Runescape Old Money Making: The Ultimate Guide To Earning Gold In OSRS
Are you struggling to build your bank in Old School RuneScape? Do you find yourself constantly broke, unable to afford that next big upgrade or quest requirement? You're not alone. Every new player faces the same challenge: figuring out how to make money in Gielinor. Whether you're an Ironman account trying to build from scratch or a main account looking to fund your PVM adventures, this comprehensive guide will walk you through the most profitable money-making methods in OSRS.
Understanding the Basics of OSRS Money Making
When I started my journey in Old School RuneScape, I had absolutely no clue how to make money. My first "big" haul was a measly 1,000 gold pieces from killing chickens in Lumbridge. I remember feeling ecstatic about that small amount, not realizing that in the grand scheme of OSRS economics, it barely covered the cost of a few arrows. This experience taught me that everyone starts somewhere, and with the right knowledge, you can transform your financial situation in Gielinor.
The Reality of Profit Estimates
Money making guide - this is a list of some of the ways to make money (money makers) in old school runescape and the requirements to do so. The prices and hourly rates are simply an estimate. The actual rates and profit are likely to differ. There are likely other ways that aren't included here. Feel free to suggest them on the talk pages of our community.
It's crucial to understand that all profit estimates in this guide are approximate. Market prices fluctuate based on supply and demand, your efficiency level, and even the time of day you're playing. A method that shows 800,000 GP per hour on paper might yield 600,000 or 1,000,000 in practice depending on various factors.
Combat vs. Skilling: Which Path to Choose?
In the vast medieval landscape of old school runescape, gold reigns supreme. Combat money makers have a lower barrier of entry and tend to make more money than skilling methods. If you prefer skilling, you can [skip here] to fast forward to our skilling money makers.
Combat Money Making Methods
Combat methods are often the go-to choice for new players because they require minimal initial investment. You'll need basic gear like a decent weapon, armor, and food. The beauty of combat money making is that you're killing creatures that drop valuable items while also gaining combat experience.
Some of the most profitable combat methods include:
- Slayer tasks (especially high-level ones)
- Bossing (for experienced players)
- Killing specific monsters with valuable drops
- Barbarian Assault for points and items
Skilling Money Making Methods
If combat isn't your style, skilling offers numerous profitable avenues. These methods often require higher skill levels but can be incredibly AFK (away from keyboard) friendly. Skills like Woodcutting, Fishing, Mining, and Crafting can all generate substantial income when done efficiently.
The Most Profitable Methods by Skill
Here are the most profitable methods for each skill, listed in alphabetical order, as we head into 2025. Jagex, old school runescape (osrs) making money while training your skills in old school runescape (osrs) is a great way to build your account and save for upgrades, and fortunately for you we are huge osrs nerds.
Agility
While Agility isn't typically the first skill that comes to mind for money making, certain courses and methods can be surprisingly profitable. The Dorgesh-Kaan Agility Course offers decent XP rates and occasionally drops gems and other valuable items. Additionally, some Agility obstacles have a chance to spawn Forester's rations, which are stackable items used in woodcutting.
Cooking
Cooking might seem basic, but it can be quite profitable at higher levels. Cooking sharks, anglerfish, or even making jugs of wine can generate steady income. The key is buying raw ingredients when they're cheap and selling cooked items when demand is high.
Crafting
Crafting offers multiple money-making avenues, from cutting gems to making jewelry. High-level Crafting methods like making molten glass, battlestaves, or even crafting dragonhide bodies can yield impressive profits. The Crafting skill also ties into other profitable activities like enchanting jewelry or making teleportation items.
Farming
Farming might seem slow, but it's one of the most consistent money makers in the game. Growing herbs, especially high-level ones like Torstol or Snapdragon, can generate substantial passive income. The beauty of Farming is that you can set up your patches and return hours later to harvest your crops.
Fletching
Fletching is another skill that can generate decent income, especially when making items like broad arrows, darts, or even high-level bows. The key is finding the right balance between XP rates and profit margins.
Herblore
High-level Herblore is extremely profitable, particularly when making potions for PVM activities. Prayer potions, super restores, and other combat potions are always in high demand. However, this method requires significant initial investment in ingredients and has a high skill requirement.
Hunter
Hunter offers several profitable methods, from catching Chinchompas to hunting Salamanders. The higher your Hunter level, the more profitable the methods become. Some Hunter methods also provide passive combat experience, making them doubly efficient.
