How to Mine Chia Network

July 22, 2025 1:53 pm

Chia Network (XCH) is a special kind of cryptocurrency that lets people earn rewards by using free space on their hard drives. Unlike Bitcoin, which uses a lot of power for mining, Chia offers a greener option. It was launched in 2021 by Bram Cohen, the creator of BitTorrent, to solve the problems of high energy use in crypto.

Since its launch, Chia has gained attention for using storage instead of heavy computing, making it a more eco-friendly way to take part in blockchain technology. This method of mining is known as “farming,” but it follows the same reward principles.

Chia works on a unique model called Proof-of-Space and Proof-of-Time. These systems allow users to prove they’ve set aside hard drive space, and that time has passed, without using much electricity. The Proof-of-Space model stores cryptographic data, while Proof-of-Time uses special nodes called Timelords to keep track of time. Together, they make Chia both fast and secure. In this article, you will learn how to mine Chia step by step using your own storage space.

Is Chia Network Mining Profitable?

Chia Network mining, also called farming, can be profitable, but it depends on a few key factors. You need large amounts of storage space, low power costs, and a good farming setup. The more storage you have, the higher your chances of earning rewards in XCH tokens.

In 2025, the block reward is 1 XCH per block, and with 100TB of space, you could earn around 15–20 XCH per month. That’s about $150–$200 monthly. However, profits may change as XCH prices go up or down and as more users join the network.

Chia farming uses less power than other crypto mining methods, making it more eco-friendly. But the initial hardware setup can cost $1,200 or more. If you’re prepared to invest in storage and want a greener mining option, Chia can be a smart choice.

How to Mine Chia Network?

Chia Network SV can not be traditionally mined. However, the XCH mining process is also known as farming. It requires specific setup steps and hardware configurations. Follow these key recommendations to start efficiently.

Install the Chia Blockchain Software

First, visit the official Chia Network website and download the latest version of the Chia Blockchain client that matches your operating system.

Supported Platforms: Windows, macOS, or Linux.
Installation Tip: During installation, your system may prompt for permission due to a new code signing certificate. Allow the request to proceed.
Once installed, launch the software to continue with your Chia setup.

Generate Your Private Key

When you open the Chia client for the first time, it will ask you to generate a new private key. This key secures your wallet and farming rewards.

You will receive a 24-word mnemonic phrase.
Write these words down in the exact order and store them securely offline:
- On paper
- On a USB drive (not connected to the internet)
- In an encrypted file

Losing your seed phrase means losing access to your Chia funds permanently.

Once you’ve saved your key, click “Next” to enter the Chia Network GUI.

Synchronise the Blockchain

After launching the GUI, your system will begin syncing with other nodes on the Chia Network.

Time Required: Syncing can take up to two days, depending on your internet speed and hardware.
You may proceed with other setup steps, but your wallet must be fully synced before creating a PlotNFT or farming effectively.

Obtain Your First XCH (Optional for Pooling)

To create a PlotNFT for joining a pool, you need a small amount of XCH to cover the smart contract fee.

Get XCH from a Faucet: Visit the Chia Network website or community resources to access the faucet.
How to Receive:
- Navigate to the Wallet tab in your Chia client.
- Copy your wallet address.
- Paste it into the faucet website to receive a small amount of XCH.

Create Your PlotNFT (for Pooling)

Once your wallet is synced and funded, you can create a PlotNFT for joining a Chia farming pool.

Go to the “Pool” tab in the Chia client.
Click on “Connect to pool”.
Paste the pool URL (e.g., https://xch.spacefarmers.io/).
Wait a few minutes while the NFT is registered on the blockchain.

Your PlotNFT now links your future plots to the selected pool.

Create Your Plots

After joining a pool, head to the “Plots” tab to start creating plots. This is the core step of Chia farming.

Click “Add Plot” and configure the following:
- Temporary Folder: Choose a fast SSD with at least 250 GiB of free space.
- Final Directory: Select an HDD with a minimum of 110 GiB available.
- Plot Size: Use k32 (≈101.4 GiB), which is the minimum eligible size for mainnet.
- PlotNFT Selection: Choose the NFT you created earlier from the dropdown.
Start Plotting: Click to begin. Plotting may take 4 to 14+ hours depending on your system’s CPU and RAM.
Advanced Options (for experienced users):
- Explore tools like madMAx and BladeBit.
- Use these tools to enable parallel plotting or plot compression, which enhances speed and space efficiency.

Start Farming

After plots are completed and saved in the final directory, the Chia software begins farming them automatically.

Keep your computer online as much as possible to stay connected to the network.
Farming requires minimal power but consistent uptime to maintain eligibility for block rewards.

How Does Chia Network Mining Work?

Chia Network uses an energy-efficient method called farming instead of traditional crypto mining. It relies on hard drive space, not processing power.

Proof of Space and Time Explained

Chia Network runs on a unique consensus mechanism called Proof of Space and Time, which replaces energy-heavy computations with storage-based participation.

