Old School RuneScape Money Making: Beginner to Expert Guide

Jun-19-2025 PST

Old School RuneScape (OSRS) is a game where skill and strategy can lead to riches-but unlike other MMOs, there's no single way to make money. Whether you're just starting out with a fresh account or you're a maxed main looking to fund a new gear upgrade or Bond, knowing the best money-making methods for your level is key to maximizing your time and profits.

 

This comprehensive money-making guide breaks down early, mid, and late-game gold strategies in OSRS. It includes both P2P (Pay-to-Play) and F2P (Free-to-Play) methods, covering everything from skilling to bossing to niche flipping techniques.

 

Why Understanding Money Making Is Essential

In OSRS, OSRS gold is your gateway to better gear, faster training methods, and even membership through Bonds. With the right methods, you can achieve your in-game goals quicker and more efficiently, all while developing your character in the process.

 

Money-making isn't just about maximizing GP/hour-it's about doing what's viable for your skills, gear, and time.

 

Early Game Money Making (Level 3-50)

For new or low-level accounts, your options are limited but still viable. Your goals here should be to build your cash stack while training your core skills.

 

1. Collecting and Selling Items (F2P & P2P)

Cowhides

Location: Lumbridge cow pen or Al Kharid

 

GP/Hour: about 50k-100k

 

Kill cows, collect hides, and sell on the Grand Exchange. A simple, reliable method for any new player.

 

Blue Wizard Robes & Wine of Zamorak

Location: Chaos Temple (Level 38 Wilderness or Varrock temple with telekinetic grab)

 

GP/Hour: about 100k-200k

 

Wine of Zamorak respawns quickly and sells for decent GP. Use Telekinetic Grab for safety.

 

2. Fishing for Profit

Method: Fly fishing for Trout/Salmon or Lobster catching (in Karamja)

 

GP/Hour: about 50k-150k

 

Great for F2P accounts building both Fishing and cash.

 

3. Tanning Hides

Requirement: Small starting cash (~10k)

 

GP/Hour: about 200k-300k

 

Buy cowhides from the GE, tan them in Al Kharid, and sell the leather for a profit.

 

Mid-Game Money Making (Combat Level 60+, Skills 50-70)

This is where the real money starts rolling in. You'll start unlocking bosses, efficient skilling methods, and high-volume items for flipping or gathering.

 

1. Slayer with Loot Pickup

Requirement: 50-70 Combat, Slayer 30+

 

GP/Hour: 200k-800k depending on task and drops

 

Tasks like Gargoyles and Cave Horrors drop valuable items like Rune items, Black Masks, and hard clue scrolls.

 

2. Fletching Broad Bolts

Requirement: 55 Fletching, 300 Slayer Points (to unlock)

 

GP/Hour: 500k-1.2M

 

Buy unfinished broad bolts, attach feathers, and sell. Consistent and bank-standing friendly.

 

3. Pyramid Plunder

Requirement: 51+ Thieving, access to Sophanem

 

GP/Hour: about 300k-600k

 

Earn gold through artifacts and Pharaoh's scepters, which can sell for millions.

 

4. Flipping on the Grand Exchange

Requirement: Market knowledge, about 500k-1M starting gold

 

GP/Hour: Varies wildly (about 200k-2M+)

 

Buy low, sell high. Start with high-volume items like runes, ores, and potions. Use tools like GE-tracker to analyze trends.

 

5. Blast Furnace

Requirement: 60 Smithing (or 30 with boost), Ice Gloves recommended

 

GP/Hour: 500k-1.5M

 

Smelt bars (e.g., steel, mithril, adamantite) at a reduced coal cost. A staple for efficient gold and Smithing XP.

 

Late Game Money Making (High Combat & Maxed Skills)

Now you're ready for the big leagues. With better gear and stats, your GP/hour potential skyrockets.

 
1. Bossing

Zulrah

Requirement: 80+ Combat stats, Regicide quest

 

GP/Hour: 2M-4M

 

Solo PvM boss with high-value drops like scales, uniques, and herbs.

 

Vorkath

Requirement: Dragon Slayer II, 90+ Ranged

 

GP/Hour: 2M-4M

 

High efficiency with Dragon Hunter Crossbow or Blowpipe. Drops consistent loot like bones, hides, and rare drops.

 

Chambers of Xeric (Raids 1)

GP/Hour: 2M-6M+

 

Requires coordination but offers some of the best drops in the game-Twisted Bow, Ancestral, etc.

 

The Gauntlet (Crystal and Corrupted)

Requirement: Song of the Elves

 

GP/Hour: about 1.5M-3M

 

No gear needed; skill-based. Crystal armor seeds are a massive profit source.

 

2. Skilling for Profit (High Skill Levels)

Herblore: Cleaning High-Level Herbs

Requirement: 80+ Herblore

 

GP/Hour: 500k-1M

 

Buy dirty herbs (e.g., Ranarr, Snapdragon), clean and sell. Great passive income between raids.

 

Runecrafting Blood Runes

Requirement: 77+ Runecrafting, Arceuus favor

 

GP/Hour: 600k-1.2M

 

Less click-intensive and very profitable with higher levels.

 

Hunter: Chinchompas

Requirement: 63+ Hunter

 

GP/Hour: 1M+

 

Red or Black chinchompas sell for solid profit, especially in P2P. Requires attention due to potential PKers in Wilderness.

 

3. Niche High-Risk Methods

Revenants (Wilderness)

Requirement: Anti-PK gear, 90+ Combat

 

GP/Hour: 1M-5M+

 

Extremely profitable, but high risk of dying to PKers. Use the Ferox Enclave escape method.

 

PKing for Bounty

Requirement: PK gear and skill

 

GP/Hour: Unpredictable (0-10M+)

 

High-risk, high-reward. Profit from loot keys and gear if you consistently win.

 

Passive or AFK Methods

Sometimes you want to make gold while watching a show or studying.

 

1. Amethyst Mining

Requirement: 92 Mining

 

GP/Hour: about 450k-600k

 

Very low click effort; extremely AFK-friendly.

 

2. Managing Miscellania

Requirement: Completion of Throne of Miscellania

 

GP/Day: about 75k-150k (passive)

 

Set workers to collect herbs or fish. Invest about 1.5M for best results. Check once a week.

 

Tips to Maximize Profits

1. Track Your GP/Hour

Use timers and plugins (e.g., Runelite) to track efficiency and test new methods.

 

2. RS gold for sale in Bulk

Selling large stacks of items (e.g., herbs, runes, potions) nets better margins. Wait for peak trading times.

 

3. Use Price-Checking Tools

Sites like GE-Tracker or OSBuddy help you track item values and flipping margins in real-time.

 

4. Always Be Training

Try methods that train a skill while making money-double dipping in profit and XP is always best.

 

5. Diversify Your Strategies

Don't stick to one method forever. Markets fluctuate-today's best money-maker may be worthless tomorrow.

 

Conclusion: Choose Your Path to Wealth

Old School RuneScape offers a gold-making strategy for every type of player-from the casual skiller to the hardcore PvMer. Whether you're flipping at the Grand Exchange, farming Zulrah for unique drops, or AFK-mining amethyst for slow but steady gains, you can always make money in OSRS.

 

The best money-making method is the one that fits your playstyle, your goals, and your patience level. Stay informed, adapt to the economy, and above all-keep grinding smart.