In a competitive game like League of Legends, where a single misclick or half-second delay can cost you a teamfight, internet speed becomes more than just a tech spec—it’s a core part of your performance. Whether you’re a casual player grinding ARAMs or a ranked warrior aiming for Challenger, having a stable connection is just as critical as champion mastery or item builds.
So, what internet speed do you actually need to play League of Legends smoothly? And why do some players lag even with fast connections? Let’s break down the numbers, the myths, and the real requirements for lag-free League.
Minimum Internet Speed Requirements for League of Legends
League of Legends is surprisingly lightweight in terms of bandwidth usage. You don’t need a super-fast connection to play reliably.
Here are Riot Games’ general recommendations:
- Download speed: 3 Mbps or higher
- Upload speed: 1 Mbps or higher
- Ping (latency): Below 60 ms for optimal performance
- Packet loss: 0% (or as close to zero as possible)
- Jitter: Below 30 ms for consistent input response
To be clear: even budget-tier internet plans (10 Mbps and up) are more than sufficient for League. The real enemy isn’t slow speed—it’s high ping, packet loss, and jitter.
How Much Data Does League of Legends Use?
For those on limited or mobile data plans, League of Legends is actually one of the more efficient online games:
- Per match data usage: ~25 to 40 MB
- Hourly usage: Roughly 50 MB/hour
This means you can play for several hours on a 1 GB data plan without any issue, assuming no updates or downloads in the background.
Ping vs. Speed: Why Low Ping Is More Important
Many players think a faster internet speed guarantees a smoother game. But what matters most in real-time multiplayer games like League is latency, also known as ping—the time it takes for your computer to communicate with Riot’s servers.
- Below 30 ms: Ideal, ultra-smooth response
- 30–60 ms: Excellent for most players
- 60–100 ms: Playable but less responsive
- 100+ ms: Noticeable delay, harder to kite, combo, or dodge
- 200+ ms: Difficult to play competitively
Ping depends on server distance, network routing, and Wi-Fi vs. Ethernet, not just your raw Mbps.
How to Reduce Lag and Improve Connection Quality
If you have a decent internet plan but still experience lag, try these tips:
- Use a wired Ethernet connection – Wi-Fi can introduce interference and random lag spikes.
- Close background apps – Programs like Steam, Discord, or cloud backups can eat bandwidth.
- Restart your router – Especially if your connection feels “sluggish” over time.
- Avoid peak hours – Your neighborhood’s shared bandwidth can slow during evening hours.
- Switch DNS servers – Use services like Cloudflare for faster routing.
For competitive players, investing in low-latency gaming routers or fiber internet can provide a meaningful edge.
Recommended Internet Plans for League of Legends
You don’t need gigabit speeds for League, but here are safe targets:
- Solo players: 10–25 Mbps download, 5 Mbps upload
- Shared household: 50–100 Mbps total bandwidth to avoid congestion
- Streamers or content creators: 100+ Mbps, especially if uploading video while playing
Keep in mind: it’s not just about bandwidth, but also network quality and stability.
Final Thoughts: Stability over Speed
At the end of the day, League of Legends doesn’t demand much from your internet—but it demands consistency. You can win games with 10 Mbps if your ping is 30 ms and stable. But you’ll lose them at 500 Mbps if your connection spikes every 10 seconds.
So the next time lag ruins your combo, check your ping before you blame your speed. And remember: sometimes, a $5 Ethernet cable is more valuable than a $500 router.
Written by:
Christian