If you’re gearing up to download Riot Games’ hit tactical shooter, the first question you’re probably asking is how much space is Valorant going to take up on your device. There’s nothing more frustrating than clicking download, only to get a pop-up saying you don’t have enough free storage to finish the process. I’ve lost count of how many times I’ve had to uninstall old indie games just to fit a new Valorant act drop, so I’ve done all the testing to figure out exactly how much space you actually need. This guide breaks down exact storage requirements across all supported platforms, plus easy fixes to cut down on unnecessary file bloat.
How Much Space Is Valorant on Each Platform?
Storage requirements vary slightly depending on what device you play on, and you’ll always want to leave extra room for future patches and cached data. If you’re wondering how much space is Valorant going to take up long term, plan for at least 45GB of free space to avoid issues with upcoming act updates.
PC (Windows 10/11): Base install size is currently ~31GB, but most users will see it take up 35-38GB after regular patches, in-game cache, and saved settings are added. If you opt in to the optional 4K texture pack for high-end rigs, add another 9GB to that total. The Vanguard anti-cheat software that runs alongside the game takes up less than 1GB of extra space on its own.
PlayStation 5: The native PS5 version clocks in at ~34GB for a fresh install, with post-launch patches usually adding 1-3GB each every few weeks. Unlike PC, there’s no separate texture pack download, as the console automatically optimizes assets for your display to cut down on unnecessary file size.
Xbox Series X/S: Fresh installs are ~33GB for Series S and ~35GB for Series X, since the Series X runs higher native resolution assets by default. You won’t need to download any extra packs for higher quality, and updates are usually smaller than PS5 versions thanks to Microsoft’s smart delivery compression technology.
Why Valorant’s Storage Size Grows Over Time
A lot of players notice that the install size creeps up months after they first download the game, and that’s not a bug. Riot releases regular content updates every two weeks to add new features, fix bugs, and balance agent abilities, all of which add small amounts of storage space over time.
Each new act, which drops every three months, adds a new agent, map, or game mode that brings new voice lines, 3D models, ability assets, and cosmetic content. These act updates usually add 3-5GB of space to your install total each time. Cached game data from matches, custom crosshair settings, and downloaded cosmetic previews also build up in your game folders over time, usually taking up 1-3GB of extra space after 6 months of play.
The biggest culprit for unexpected storage bloat is unused language packs that install automatically if you don’t uncheck them during setup. Many players have 3-4 extra language packs taking up 2-3GB each that they never use for voice or text, which adds up fast if you don’t manually remove them later.
Simple Ways to Reduce Valorant’s Storage Footprint
You don’t have to delete other games just to make room for Valorant patches. I’ve tested these fixes myself, and they’ve cut my own install size by almost 10GB without breaking any game features or deleting my saved settings.
Just make sure you don’t delete any core Vanguard files when you’re clearing cache, as that can cause the game to fail to launch on your next boot. If you’re not sure which files are safe to delete, stick to the in-game options first before messing with program folders to avoid accidental breaks.
What to Do If You Don’t Have Enough Space for Valorant
If you’re still short on storage after trying the fixes above, there are a few workarounds that don’t require you to upgrade your hard drive right away. First, you can install Valorant on an external SSD, which works just as well as an internal drive as long as it has a USB 3.0 or faster connection. I’ve run Valorant off a portable SSD for months when my main drive was full, and I didn’t notice any difference in load times or input lag during ranked play.
Avoid installing Valorant on a traditional HDD though, as the slow read speeds will lead to long match load times and occasional texture pop-in that can put you at a disadvantage in competitive play. You’ll end up loading into rounds later than your opponents, and you might miss out on critical early picks as a result.
Another option is to move other less frequently played games to an external drive or cloud storage to free up space on your main internal drive for Valorant, since it’s a game you probably log into multiple times a week. If you’re planning to upgrade your storage soon, a 512GB SSD is more than enough to hold Valorant, your other favorite games, and your operating system with room to spare for future updates.
At the end of the day, the exact answer to how much space is Valorant needed will vary a bit depending on your platform and how long you’ve had the game installed, but you can expect to need at least 40GB of free space to be safe. Taking a few minutes to clean up unused files every few months will keep your install size small, so you don’t have to worry about missing a new patch drop or a ranked queue with your friends. If you’re still running into storage issues after following the tips above, a fresh install is almost always the fastest fix to clear out leftover bloat without any extra work.
