Downloading League of Legends is free and takes only a few minutes — you visit the official site, grab a small installer, and the Riot Client does the rest. This guide walks you through every step on Windows and Mac so you can be in your first match as quickly as possible.
What you need before you start
Before downloading, make sure your computer meets the basic requirements. League of Legends runs on Windows 10 / 11 and macOS 10.14 (Mojave) or later. You'll need around 25–30 GB of free disk space for a full installation, plus a stable internet connection for the initial download. You'll also need a free Riot Games account — the process to create one is built right into the download flow.
How to download League of Legends
-
Step 1: Go to the official League of Legends website
Open any web browser and navigate to the official League of Legends website. Look for the "Play for Free" button on the homepage and click it. Always download from this official page to ensure you get a safe, up-to-date copy of the game.
Head to leagueoflegends.com and click the Play for Free button to start the download process. -
Step 2: Create a free Riot Games account
If you don't already have a Riot Games account, you'll be taken to the account creation page. Enter a username (this will be your Riot ID), a valid email address, a secure password, and your date of birth. Accept the terms of service and click Sign Up. If you already have an account from playing Valorant, Teamfight Tactics, or another Riot title, you can skip this step and sign in instead.
Your Riot account is free and works across all Riot Games titles including Valorant and TFT. -
Step 3: Download the Riot Client installer
After signing up or logging in, the site detects your operating system and presents a download button for LoLInstaller.exe (Windows) or LeagueofLegends.dmg (Mac). Click Download and save the file anywhere convenient — your Downloads folder works fine. The installer file itself is small (around 30 MB); the actual game downloads through the client afterward.
Click Download to save the Riot Client installer — it automatically detects Windows or Mac. -
Step 4: Run the installer and let it complete
Locate the downloaded file and double-click it to launch the installer. On Windows you may see a User Account Control (UAC) prompt asking for permission — click Yes to continue. On Mac, open the .dmg and drag the Riot Client app into your Applications folder, then open it. The installer will download and install all core game files automatically. This phase takes 15–45 minutes depending on your internet speed. Leave the window open and let the progress bar complete.
The Riot Client installer downloads all game files automatically — keep it open until it finishes. -
Step 5: Launch the Riot Client and log in
Once installation completes, the Riot Client opens automatically. Enter the username and password you created in Step 2 and click Sign In. You'll see the Riot Client home screen, which lists all available Riot games. Find League of Legends in the left-hand game list, select it, and click Play. The client may apply a small day-one patch before launching — after that you're ready to start your first match.
Sign in with your Riot account, select League of Legends in the Riot Client, and click Play.
Helpful tips
- Keep the installer open. If you close it mid-download, the installation pauses. Relaunch the file to resume where it left off.
- Use a wired connection if possible. A direct Ethernet connection is faster and more stable than Wi-Fi for a 25+ GB download.
- Check for firewall blocks. If the installer stalls at 0%, your firewall or antivirus may be blocking it. Add an exception for the Riot Client or temporarily disable the AV during install.
- One account, all Riot games. Your Riot account works for League of Legends, Teamfight Tactics, Valorant, and other Riot titles — you only need to create it once.
- Updating the game. After your first install, the Riot Client checks for patches automatically each time you open it. You never need to re-download the game manually.
Troubleshooting common issues
The installer stalls and nothing downloads
Close the installer, temporarily disable your antivirus software, and re-run it. Some antivirus programs flag the Riot installer as a false positive. After installation completes, you can re-enable your antivirus.
The Riot Client won't open after installation
Restart your computer and look for the Riot Client shortcut on your desktop or in your Applications folder (Mac). If it still fails to launch, try reinstalling by running the installer again — it detects the existing installation and repairs it.
The download is very slow
The Riot Client uses a patch server closest to your region. If the speed is slow, try changing your DNS to a public one (like 8.8.8.8) or pause any other downloads on your network. The client also has a bandwidth limit option in its settings if you want to cap it while using the internet for other tasks.
Frequently asked questions
Is League of Legends free to download?
Yes. League of Legends is completely free to download and play. The game earns revenue through optional cosmetic purchases (champion skins, emotes, etc.) which have no effect on gameplay.
How big is the League of Legends download?
The initial installer is about 30 MB, but the full game installation uses approximately 25–30 GB of disk space once all files are downloaded by the Riot Client.
Can I download League of Legends on Mac?
Yes. League of Legends supports macOS 10.14 (Mojave) and later. On the download page the site detects your OS and offers the Mac installer automatically. The steps are the same — download the .dmg, open it, drag the app to Applications, and log in.
Do I need Steam to play League of Legends?
No. League of Legends does not use Steam. It runs through Riot's own launcher, the Riot Client, which you download directly from the official website.
Can I use the same account on multiple computers?
Yes. Your Riot account is cloud-based. Install League of Legends on as many computers as you like and log in with your credentials — your champions, skins, and progress carry over automatically.
Ready to play
Getting League of Legends installed is straightforward: visit the official site, create a free Riot account, download the installer, and let the Riot Client handle the rest. Once you're logged in, pick a champion from the rotating free pool and jump into a beginner match to get a feel for the game. For the full list of available champions and current patch notes, check the League of Legends news page.
