Old School RuneScape Money Making: Beginner to Expert Guide
Jun-19-2025 PSTOld 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.