Let R be a unital ring, let E be a directed graph and recall that the Leavitt path algebra LR(E) carries a natural-gradation. We show that LR(E) is strongly-graded if and only if E is row-finite, has no sink, and satisfies Condition (Y). Our result generalizes a recent result by Clark, Hazrat and Rigby, and the proof is short and self-contained. © 2022 World Scientific Publishing Company