Can I mine Monero on a Raspberry Pi?
Yes, you can mine Monero on a Raspberry Pi, but it is best treated as a learning project, not a way to make money. A Pi 4 or Pi 5 with enough memory can run suitable mining software, though its small processor will do much less work than a modern desktop CPU.
Which Raspberry Pi should you use?
If you already own a Raspberry Pi 4 or Pi 5 with at least 4 GB of RAM, you have a reasonable starting point. RAM is your device’s working memory. An 8 GB model gives you more room for other tasks, but extra memory alone will not make mining faster.
Use a 64-bit operating system, such as a suitable Raspberry Pi OS release. This lets compatible mining software use the processor’s 64-bit features and address the memory it needs.
Older Pis and Pi Zero models are much less practical. Limited memory, slower processors, and software compatibility can turn a simple experiment into a frustrating project. Buying a new Pi specifically for mining is usually hard to justify.
Why a Pi struggles with Monero
Monero uses RandomX, a mining algorithm—the set of calculations miners perform to help secure the network. It favors CPUs, the main processors in computers, but that does not mean every CPU performs well.
RandomX’s fast mode uses a dataset of about 2,080 MB, plus additional memory for its cache, software, and operating system. A 2 GB Pi therefore cannot comfortably run this mode. Light mode uses a 256 MB cache, but sacrifices substantial speed.
Processor cache also matters. This is small, fast memory built into a CPU. Good RandomX performance typically calls for about 2 MB of L3 cache per mining thread, with each thread handling a stream of calculations. Pi 4 and Pi 5 processors do not have the roomy L3 cache found in strong desktop mining CPUs.
That is why four Pi cores do not perform like four powerful desktop cores. Using every available core may not even give you the best results; test different thread counts.
How to try it safely
For a useful experiment, native mining software—software running directly on your operating system—is generally a better choice than a browser tab.
You can look for a reputable miner such as XMRig, but check its current ARM64 support and build instructions. ARM64 is the processor architecture used by a Pi running a 64-bit system. You may need to compile the program, meaning turn its source code into a runnable application.
Before starting:
- Fit a heatsink and preferably a fan. Sustained mining creates heat.
- Use a reliable power supply.
- Back up important files and monitor temperatures.
- Mine only on hardware you own or have permission to use.
Browser mining adds compatibility and performance limits. Do not assume a website’s displayed balance guarantees a real XMR withdrawal.
What earnings should you expect?
Your Pi’s electricity use may be modest, but its mining output is also very small. Measure its hashrate, or calculations per second, then check a live mining calculator using your electricity price and total wall-socket power use.
Mining alone is extremely unlikely to produce a block reward. A pool combines miners’ work and shares rewards, but fees and minimum payouts can make tiny contributions impractical.
The bottom line
Use a Raspberry Pi to learn how Monero mining works, especially if you already have one. For meaningful mining performance, a suitable desktop CPU is a much better fit.
