11 Feb, 2026
2 minutes
Monero is still considered one of the most popular cryptocurrencies, especially in terms of its privacy, and the interest in knowing how to mine Monero is still on the rise in 2026. Unlike other popular cryptocurrencies, which require special equipment, Monero is a cryptocurrency that seeks to be ASIC-resistant, making it accessible to anyone.
In this guide, we shall discuss Monero Mining for PCs, laptops, and smartphones, as well as profitability, hardware, and software that one can use. If you are interested in Monero Mining on Windows 10, or if you are a curious soul trying to know more about Monero Mining using GPU, or maybe you would like to know how long does it take to mine 1 Monero, then this is for you.
It uses a proof of work approach called RandomX, which is optimized for CPU, but - unlike some cryptocurrencies that require a rather pricey mining setup - home computers can now be leveraged to help secure the system, though results vary in proportion to equipment and electricity prices.
Before one goes ahead and starts, it is vital to know what Monero mining is all about, what equipment is needed, and whether it is profitable. We will begin with the fundamentals of the process.
To understand how mining Monero is done, you need first to know what really miners do. Monero is a Proof of Work-based cryptocurrency, which means that computers compete with one another to solve a mathematical puzzle. When a miner is able to solve a puzzle, he essentially verifies a block of transactions in return for a reward, which is in Monero.
Monero utilizes a random X algorithm that is specifically designed and optimized for CPU mining. This is one of the key reasons why many people are searching for a means to mine Monero on their PC or even on old machines, given that the Monero system is designed to allow everyone to mine successfully.
Essentially, mining has three major components:
Calculations performed by your hardware CPU or GPU
Mining software is what links your device to the Monero network
You may mine by yourself or join a pool for shared rewards
With each calculation conducted by your computer as it processes the hashes, it is equivalent to attempting to solve a challenge in the world of cryptography. With your hash rate, the likelihood of receiving rewards increases.
While in the case of Bitcoin, mining is dominated by industrial-scale farms, Monero's algorithm prevents powerful hardware from holding too big an advantage, and as a result, Monero is one of a small number of large cryptocurrencies for which, in 2026, it is still possible for a new user to learn to solo mine Monero or how to solo mine Monero work.
Once you grasp the idea of mining Monero, the next step would be to decide whether to mine alone or to use a mining pool. Although both contribute to network security, each option dramatically varies from the other.
If you're talking about solo mining, you do this by yourself and if you manage to create a new block, you will get the full reward for that block.
Pool mining is simply sharing the hash rate together with other miners to be rewarded in a proportional manner.
Solo payouts are rare, especially without high-end hardware
Pool payouts are smaller but more frequent and predictable
Solo mining attracts users who want to learn how to mine Monero on their own, particularly those who want full decentralization and want to run their own full node. However, with the increased network hash rate of the Monero network, it may take months or years to successfully mine on your own with average hardware.
The most preferred option for many interested in learning how to mine Monero money on a PC is pool mining. For instance, with a mining pool, you will access consistent rewards through your contribution instead of relying on a rare win by yourself.
In the year 2026, pool mining persists as a viable option for home miners, whereas solo mining has largely become the domain of enthusiasts and those with substantial hash power.
Mining Monero in 2026 is possible, but it depends on a number of essential factors. Some individuals, seeking answers on how to mine Monero and how long does it take to mine 1 Monero, are usually astonished to realize that its profitability is subject to change depending on various factors.
Hash rate: The higher the capability of your CPU or GPU, the more hashes you can compute per second
Electricity cost: High electricity rates can rapidly eliminate any profits earned
Mining method: Pool mining leads to regular income, while lack of profit is a feature of solo mining
Network difficulty: The more those who mine, the less the rewards
XMR market price: Profitability varies with the price of Monero
Many home miners interested in ways to mine Monero on a PC or ways to mine Monero with Windows 10 have also found that, although CPU mining may bring profit, it can also bring profit if electricity costs are low. Profit of substantial value, however, might be hard to achieve with current hardware and electricity costs.
As to the duration of time it takes to mine 1 Monero XMR, this will essentially be based on your hash rates and the overall pool of mining power in the system. For the average home user, it can take months to mine 1 XMR in a pool and even longer when trying to mine solo.
