How do you run a bitcoin node?

To run a bitcoin node, you install node software on a computer, give it enough disk space and an internet connection, and leave it running while it downloads and verifies the whole blockchain. For what a node is and why it matters, see what is a node.

What are the bitcoin node requirements?

Bitcoin.org's full node guide lists a recent Windows, macOS or Linux computer with at least 2 GB of RAM and an upload speed of at least 400 kilobits per second. It says the full blockchain takes more than 750 GB, so a large, fast drive matters. The Bisq wiki recommends an SSD, since constant writes can wear out mechanical disks.

Bandwidth can add up. Bitcoin.org notes a typical node may upload 200 GB or more a month, and the first sync downloads the entire chain. It suggests running the node at least six hours a day, and longer is better.

How do you run a bitcoin node at home?

Most people start with Bitcoin Core, the software River says the vast majority of nodes use. The basic steps are:

1. Download Bitcoin Core from bitcoincore.org. As of October 2026 its download page lists version 31.1 for Windows, macOS and Linux.
2. Verify the file. The page calls this optional but highly recommended, using the published SHA256SUMS file and developer signatures.
3. Install and start the program, then choose where to store the data.
4. Wait for the initial block download. Bitcoin.org warns it can take days and uses heavy bandwidth and processing power, and it can be paused and resumed.

To help other nodes, you can allow incoming connections on port 8333, which may require setting up port forwarding on your router. Some people run alternative software such as Bitcoin Knots, which follows the same steps.

What is a pruned bitcoin node?

A pruned node verifies the entire blockchain but then deletes older block data it no longer needs. Setting the prune option, with a minimum of 550 MiB, cuts storage from over 750 GB to around 7 GB, according to bitcoin.org. The trade-off is that some features stop working, including a full transaction index, wallet rescans and importing old wallets.

How do you run a bitcoin node on a Raspberry Pi?

River describes the Raspberry Pi as one of the most popular devices for nodes. You add an external drive and a microSD card, install node software, and keep it powered on. Packages such as Umbrel and myNode bundle Bitcoin Core with extras such as Lightning and an app store, and the RaspiBolt guide walks through a manual setup on Debian Linux. The Bisq wiki calls a 1 TB drive the bare minimum and suggests 2 TB to allow for growth, and it notes that older Pi models perform poorly.

Setups like RaspiBolt add an Electrum server so wallets, including hardware wallets, can connect to your own node, so balances and payments are checked by software you control. That pairs well with a hardware wallet.