Run a full node
Why run a full node?
A Litecoin full node independently verifies blocks and transactions instead of relying on a third party. Running one improves your own verification, adds another peer to the network, and helps keep Litecoin decentralized. A normal node makes outbound connections automatically; accepting inbound connections is optional.
What a full node does
Litecoin Core downloads, validates, and stores its own copy of the Litecoin blockchain. Once synchronized, it verifies new blocks and transactions under Litecoin's consensus rules, broadcasts your transactions, and can share data with other peers. The desktop app also includes wallet features, but you do not need to keep funds in it to support the network.
Current software and storage
Updated August 2026. Litecoin Core 0.21.4 is the latest stable release. The Litecoin blockchain is about 231.5 GB and continues to grow. A 500 GB SSD is the practical choice for an archival node; allow at least 300 GB of free space today. A modern multi-core processor, an SSD, stable internet, and a connection without a restrictive data cap will make the initial synchronization much easier.
How to get started
1. Download Litecoin Core only from litecoin.org or the official litecoin-project GitHub releases page. Confirm that you are downloading the current stable release and verify the published file hashes or signature when possible.
2. If you already use Litecoin Core as a wallet, shut it down fully and back up wallet.dat before upgrading or changing the data directory. Never share a wallet file, private key, passphrase, or recovery words.
3. Install Litecoin Core for Windows, macOS, or Linux, select a data directory on your SSD, and let the initial synchronization finish. Sync time varies with your processor, storage, bandwidth, and available peers; it can take many hours or longer.
4. Keep Litecoin Core updated and allow it to shut down cleanly. You can monitor sync and peer activity from Window > Information and Window > Network Traffic.
Accepting inbound connections is optional. A normal node verifies the chain using outbound peers. Advanced operators who want to serve more peers may forward TCP port 9333 only to the node and create a narrowly scoped firewall allow rule. Do not disable firewall protections, expose Remote Desktop, or reuse a supplied default password.
Limited storage? Pruning reduces disk use by deleting older block files after validation. Pruned mode is incompatible with txindex, and returning to an archival node later requires downloading the blockchain again.
Official Litecoin Core resources
Download Litecoin Core only from litecoin.org. Review current releases, release notes, and verification hashes at github.com/litecoin-project/litecoin/releases. Advanced operators can find the official Tor configuration guide in the litecoin-project/litecoin repository.