League of Legends Download Size: Full Storage Breakdown for 2026
The League of Legends download size starts with a small Riot Client installer, then the client downloads the game itself. Riot asks for 16 GB on Windows and 40 GB on macOS. The installed folder grows with every patch and includes Teamfight Tactics, so leave generous free space beyond those numbers.
What is the LoL download size?
It comes in stages. The file you download from Riot’s website is only the Riot Client installer, a small program measured in megabytes. Once it runs, the client downloads League itself. Then it unpacks the files and patches them to the current version, and on Windows it also installs Riot Vanguard, the anti-cheat, which needs a restart before you can play (do not skip it, League will not start without one).
So when people ask about the download, they usually mean the game data the client pulls after install. That part depends on the current patch, your region’s files and the language you choose, which is why numbers quoted online differ so much. Riot does not publish a single “download size” figure. It publishes storage requirements, and those are the safest numbers to plan around.
League of Legends storage requirements in 2026
These are Riot’s official figures, from its system requirements page:
| Platform | Minimum storage | Recommended storage |
|---|---|---|
| Windows 10 (build 19041+) or 11 | 16 GB HDD | 16 GB SSD |
| macOS 12 or later | 40 GB | 40 GB |
The difference between the two platforms is large, and Riot does not explain it on that page. Take both numbers as the floor. In practice, a folder that receives a patch every two weeks only grows, and the install also needs temporary space while it unpacks files, so a drive with exactly 16 GB free is asking for a stuck install. Windows also wants free space of its own for updates and the page file, which eats into that margin.
Our rule of thumb: keep at least double the official figure free on Windows before installing, and keep some headroom on Mac too. The game will not use all of it, but patches and the unpacking step will thank you.
What is inside the League folder?
More than League. The folder holds the game, the shared files that Teamfight Tactics uses (TFT runs from the same client and the same install), voice and text files for your chosen language, logs and a cache. Vanguard installs separately as a system component on Windows and is small compared with the game.
That shared setup explains a common surprise. Players who never open TFT still carry its assets, because the two modes share one installation. Changing the game language also downloads that language’s files, which adds to the total.
LoL patch download size: how big are updates?
Usually small compared with the full game. League gets a regular patch roughly every two weeks, and most patches change balance numbers, a few champions and some skins. Bigger downloads come with new champions, large skin lines, map or mode changes and the season start in January, when Riot tends to ship the most new content at once.
Thing is, patch size matters less than what happens to the folder over time. Old logs and cached data pile up, and after months of patches the install is noticeably larger than a fresh one. A clean reinstall shrinks it again (more on that below).
How long does the League download take?
It depends almost entirely on your connection. The client downloads at whatever speed your line gives it, so a fast fibre connection finishes the game data in minutes, while a slow or shared line can take an hour or more. After the download, unpacking and patching add time that depends on your drive: an SSD finishes far quicker than an old hard drive.
Funny enough, a few things slow it down that have nothing to do with League itself, and they are worth ruling out before blaming the Riot Client or your provider:
- Other downloads or streams running on the same network.
- Wi-Fi far from the router; a cable is faster and more stable.
- An almost full drive, which slows unpacking and can stop it completely.
- Antivirus scanning every new file as it is written, which slows unpacking noticeably on older PCs with a hard drive instead of an SSD.
League of Legends download size on Windows vs Mac
Riot lists 16 GB for Windows and 40 GB for macOS, so on paper the Mac version needs more than twice the space. The Windows install also includes Vanguard, which the Mac client does not use. Whatever the reason for the gap, the practical advice is the same on both: follow the official figure as the minimum and keep extra free space.
Is the Mac figure a typo? Probably not, since Riot repeats it for both minimum and recommended specs. Mac players have another reason to check space first. MacBooks often have small internal drives, and League plus system updates can fill them quickly. Our guide to League of Legends on Mac covers the rest of the Mac requirements.
How to check and reduce the LoL download size on disk
To see how much space League uses on Windows, open the install folder (by default C:\Riot Games\League of Legends), right-click it and choose Properties. On a Mac, select the League app in Finder and use Get Info.
Want it smaller? These steps are safe:
- Delete old log files in the League folder’s Logs directory; the game recreates what it needs.
- Clear your Downloads folder of old installers.
- Run the repair option in the Riot Client settings, which replaces broken or leftover files.
- If the folder has grown far beyond a fresh install, uninstall and reinstall cleanly.
What not to do: delete random files inside the game folders to save space. The client will either download them again or refuse to start. Honestly, a reinstall is quicker than fixing a half-deleted install, and it gives you a clean folder as a bonus.
Can you move League to another drive?
Yes, though the cleanest way is a reinstall. Uninstall League, then install it again and choose the new drive as the location during setup. Moving the folder by hand can work, but the Riot Client may then ask to repair or redownload files, which costs the same time anyway.
If you are moving to an SSD, it is worth it. Riot recommends an SSD on Windows for a reason: loading screens, patching and the client all run faster from one.
Does the LoL download size change by region?
Slightly. The core game is the same everywhere, but language files differ, and some regions offer several languages. The account’s region decides which game server you play on, not how big the base game is. If you play on more than one region with the same install, the client handles that without a second full download.
For what it’s worth, the bigger difference between players is language choice and how long ago the game was installed, not the region. A fresh install in English and a two-year-old install with an extra language pack can differ quite a bit.
How much data does League use while playing?
Very little. League sends small, frequent updates during a match, so a game uses a tiny amount of data compared with streaming video. What matters for gameplay is not the data volume but stable latency; our LoL ping test shows your round trip to each region.
Patches are the larger data cost. On a capped or mobile connection, plan the download of a new patch the same way you would any big update, and let the client finish before queuing.
Installed League? What to do next
Long story short, once the client is ready, create or log in to your Riot account, pick your region and play a few normal games to settle settings. New to the game? Start here: creating a LoL account. If League refuses to start after the install, the guide to fixing the LoL black screen covers the most common startup problems. A clean reinstall resets the League of Legends download size when it creeps up after a year of patches. If you would rather skip the leveling after the install, our hand-leveled level 30 accounts are checked before handover and carry a 30-day warranty.
FAQ
How many GB is League of Legends?
Riot lists 16 GB of storage for Windows and 40 GB for macOS. The installed folder grows with patches, so keep extra free space.
How big is the LoL download?
The Riot Client installer is small; the client then downloads the game data. The size depends on the current patch and language, so plan around Riot’s storage requirements.
Does League of Legends include TFT?
Yes. Teamfight Tactics runs from the same client and shares the same installation, so its files are part of the League folder.
How often does League update?
League gets a regular patch roughly every two weeks, with larger updates at the start of a season and with big new content.
Why is my League folder bigger than the requirements?
Logs, cache and extra language files build up over time. Deleting old logs or doing a clean reinstall reduces the size.
Can I install League on an external drive?
You can choose another drive during installation. A fast internal SSD gives the best loading times; slow external drives make patching and loading slower.
Does League need an SSD?
No, the minimum is a hard drive, but Riot recommends an SSD on Windows for faster loading and patching.
