League of Legends requires approximately 22 to 24 GB of hard disk space after a full installation on PC. While the initial web installer is tiny at roughly 68 MB, the client downloads about 9 to 10 GB of core game data during setup, then unpacks and patches files dynamically. Riot Games officially lists a minimum of 16 GB, but that figure is outdated; keeping at least 25 GB of free space ensures your system can handle biweekly updates and seasonal patches without throwing disk error warnings.
If you're tight on storage or planning a clean setup, understanding how the game manages its data files prevents unexpected low-memory headaches. Here's a comprehensive breakdown of the actual storage footprint, how patching affects drive space, and practical methods to keep your installation lean.
Exact Download and Storage Breakdown
The installation process happens in stages, which often confuses players watching their progress bars.
- The Web Installer: Downloading the setup executable from the Riot Games Website takes less than 70 MB.
- The Core Download: Once launched, the client downloads compressed game assets totaling roughly 9 to 10 GB.
- Unpacking and Final Footprint: The client extracts those compressed files onto your drive, expanding the total footprint to between 22 and 24 GB.
Compared to modern blockbuster titles that regularly demand 80 to 150 GB, League remains relatively lightweight. However, it requires a dedicated file structure to support rapid asset loading during matches.
How Patches and Updates Bloat Your Drive
League of Legends receives a major software update roughly every two weeks. Most standard patches range from 100 to 400 MB, focusing on champion balance adjustments, bug fixes, and skin rotations. Larger seasonal updates or gameplay overhaul patches can reach up to 1 GB.
During the download and installation of these patches, the Riot client often duplicates or temporarily unpacks files, meaning you might need an extra 3 to 5 GB of breathing room on your drive while an update applies. Over several months of continuous patching, leftover installation caches and redundant logs can cause your folder size to creep up toward 28 GB.
How to Reduce League of Legends File Size
If your game folder has ballooned past normal limits or your storage drive is flashing red, you don't necessarily have to live with the bloat.
- Perform a Clean Reinstall: The most effective way to shrink your folder back to its baseline ~22 GB is to completely uninstall the game, delete any leftover folders in your Riot Games directory, and run a fresh installer. This purges months of accumulated log files and redundant patch data.
- Use the Built-in Repair Tool: Open the Riot Client, go to your League of Legends settings, and select the option to initiate a full repair. This scans corrupted or orphaned files and cleans up wasted sector space without requiring a full download.
- Relocate the Game Files: If your primary SSD is full, you can safely move the entire Riot Games directory to a secondary drive. Just make sure to update the file path inside the Riot Client settings so it can locate the executable without errors.
Hardware Impact: HDD vs. SSD
Storage size isn't the only disk factor that matters; drive speed dictates your match experience. While League technically runs on a traditional Hard Disk Drive (HDD) if you meet the 16 GB minimum spec, doing so severely impacts load times.
Players using mechanical drives are frequently the last ones to load into the Summoner's Rift, which can lead to missed strategy phases or connection timeouts. Installing the game on a Solid State Drive (SSD) ensures near-instant asset streaming and keeps your load times under a few seconds.
You can cross-reference official software prerequisites and guidelines directly through the League of Legends Support Hub to verify your system compatibility before downloading.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I install League of Legends on an external hard drive?
Yes. You can install or move the game to an external SSD or HDD. For stable performance, ensure the external drive uses a high-speed USB 3.0 or USB-C connection to prevent stuttering during team fights.
Why is my game folder larger than 25 GB?
Extended periods of patching accumulate cached update files, crash dumps, and logs. Running a clean reinstall clears out these leftover fragments and restores the installation to its default size.
Does the Riot Client take up separate storage?
Yes, the core Riot Client acts as a launcher for multiple games like Valorant and Teamfight Tactics. The launcher itself requires minimal space (under 1 GB), but shares resources with installed titles.
How much free space should I keep on my drive overall?
Even though the game takes up 24 GB, you should maintain at least 35 to 40 GB of total free space on your installation drive. Windows needs adequate headroom for virtual memory paging and seamless patch extraction.
