How to mine Litecoin (LTC)

What is Litecoin mining?

Litecoin is based on Bitcoin, so if you're familiar with Bitcoin mining, then learning about Litecoin mining will be easy. Even though mining Litecoin is a lot like mining Bitcoin, there are a few key differences. For starters, instead of 10-minute block times, Litecoin has 2.5-minute block times. Instead of a maximum supply of 21 million coins, Litecoin has 84 million coins. Lastly, instead of using the SHA-256 algorithm like Bitcoin, Litecoin uses the scrypt algorithm.

When Litecoin began, 50 LTC were given to the miner that solved each block. Every so often (840,000 blocks), the Litecoin network cuts the block reward in half. This has already happened twice, with the third block reward cut happening sometime in 2023.

The differences between Litecoin and Bitcoin don't mean much in the grand scheme of things as far as learning how to mine Litecoin. To start mining Litecoin, one simply needs a computer that can run the scrypt algorithm. After plugging in the hardware and downloading Litecoin mining software, you can start to mine Litecoin.

How to mine Litecoin in 4 steps?

It may seem daunting to begin mining Litecoin, but Finder has simplified the process into 4 steps. By following the steps outlined below, it will be easy to start mining Litecoin and receiving LTC rewards. Keep in mind that mining Litecoin will cost money in terms of electricity and physical hardware.

Step 1: Get Litecoin mining hardware

Litecoin mining requires specific hardware. This is often referred to as a Litecoin mining "rig". At the beginning of Litecoin's history, ordinary domestic computers could be used to mine Litecoin. However, as more computers join the network, the complexity of Litecoin's proof-of-work algorithm increases. The more miners there are, the more difficult the algorithm is to solve. This results in a need for increased computer power. Most miners will need to buy ASICs (application-specific integrated circuits) in order to be competitive with other miners and mining pools.

For Litecoin, miners will need to purchase ASICs that are designed to run the scrypt algorithm. This is an algorithm that both Dogecoin and Litecoin use to mine blocks. Because these different coins share the same algorithm, miners mining Litecoin may also mine Dogecoin simultaneously.

Step 2: Download mining software

Once you have a Litecoin mining rig in place, your next step is to download the necessary software that will connect you to the Litecoin blockchain. The software distributes work to miners and adds new blocks to the Litecoin blockchain. There are several free software programs that can be used to mine Litecoin. There are many versions of mining software available that are open source and are user friendly. For more advanced users, there are also many options that allow for a lot of customisation and mining of multiple cryptos simultaneously. These often have no user interface, making them difficult to use for beginners and those unfamiliar with coding.

Step 3: Join a mining pool

Even with the latest hardware and software, solo Litecoin mining would be fruitless for an individual. Individual miners cannot compete with the large mining farms backed by mining companies. Luckily, there are Litecoin mining pools that you can join. Individual miners can combine their computing power with the group to collectively compete. You will need to pay a fee to the operator of the pool and rewards are slightly lower but using a mining pool will ensure rewards remain frequent. Look around and compare pools, as there are different fees and payout structures/frequencies. After selecting an appealing pool, the next step is to start mining and receiving crypto payouts.

Step 4: Start Mining

Once you choose a pool with acceptable fees and payout frequencies, you are ready to start mining Litecoin. Connect your Litecoin mining hardware to a power outlet and complete the connection to the Litecoin blockchain with your chosen software. Next, fill in details regarding your Litecoin wallet address (for payouts to be received) and your chosen mining pool and you're good to go.

How much does Litecoin mining cost?

With increasing competition, the price for profitable Litecoin mining equipment has increased considerably. As large mining farms drive up demand and dominate the mining space, mining rigs have had to become more powerful, which in turn increases the price. While some ASIC miners can start from US$500, a professionally built mining rig can cost upwards of US$15,000. It typically takes over a year before a miner makes that money back.

Once a mining rig is in place, it then has to be powered. Ideally, the cost of electricity is relatively low, but if a mining rig is running every single day, costs can soon start to pile up. The cost of electricity will also vary from country to country.

To stand a chance of a return, every miner should mine Litecoin through a mining pool. However, there is a cost to join a mining pool. The operator of each pool will charge a percentage for use of the network. These pool fees typically range from 1% - 3% and are taken from the mined Litecoin, while the rest is distributed to the pool members.

The final cost to consider is the fee required when selling any crypto. If you intend to sell all the Litecoin that you mine, a fee will need to be paid to the cryptocurrency exchange or broker used to facilitate the transaction. These fees vary between exchanges and can be minimal, but should still be factored into the overall cost.

How much can a Litecoin miner earn?

The amount of Litecoin a miner can earn is dependent on a few factors, some of which were mentioned in the above section on mining costs. Overall, returns must be enough to cover the initial investment in hardware and the cost of electrical power. If they aren't, there is no point in starting to mine LTC.

The best chance for a miner to earn a profit is by joining a mining pool, using a cheap source of electricity and getting low-cost hardware. Of those 3 variables, only joining a mining pool is potentially possible for everyone interested in Litecoin mining. This is because the cost of electricity varies by location, and there is already a lot of competition for mining hardware, which makes it difficult to get it at a low cost.

The final factor that determines how much a Litecoin miner can earn is the cost of Litecoin. The price of LTC must be high enough to cover the costs associated with mining. Otherwise, a miner will likely lose money rather than make money.

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Written by

Zak Killermann

Publisher

Zak Killermann was a technical publisher at Finder who specialized in currencies and investing. Zak’s expertise was in breaking down technical finance concepts into approachable, digestible nuggets of information. See full bio

Co-written by

Tim Falk

Writer

Tim Falk is a freelance writer for Finder. Over the course of his 15-year writing career, he has reported on a wide range of personal finance topics. Whether you're investing in stocks and ETFs, comparing savings accounts or choosing a credit card, Tim wants to make it easier for you to understand. When he’s not staring at his computer, you can usually find him exploring the great outdoors. See full bio