Selecting the proper equipment for use is a fundamental aspect when learning about Monero mining. This is because Monero utilizes the RandomX algorithm to ensure CPU mining is preferred compared to other equipment such as ASIC miners. This has made it easier to mine Monero since users can do so from their computers, and therefore, there has been research on how to mine Monero on PC or how to mine Monero on Windows 10.
CPUs: The best processors for running RandomX can be found in modern computers, which use processors with multiple cores
GPUs: Still usable, but generally not more efficient than CPUs for Monero
Laptops: Possible, but heat and wear may limit lifespan
ASICs: Not effective due to the Monero design
Typically, high-performance desktop CPUs within fairly recent generations offer the best performance in terms of hash rate. The more cores, and consequently, the larger cache sizes, are generally responsible for increased mining capability. For those that want to know how to mine Monero with GPU, technically, it is possible, but GPUs are no longer efficient mining solutions.
Windows PCs are most commonly used by beginners
Efficiency seems slightly improved on Linux systems
Mining is possible on Android devices, but the profit is minimal
iPhones cannot be used because of system limitations
If your topic of interest includes learning about how to mine Monero on Iphone, be aware that such a practice yields relatively little profit and can also cause devices to overheat.
In 2026, a modern desktop CPU is arguably still the most accessible solution for individuals who want to find out how to mine Monero on Android or some other way.
Once a decision has been made on the hardware to use for mining Monero currency, the next part of learning how to mine Monero involves learning how to use the mining software required for the process. The mining software essentially connects a computer to a Monero mining network and conducts hash calculations to qualify for a share of a block reward.
XMRig: The most widely used and most efficient CPU/GPU miner for Monero;
Monero GUI Wallet Miner: Pre-built miner within the official Monero wallets for new users;
SRBMiner: Another high-performance mining tool supporting CPU mining
CSMiner: Lightweight version for lower-end systems
In cases where a user is searching for how to mine Monero on Windows 10 operating system, the best option for them would be the XMRig miner. This is because it is the best miner for a variety of reasons, including high performance and customization.
Windows: Most User-Friendly with Most Miner Support
Linux: Often gives Better Performance and Stability
Android: Limited mining apps are available, and earnings are low
iPhone: iOS restrictions for real Monero mining apps
If you're researching how to mine Monero using Android, it should be noted that, although some apps exist for Android, the hash rate is very low, and it can overheat your device. As far as mining Monero with an iPhone, due to the restrictions in place with iOS, it is not possible.
For an average person, the best option to make the most of learning how to mine Monero is to join a mining pool. In a mining pool, the combined hashing power of all the individuals involved is utilized, making it more likely for them to win blocks.
Pool fees: Usually 0.5%-2% of rewards.
Payout structure: PPS, PPLNS, or similar reward systems
Server location: Closer servers would minimize latency as well as rejected shares
Minimum payout: Lower thresholds increase the frequency of payouts
Pool size: Larger pools discover blocks, smaller ones favor decentralization
If you are wondering how long does it take to mine 1 Monero, the pool selected could affect the time it takes to receive reward coins; large pools mean faster rewards, though smaller pools can introduce variance but assist with decentralization.
While this section will talk about pools, if one is interested in reading about how to solo mine Monero, solo mining requires running a full node and then connecting to it from the mining software. This gives full rewards but has a very low chance except when one has some significant hash strength. For the average home miner with average CPUs, pool mining will remain the way forward, at least until 2026.
Yes, Monero mining is possible. The RandomX algorithm has been built to ensure that it is still ASIC-resistant, and because of this, anyone can mine Monero using regular CPUs. While it is now competitive, it is possible for anyone to learn to mine Monero.
Yes, many people are able to do it using their desktop computers. Multi-core processors are best at it, and this explains why many people are searching how to mine Monero on PC and how to mine Monero on Windows 10. Note, however, that profitability depends on prices and efficiency.
It is possible, though it is also partly dependent upon your setup. The price of electricity, computer performance, as well as Monero's worth, also determine profitability returns. For most miners, it is considered an accumulate-over-time system rather than quick-income.
No. Monero has been designed in order to prevent ASIC mining. CPU mining is best and this explains why Monero manages to remain decentralized.
Although it is not impossible to do so through a GPU, CPUs are more efficient, especially for the RandomX system, which is used to mine Monero. Those looking to research ways to mine Monero using a GPU may see that it is not the most cost-efficient means of mining in 2026.
