3, M4) run the game through Rosetta 2 translation and play smoothly for most users.
League of Legends System Requirements
LoL runs on almost any modern computer, but Riot raised the floor with a DirectX 11 requirement that caught some players off guard. Here are the current minimum specs for smooth gameplay.
| Spec | Minimum |
|---|---|
| OS | Windows 10 (Build 19041+) or Windows 11 |
| 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 11 (feature level 11_0) now required |
| VRAM | 1 GB |
| RAM | 2 GB (4 GB or more recommended) |
| Storage | 16 GB minimum listed (25 GB recommended) |
| Recommended Resolution | 1024×768 |
Important 2026 requirement changes to know:
- DirectX 11 is now mandatory. As of Patch 25.02 and enforced since Patch 25.21, Windows players need DirectX 11 (feature level 11_0) and Mac players need Metal. If your GPU does not support it, the “Play” button is greyed out and you cannot launch the game.
- Windows 7, 8, and 8.1 are no longer supported. You need Windows 10 (Build 19041 or newer) or Windows 11. DirectX 9 support was removed back in Patch 14.9.
- Windows 11 users should enable TPM 2.0 on their motherboard so Riot’s Vanguard anti-cheat runs smoothly.
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. Riot’s recommended specs list an Intel Core i5-3300 or AMD Ryzen 3 1200, 4 GB of RAM, and an NVIDIA GTX 560 or AMD HD 6950.
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 | 22 to 24 GB |
| Valorant | 30 GB |
| Smite | 30 GB |
| Dota 2 | 48 GB |
| Apex Legends | 56 GB |
Apex Legends takes more than twice the space of LoL. Even Dota 2, LoL’s biggest competitor, demands roughly 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 2026
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.
- Worlds prize pool: Multi-million-dollar prize pools at the annual World Championship.
- Tournament tiers: Local amateur events, regional leagues (LCS, LEC, LCK, LPL), and international showdowns like MSI and Worlds.
- Recent Worlds champions: T1 (South Korea), the powerhouse team led by Faker, the most decorated player in the game’s history.
- 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 |
| Initial Download | 9 to 10 GB |
| Final Storage | 22 to 24 GB |
| Free Space Recommended | 25 GB |
| Free-to-play | Yes |
| Platforms | Windows, Mac (PC only) |
| Monthly Players | 117+ million |
| Registered Players | 200+ million |
| Patch Cadence | Every 2 weeks |
| Best Storage Setup | Internal SSD (faster load times, smoother updates) |
Conclusion
League of Legends takes 22 to 24 GB on PC, middle of the pack compared to other competitive games. It’s free, runs on almost any modern device that supports DirectX 11, and ties into the largest esports scene in the world. Quick checklist before you install:
- For Windows: Have 25 GB free, run Windows 10 (Build 19041+) or 11, and make sure your GPU supports DirectX 11.
- For Mac: Make sure you’re on a modern macOS version with Metal support and 25 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 about 22 to 24 GB of storage on both Windows and Mac after a full install in 2026. The installer itself is only 68 MB on Windows and 66.6 MB on Mac, but the full game client downloads around 9 to 10 GB during setup and then unpacks to the final size. Riot officially lists 16 GB, but that is outdated, so keep at least 25 GB free for biweekly patches.
How many GB is League of Legends?
League of Legends is around 22 to 24 GB installed in 2026. The initial download is smaller at roughly 9 to 10 GB, but the client extracts and patches additional files during setup, bringing the total to 22 GB or more. Your install can grow to 25 to 28 GB over months of patches, which is normal, and a clean reinstall returns it to about 22 GB.
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, as long as your PC supports DirectX 11, which Riot now requires. 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, though 4 GB or more RAM is recommended for a smoother experience. Almost any modern laptop or desktop can run LoL at 60 FPS or higher.
What are the League of Legends system requirements in 2026?
The 2026 minimum requirements are an Intel Core i3-530 or AMD A6-3650 CPU, 2 GB of RAM, an NVIDIA GeForce 9600GT or AMD HD 6570 GPU with DirectX 11 support, and Windows 10 (Build 19041+) or Windows 11. DirectX 11 is now mandatory, Windows 7 and 8 are no longer supported, and Windows 11 users should enable TPM 2.0 for Vanguard anti-cheat. Recommended specs are an i5-3300 or Ryzen 3 1200 with 4 GB of RAM.
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.