Proof of Space: Farmers reserve unused disk space to store special files called plots. These plots contain cryptographic data that gets checked during network challenges. The more space you allocate, the more plots you can generate, which increases your odds of earning block rewards.
Proof of Time: To strengthen security, Chia includes a time component. It ensures that even if someone tries to manipulate stored data, the network remains stable by validating block times. This creates a fair and tamper-proof system.

This two-part model significantly reduces energy usage and opens up participation to those who don’t own specialised mining rigs.

Eco-Friendly Mining Alternative

Chia’s approach avoids the high electricity consumption seen in Proof-of-Work (PoW) networks like Bitcoin. Since hard drives use far less energy than powerful GPUs or ASIC miners, Chia makes crypto farming more sustainable.

You don’t need high-end hardware to farm Chia. With a decent CPU, SSD, and several terabytes of storage, anyone can get started. This makes Chia more accessible for regular users and environmentally conscious investors.

Understanding Plotting and Farming

Chia farming has two stages: plotting and farming. Each plays a crucial role in the reward process.

Plotting: This is the setup phase. Users create plot files using their CPU and temporary storage like SSDs. Each k32 plot, the standard size, takes up about 108.8 GB and requires fast storage to complete efficiently. Although the process is CPU-intensive, it happens only once per plot.
Farming: Once the plots are generated, users store them on HDDs. These drives don’t require high speed but need lots of capacity. The Chia software then scans each plot to see if it matches a challenge issued by the network. When a match is found, the user earns the block reward.

Farmers do not compete using speed or computational strength. Instead, their chances depend on how much plot space they have and how many plots match the network’s random challenges.

Storage-Based Mining for Greater Inclusivity

Chia farming shifts the focus from expensive hardware to readily available storage solutions. Users can repurpose existing drives or invest in cost-effective HDDs to expand their farming capacity.

This model opens the door for more participants around the world, reducing the risk of centralised mining farms taking control. It also offers a quieter, cooler, and cheaper way to earn crypto rewards while supporting a greener blockchain network.

How Long Does It Take to Mine One Chia Network?

Mining, or farming, one Chia (XCH) coin does not have a set time. It works like a lottery where your chances improve with more storage space. The more plots you have, the better your odds. A single plot has a very small chance of winning, so farmers need many plots to increase their success.

The size of the total Chia network also affects your farming time. If the network space grows, your share becomes smaller, making it harder to win. For example, with 10 terabytes of plots, you might expect to win in 3 to 6 months. If you have 100 terabytes, the time could drop to 2 or 3 weeks.

You can use a Chia calculator to estimate your time to win. It helps you see if your storage setup is good enough. Before you start farming, think about your storage space and costs. By planning carefully, you can improve your chances of earning Chia more often.

Also Read: Where to buy Bitcoin SV

How Difficult Is It to Mine Chia Network?

Mining or Farming Chia, is not very hard, but it’s not plug-and-play either. Creating plots is the most demanding part. It needs fast SSDs, plenty of RAM, and a good CPU. Plotting can be slow, and it can wear out drives if you are not careful.

Once you finish plotting, farming is much easier. It uses little energy and needs minimal upkeep. You just keep your system running and make sure it stays synced to the network. This makes farming cheaper and simpler over time.

However, luck plays a big role in farming rewards. Solo farmers might wait weeks or even months to win anything. The size of the Chia network also matters. The more storage space you add, the better your chances of earning Chia coins regularly.

What Do You Need to Mine Chia Network?

Chia Network farming works differently from traditional crypto mining. Instead of using powerful computers, it relies on unused storage space. To start farming Chia, you’ll need the right hardware, software, and possibly a mining pool. Here’s a complete breakdown.

Hardware Requirements

Here’s a list of hardware you need to farm Chia Network:

Hard Disk Drives (HDDs)

HDDs are the main tool for farming Chia. Once a plot is created, it is stored here long-term. These drives offer cheap storage per terabyte, which helps build larger farms at a lower cost. The more plots stored, the better your chances of earning rewards.

Solid State Drives (SSDs)

SSDs help during the plotting phase, which is temporary but requires speed. A good SSD, especially an NVMe model, speeds up the plot creation process. However, plotting uses lots of write cycles, so consumer SSDs may wear out quickly if used too much.

Processor (CPU)

Plotting needs a strong CPU with multiple cores. The more cores, the quicker you can create plots. A high-end CPU like Ryzen 9 performs best, but even an average one can still work, just slower. CPUs don’t affect long-term farming, only plotting speed.

RAM (Memory)

At least 4 GB RAM is needed for farming, but more RAM helps during plotting. If you’re making many plots at once, upgrading RAM can save time. It’s not the most important part, but it boosts overall speed.

Graphics Card (GPU)

You don’t need a GPU to farm Chia. But if you’re using compressed plots, a GPU can make plotting faster and save space. This is optional and useful for advanced users trying to optimise storage.

Software Requirements

This is the official software from the Chia Network. It acts as your wallet, node, and plot manager. You must install this client to begin farming. It lets you track plots, earn rewards, and stay connected to the network.

