Hollow Knight needs 9 GB on PC, 1.3 GB on Switch, and extra room for saves, patches, and install unpacking.
Hollow Knight is small beside many modern games, but the right number depends on where you play. PC players should plan around the 9 GB requirement listed on major stores. Switch players need far less room, with Nintendo listing 1.3 GB for the Switch version and 1.5 GB for the Switch 2 version.
The safer move is to leave more free space than the store number. Downloads can unpack during installation, cloud saves need room to sync, and a small patch can stall if your drive is packed tight. If your storage is nearly full, clear room before buying or starting the download so you don’t get stuck halfway through.
What The Storage Number Means Before You Install
A store page size is not always the same as the final folder size you see after installation. Storefronts may compress the download, then expand it on your drive. That is why a game can ask for 9 GB of available space even when the live download looks smaller at first.
On PC, the safest figure comes from the Steam system requirements, which list 9 GB of available space for Windows, macOS, and Linux. The GOG Hollow Knight listing also points PC buyers to a 9 GB storage need, so that number is the right planning target for computer installs.
Download Size And Install Space Are Different
A smaller download bar can fool you. Some launchers pull a compressed package, then create larger game files during setup. Others keep temporary chunks until the install has checked itself. That is normal, and it is the main reason a nearly full drive can fail even when the game looks small.
It also helps to separate “will it fit?” from “will it install cleanly?” Hollow Knight may not need much room, but a packed SSD can still cause slow copying, failed updates, or a restart loop in the launcher. Give the game spare room, then you can forget about storage and play.
Why PC Uses More Space Than Switch
The PC build has to account for multiple operating systems, store packaging, file layouts, and hardware setups. Switch builds are made for a fixed device line, so the installed package can be tighter. That doesn’t mean the Switch version is missing the core game. The Nintendo Hollow Knight page lists the game file size and states that the digital release includes the free content packs.
For a normal player, the takeaway is plain: PC needs the bigger buffer, Switch is friendlier to small cards, and both versions are light enough to keep installed between long play sessions. The game’s size is modest, but the smart move is to plan for the install process, not just the finished folder.
How Much Storage Does Hollow Knight Take up? For Each Device
Use the table below as a planning sheet before downloading. The listed number is the store requirement or store file size where available. The safer free-space number gives you breathing room for unpacking, saves, and small updates.
| Platform Or Store | Listed Size Or Requirement | Free Space To Keep Open |
|---|---|---|
| Windows PC On Steam | 9 GB available space | 11-12 GB |
| Mac On Steam | 9 GB available space | 11-12 GB |
| Linux Or SteamOS | 9 GB available space | 11-12 GB |
| GOG PC Version | 9 GB available space | 11-12 GB |
| Steam Deck | Uses the PC build | 11-12 GB |
| Nintendo Switch | 1.3 GB game file size | 2 GB |
| Nintendo Switch 2 | 1.5 GB game file size | 2.5 GB |
| External Drive Or MicroSD | Same game size, slower media varies | Keep several GB clear |
What Can Change The Final Install Size
Hollow Knight’s number is steady, yet your device may show a slightly different figure. File systems count space in different ways. Some launchers keep temporary install files for a bit. Cloud sync folders and save data can sit outside the main game folder, which makes the total feel less tidy.
The free content packs also matter. Hollow Knight now ships as a fuller package than the earliest PC release. Hidden Dreams, The Grimm Troupe, Lifeblood, and Godmaster add bosses, quests, music, refinements, and extra late-game tasks. That content is already baked into modern store installs, so you don’t need to reserve a separate pile of storage for those packs.
Storage Details That Players Often Miss
- Save files are tiny: They won’t move the number much, but don’t delete them when clearing space.
- Updates need working room: A patch can fail if your drive has no spare room left.
- Cloud sync may duplicate small files: It adds little space, but it can make folder checks confusing.
- MicroSD cards can slow transfers: A cheap card may make the download feel sluggish, even for a small game.
How To Free Room Without Deleting Good Saves
Start with large items you can restore later. Old videos, unused demos, capture folders, and games you haven’t opened in months are safer targets than save folders. On Switch, archive games instead of deleting save data. On Steam, use the storage manager so you can move larger games to another drive before touching Hollow Knight.
If you play on a laptop with a small SSD, don’t run it down to the last gigabyte. Windows, macOS, and Linux all behave better with some drive space left open. Hollow Knight itself is light, but a crowded drive can make downloads, shader files, and system tasks feel clunky.
| Storage Task | Best Place To Start | Why It Helps |
|---|---|---|
| Clear PC space | Old game installs | Frees many GB at once |
| Clear Switch space | Archive unused software | Keeps save data on the system |
| Reduce clutter | Video captures and screenshots | Removes files you can back up |
| Move PC games | Steam storage manager | Shifts large folders without reinstalling |
| Prepare a microSD card | Leave spare card space | Helps downloads and updates finish cleanly |
Best Storage Choice For Smooth Play
For PC, install Hollow Knight on the same drive where you keep most games, unless that drive is nearly full. An SSD is nicer for launch times, but the game is not a massive load-heavy title. A hard drive can run it fine if the rest of your PC meets the listed specs.
For Switch, the built-in storage handles Hollow Knight easily. If you use a microSD card, pick one from a known brand and leave free room beyond the listed 1.3 GB or 1.5 GB. Tiny games still benefit from stable write speed during downloads and patches.
Final Space Check Before Downloading
Before you press install, use this short check so the download goes cleanly:
- Keep 11-12 GB free for a PC install.
- Keep at least 2 GB free for Nintendo Switch.
- Keep about 2.5 GB free for the Switch 2 version.
- Back up or archive old games before deleting save folders.
- Leave extra room if your launcher is already downloading updates for other games.
So, Hollow Knight is an easy fit for most systems. The real trick is not the base size; it’s leaving enough headroom so the install, patches, and saves can do their job without errors. If your PC has 12 GB free or your Switch has a couple of open gigabytes, you’re set for Hallownest.
References & Sources
- Steam.“Hollow Knight.”Used for PC storage requirements across Windows, macOS, and Linux.
- GOG.“Hollow Knight.”Used to verify the PC store listing and included content notes.
- Nintendo.“Hollow Knight.”Used for Switch and Switch 2 game file sizes and content pack notes.