League of Legends
What Is CS (Creep Score) in League of Legends?
The number of minions and monsters you have last-hit, the main way to measure farming in League of Legends.
What does CS mean in League of Legends?
CS (creep score) is the number of minions and jungle monsters you have killed with the last hit. Each minion counts as 1 CS and a full monster camp counts as 4. Since last-hitting is how you earn their gold, CS is the most common way to measure how well a player farms.
Why CS matters
Minions are the most reliable source of gold in the game. A player who takes almost every minion in lane can out-buy an opponent with more kills, which is why strong players treat CS as seriously as fights.
Only the champion who lands the killing blow gets the gold. Damaging a minion without finishing it gives you nothing, so timing your auto attack or ability is the core skill.
CS per minute
Because game length varies, players compare CS per minute (CS/min) instead of the total. It is the standard benchmark for laners and especially bot laners, whose job is to scale with gold. Junglers and supports naturally have different numbers, so compare yourself with players in the same role.
How to improve your CS
- Practice last-hitting in a custom game with no runes or items until the timing feels automatic.
- Manage the wave. Good wave management keeps minions where you can farm safely.
- Catch side waves in the mid game instead of grouping with nothing to do.
- Do not drop CS to chase kills; a whole wave is often worth more than a risky trade.
Want someone to review your farming? Our League of Legends coaches show you where you lose CS.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do jungle monsters count as CS?
Yes. Jungle monsters add to your creep score, with a full camp counting as 4 CS.
Do kills or wards count as CS?
No. CS only counts minions and monsters, not champions, turrets or wards.