Last updated: October 16, 2026
Monero (XMR) can still be mined at home in 2026 with an ordinary CPU, because its RandomX algorithm is designed to resist ASICs and GPUs — but at typical household electricity prices it is usually break-even at best, so most people mine for decentralization and no-KYC coins rather than profit. The network issues about 432 XMR per day (0.6 XMR every ~2 minutes) forever. If you just want Monero, a no-KYC swap like BTC → XMR is faster and usually cheaper; if you want to help the network, mine on P2Pool.
- RandomX CPU-friendly algorithm
- 0.6 XMR per block, permanently
- ~432 XMR issued per day
- 0% fee on P2Pool
Is Monero mining profitable in 2026?
Profit depends on three numbers: your CPU's hashrate, your electricity price and the XMR price. A high-end desktop CPU produces very roughly 10–25 kH/s while drawing 100–200 W. At cheap electricity (or with solar), that can earn a small positive amount; at average European or US home prices it often only covers the power bill. Use a mining calculator with your exact numbers before buying hardware — never buy hardware just to mine.
Mining options at a glance
| Option | Payouts | Fees | Decentralization | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| P2Pool (main or mini) | Directly to your wallet, frequent | 0% | High — no pool operator | Most home miners |
| Centralized pool | From the pool after a threshold | ~0.5–2% | Low — operator controls blocks | Simplicity |
| Solo mining | Whole block reward, rarely | 0% | High | Large hashrate only |
| Swapping instead | Instant XMR | ~0.5–1% spread | — | Anyone who just wants XMR |
Why P2Pool matters
When a few centralized pools control most of the hashrate, they could censor or reorder transactions. In 2025 one large mining operation briefly claimed more than half of Monero's hashrate and caused chain reorganizations, which pushed many miners toward P2Pool: a decentralized pool where every miner runs their own node and receives payouts directly on-chain, with no operator and no fees. P2Pool "mini" is built for small hashrates. Running P2Pool requires a full or pruned Monero node — see how to run a Monero node.
How to mine Monero at home (step by step)
- Create a Monero wallet and copy your primary address — see best Monero wallets.
- Run a Monero node (monerod), pruned is fine.
- Start P2Pool with your wallet address; use the "mini" sidechain for a single PC.
- Run XMRig (open-source CPU miner) pointed at your local P2Pool.
- Tune it: enable huge pages, keep temperatures safe, and mine only when electricity is cheap or when the PC is on anyway.
- Back up your seed — payouts go straight to your wallet. See seed backup.
Mining vs buying Monero
Mining gives you "virgin" XMR with no purchase history and no exchange involved — attractive for privacy, though Monero hides transaction history anyway (see is Monero traceable). Swapping is faster: you get XMR in 10–30 minutes at market price with no account on BTC → XMR or USDT → XMR. Many people do both: mine a little for the network, swap for larger amounts. Fees for spending your mined XMR are tiny — see Monero transaction fees.
Frequently asked questions
Can you still mine Monero with a CPU?
Yes. Monero's RandomX algorithm is optimized for general-purpose CPUs, so a normal desktop or laptop can mine it. GPUs are much less efficient on RandomX.
How much Monero can I mine per day?
It depends on your share of the network hashrate. A single desktop typically earns a small fraction of an XMR per day; use a calculator with your hashrate and the current network hashrate.
Is Monero mining profitable?
At average home electricity prices it is often break-even. It becomes profitable with cheap or free power. Many miners do it to support decentralization rather than for profit.
Does mining Monero require KYC?
No. P2Pool and solo mining pay directly to your wallet with no account. Some centralized pools ask for an email, but not ID.
Will Monero mining ever stop?
No. Since 2022 Monero has a permanent tail emission of 0.6 XMR per block, so miners are always paid and the network stays secure.
Want XMR now instead of mining? Swap BTC → XMR, LTC → XMR or see best Monero exchanges. No account, no ID, no logs.