Optional: Join a Mining Pool

Joining a mining pool increases your chances of earning steady rewards. Instead of farming alone, you contribute your plots to a group. When the pool earns Chia, you get a share based on your contribution. This helps reduce the time between rewards.

Summary of Requirements:

In short, to start Chia farming, you need a computer, sufficient hard drive space, and a reliable internet connection. Here’s a summary:

Component	Purpose	Recommended	Minimum
Hard Drives	Storing completed plots for farming	High-capacity HDDs (4TB+)	A single HDD with at least 110 GB free space
SSD	Temporary storage for plotting	A high-endurance M.2 NVMe SSD (512 GB+)	Any SSD for faster plotting than an HDD
CPU	Plotting	A multi-core processor (e.g., Intel Core i7/i9, Ryzen 7/9)	A modern 64-bit CPU (most computers from the last decade)
RAM	System memory for plotting and farming	8 GB or more	4 GB
GPU	Not required for farming, but helpful for plotting and compressed plots	NVIDIA GPU with 8GB+ VRAM for compressed plotting	Not needed for uncompressed plots
Software	Managing your farm	Chia Blockchain Client	Chia Blockchain Client

Top Wallets to Store Your Chia Network

Storing Chia (XCH) securely requires choosing a wallet that supports Chia Network’s Proof of Space and Time technology. A good wallet not only ensures safety but also allows easy access to your coins and farming operations. Below are the most reliable wallets to manage your Chia assets efficiently.

Evergreen Wallet

Evergreen Wallet supports native Chia farming and storage, offering a seamless experience for users with high-performance hardware. It ensures direct integration with plotting tools, allowing better control of farmed rewards. With a focus on decentralisation and security, Evergreen remains a preferred choice for dedicated Chia farmers and large-scale operators.

Frodo Wallet

Frodo Wallet is a lightweight and intuitive option for managing Chia tokens. It simplifies wallet operations for new users while maintaining strong encryption standards. Frodo allows smooth syncing with Chia nodes and offers an easy-to-use interface that suits everyday users looking for basic farming and transaction functionalities.

Ozone Wallet

Ozone Wallet is built for efficiency and speed within the Chia ecosystem. It supports full-node capabilities and lets users manage their farming plots with complete transparency. The wallet also prioritises user privacy and provides reliable tools to track rewards, manage coins, and perform secure XCH transactions with ease.

Pawket Wallet

Pawket Wallet offers mobile support for Chia users who prefer managing assets on the go. It balances accessibility with strong security by giving users full control over private keys. The wallet supports Chia token transfers, viewing balances, and interacting with decentralised applications in a simple and clean interface.

Sage Wallet

Sage Wallet is a feature-rich application tailored for serious Chia users. It offers integration with farming tools, robust backup options, and advanced customisation for managing multiple addresses. Sage focuses on performance and reliability, making it ideal for users who need a comprehensive platform to oversee their XCH holdings.

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Frequently Asked Questions

How Can I Make Plotting for Chia More Efficient?

To make plotting for Chia more efficient, you should focus on optimising your hardware and managing resources wisely. Using an NVMe SSD exclusively for temporary files can speed up the process, while carefully controlling the number of plots running in parallel prevents overloading your CPU and RAM. Adjusting thread and bucket settings in the official plotter, and scheduling large batches during off-peak hours can also help make the plotting process smoother and more time-efficient.

Which Tools Can Help Simplify Managing My Chia Plots?

Several tools can simplify the management of your Chia plots by automating and optimising the process. Plotman is excellent for scheduling and rotating plots automatically, reducing manual work. The official chiapos plotter offers advanced customisation options, while madMAx Plotter delivers high-speed plotting for powerful systems. Visual tools like ChiaPlotProf help you analyse and refine your plotting strategy, making the entire process more manageable and efficient for farmers with different levels of experience.

How Can I Increase the Longevity of My Plotting SSDs?

To ensure your plotting SSDs last longer, it’s essential to manage write cycles carefully. Leaving 10–20% of the SSD unpartitioned provides room for over-provisioning, which reduces wear. Choosing high-endurance SSDs rated for substantial terabytes written can also extend their lifespan. Additionally, disabling unnecessary operating system writes like pagefiles or hibernation on plotting drives, and promptly transferring completed plots to HDDs, will help minimise wear and preserve your SSDs for longer plotting activity.

How Can I Effectively Monitor My Chia Farming Setup?

The official Chia GUI or command-line tools like chia farm summary allow quick status checks. For deeper insights, consider deploying Prometheus and Grafana dashboards to track key metrics, such as plot counts and winning rates. Setting up custom scripts or email alerts for issues like node disconnections, disk space shortages, or pool errors can help maintain consistent performance without surprises.

What Recurring Costs Should I Expect Beyond Initial Equipment?

Beyond the cost of purchasing your hardware, ongoing expenses can add up when farming Chia. You’ll need to pay for electricity to keep HDDs spinning constantly and SSDs active during plotting. Drives will eventually wear out and need replacement, particularly those reaching their terabytes written limits. Additional costs might include cooling systems if you operate a large-scale setup, as well as internet bandwidth expenses if farming across multiple remote sites for better reliability and decentralisation.