Magic
Magic has numerous money-making applications, from enchanting jewelry to casting high-level alchemy on items. The most profitable Magic methods often involve PVM activities where you can use spells to increase your profit margins.
Mining
Mining is a classic money maker, especially when targeting valuable ores like Runite or Amethyst. The Motherlode Mine offers a more AFK approach to Mining profit, while gem rocks can provide additional income streams.
Prayer
While Prayer itself isn't typically profitable, combining it with other money-making methods can increase your efficiency. Using bone burial or offering bones at a Gilded Altar while doing other activities can maximize your time.
Runecrafting
High-level Runecrafting, particularly crafting Double Nature runes or Blood and Soul runes, can be extremely profitable. However, these methods require significant investment in pouches and high Runecrafting levels.
Slayer
Slayer is arguably one of the most profitable skills in the game, especially when you reach higher levels and can tackle more challenging monsters. What's going on guys, my name's theoatrix and today i'll be going through the most profitable slayers tasks in 2026 for old school runescape. Last year i made a video like this one, but it wasn't well received since i focused on slayer bosses. Well in this video i'm going to show you the top 10 most profitable slayer tasks that aren't bosses, so these are just regular tasks that make a lot of.
Some of the most profitable non-boss Slayer tasks include:
- Black demons
- Dust devils
- Gargoyles
- Nechryael
- Bloodvelds
- Aberrant spectres
- Infernal Mages
- Jellies
- Turoth
- Kurasks
Smithing
Smithing can be profitable when making items like Dart tips, Arrowheads, or even high-level armor. The key is finding items that sell quickly and have good profit margins.
Thieving
Thieving offers various money-making methods, from pickpocketing Master Farmers to stealing from the Ardougne Knights. The Pyramid Plunder minigame can also be quite profitable, especially at higher Thieving levels.
Woodcutting
Woodcutting is one of the most accessible money-making methods in the game. Cutting Yews, Magics, or Redwood trees can generate steady income. The introduction of Forestry has also added new profitable Woodcutting methods, including the use of Forester's rations, which are stackable items used in woodcutting.
Bossing and High-Level Money Making
For experienced players with high combat stats and good gear, bossing offers some of the highest GP per hour rates in the game. Tormented demons are extremely powerful demons bound into a state of perpetual agony, healing their bodies as they burn, summoned by the mahjarrat lucien after he teleports away the stone of jas during while guthix sleeps. They can be found throughout the ancient guthixian temple after completion of specific quests.
Other profitable bosses include:
- Vorkath
- Zulrah
- Skotizo
- The Gauntlet and Corrupted Gauntlet
- Theatre of Blood bosses
- Chambers of Xeric bosses
Ironman Money Making Considerations
If you're playing an Ironman account, your money-making options will be more limited, but there are still plenty of profitable methods available. Focus on gathering your own resources and processing them into higher-value items. Farming, Hunter, and certain Combat methods work particularly well for Ironmen.
The Evolution of OSRS Economy
The game was released on 16 february 2013. When old school runescape launched, it began as an august 2007 version of the game runescape, which was highly popular prior to the launch of runescape 3. The game has since received engine improvements, new content, and quality of life updates that have affected the economy and money-making methods.
Understanding this evolution is crucial because methods that were profitable in 2013 might not be viable today, and vice versa. The economy has matured, with inflation affecting item prices and new content creating additional money-making opportunities.
Getting Started with Money Making
If you're completely new to the game, start with basic combat methods like killing cows for hides and meat, or chickens for feathers and bones. These low-level methods teach you the basics of banking and selling items while providing enough income to fund better gear.
As you progress, focus on leveling up skills that interest you while keeping an eye on profitable methods for those skills. Remember that the most profitable method for your account will depend on your current stats, available time, and personal preferences.
Conclusion
Making money in Old School RuneScape is a journey that evolves as you progress through the game. What starts as killing chickens for 1,000 GP can transform into generating millions per hour through efficient bossing or high-level skilling. The key is to start somewhere, be consistent, and always be learning about new methods and market trends.
Remember that the most successful money makers in OSRS are those who understand that profit estimates are just that - estimates. Real profit depends on your efficiency, market timing, and ability to adapt to changing conditions. Whether you prefer the AFK nature of skilling or the excitement of combat money making, there's a profitable method out there for you.
Start small, reinvest your profits into better gear or supplies, and watch your bank grow from those humble chicken kills to a fortune worthy of a true Gielinorian adventurer. Happy money making!
