If you’re gearing up to jump into Riot’s iconic MOBA for the first time, or reinstalling after a long break, the first question you’re probably asking is how big is League of Legends download. The size has changed a lot over the years, as Riot adds new champions, game modes, visual updates, and quality of life fixes to keep the 15+ year old game feeling fresh. You don’t want to start the install right before a planned group play session only to find out you’re 20GB short on storage, so we’ve broken down everything you need to know about download and install sizes across every supported device, plus extra tips to speed up the process.
How Big Is League of Legends Download Across Different Devices?
The total download size varies based on the platform you use, as different devices require different asset packs and architecture support files. The numbers below are for the most recent version of the game, as of the latest patch cycle, and include all core game modes like Summoner’s Rift, ARAM, and rotating event modes.
Keep in mind these numbers are for the base game only, with no optional add-ons. If you opt to download extra content like custom skin packs, champion voice lines in multiple languages, or esports replay packs, you can add up to 10GB extra to your total install size. You should always leave at least 10GB of extra free space on your drive after installing, to make room for bi-weekly patches that can range from 1GB to 5GB each.
Factors That Make Your League of Legends Download Larger Than Expected
Many new players are surprised when their install ends up being 10+GB bigger than the advertised base size, and there are a few common reasons for that discrepancy. The first is optional content that is selected by default during the install process: most players don’t need 5 different language packs, but the Riot Client will automatically download them unless you uncheck the boxes during setup. Old cached files and leftover assets from removed limited-time game modes can also pile up if you’ve had the game installed for several years, bloating your total file size by a surprising amount.
If you’re tight on storage and waiting for the LoL download to complete, you might be looking for light, low-storage games to play in the interim to pass the time. Lots of players opt for quick, casual titles that don’t take up more than a few hundred MBs, so they don’t eat into the space they saved for LoL. Casual card game fans often fire up Love Rummy during long download waits, as it runs straight through your browser without requiring a large install, and fits perfectly into 10 or 15 minute gaps between download progress checks.
You can also clear out old unused game files, temporary download files, and old screenshots to free up extra space while you wait, so you have enough room for all the optional LoL content you want to add later. If you’re downloading on a laptop, make sure it’s plugged in, as the download will slow down significantly if your device switches to power-saving mode mid-install.
Tips to Reduce Your League of Legends Install Size
If you’re working with limited storage space, you don’t have to give up on playing LoL entirely. There are several simple changes you can make to cut your total install size by 5 to 10GB without impacting your gameplay experience at all.
Uninstall unused language packs through the Riot Client settings. Most players only need one language for text and voice lines, and removing extra packs can free up 2 to 4GB of space instantly. Turn off automatic replay saves if you don’t review your games regularly. Replays only take up 10MB each, but saving every match for six months can add up to 3GB or more of unused files. You can adjust your settings to only save ranked matches, or manually save games you want to review later.
Skip high-res texture packs if you have an older PC or 1080p monitor. The high-res asset pack is designed for 4K displays, and you won’t notice a visual difference on smaller or lower-resolution screens, but skipping it can save you 3 to 5GB of space. Do a fresh install once a year if you’ve had LoL on your device for a long time. Old patch files and leftover assets from removed game modes often don’t get deleted during regular updates, and a fresh install can cut your total file size by 10GB or more in some cases. All your progress, skins, and unlocks are saved to your Riot account, so you won’t lose anything by reinstalling.
Common Mistakes to Avoid When Downloading League of Legends
Even if you have enough storage space for the download, small mistakes can slow down your install or leave you with a broken version of the game that you have to redownload entirely. Avoid these common errors to get into your first match as quickly as possible.
Downloading from unofficial sources is the biggest mistake new players make. Third-party sites often advertise “compressed” or “smaller” LoL downloads, but these almost always come with malware, missing files, or outdated versions that will require you to download 20GB of patches anyway. Always download directly from the official Riot Client to avoid security risks and unnecessary extra downloads.
Starting the download on a metered internet connection is another common error. The base download is nearly 30GB, which will eat through most mobile data caps in minutes, and the download will pause automatically if you hit your cap, leaving you with half-installed files you have to delete and restart. Ignoring minimum storage requirements will also cause issues down the line. Even if you have exactly enough space for the base install, you won’t be able to install future patches, which can cause the game to crash or fail to launch. Always leave at least 10GB of extra free space after install to avoid this issue.
At the end of the day, the exact answer to how big is League of Legends download will vary a little based on your device, the content you choose to install, and how long you’ve had the game on your drive. By planning ahead for extra storage space, skipping optional content you don’t need, and downloading directly from the official source, you’ll be jumping into your first Summoner’s Rift match with your friends in no time, no unexpected storage errors to slow you down.