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OSRS Money Making F2P Ironman: Best Methods for 2025

Old School RuneScape (OSRS) offers a unique challenge with its Ironman mode, especially in free-to-play (F2P) worlds. As an F2P Ironman, you’re restricted from trading with other players or using the Grand Exchange, making money-making a tougher but rewarding endeavor. Whether you’re a new player or a seasoned adventurer looking to maximize your gold pile, this guide dives into the best OSRS money-making methods for F2P Ironmen in 2025. From low-level grinds to high-skill profits, we’ve got you covered with practical, efficient strategies.
Unlike regular accounts, F2P Ironmen can’t rely on trading or flipping items for quick cash. Gold is essential for buying supplies, crafting materials, and upgrading gear— all of which you must source yourself. While the Ironman mode emphasizes self-sufficiency, having a steady income stream lets you focus on skilling and questing without constant resource worries.
Challenges of F2P Ironman Money Making
The F2P world limits your options. With no access to members-only content like the Agility Pyramid or Slayer tasks, you’re stuck with basic skills and combat. Plus, the lack of a Grand Exchange means every coin must come from direct activities— no selling stacks of resources to other players.
What You’ll Need Gold For
- Gear Upgrades: Buying iron or steel armor from shops to kickstart your combat training.
- Crafting Supplies: Purchasing thread, needles, or moulds for jewelry crafting.
- Magic Runes: Stocking up on runes for teleports or High Alchemy.
- Food: Grabbing cooked fish from stores for early combat grinds.
Low-Level Money Making Methods
Starting fresh as an F2P Ironman? These methods are perfect for early-game players with minimal skills. They’re low-risk, accessible, and help you build a foundation of gold.
Collecting Steel Platelegs in the Wilderness
Head to the Wilderness ruins north of the Graveyard of Shadows, where steel platelegs spawn regularly. Each pair sells for around 300-400 gp at a general store. The catch? It’s the Wilderness, so watch out for PKers.
- Requirements: None, though 10+ Hitpoints helps if attacked.
- Profit: 10k-20k gp per hour.
- Tip: World-hop to grab platelegs faster and bank in Edgeville.
Mining and Selling Iron Ore
Mine iron ore at the Al Kharid Mine, one of the best F2P spots due to its proximity to a bank. Iron ore sells for 50-100 gp each at general stores, and with a decent Mining level, you can gather it quickly.
- Requirements: Level 15 Mining (for iron), pickaxe.
- Profit: 15k-25k gp per hour.
- Tip: Upgrade to a steel or mithril pickaxe as soon as possible.
Stronghold of Security
This one-time method nets you 10k gp fast. Navigate the Stronghold of Security in Barbarian Village, collecting rewards from each level (2k, 3k, 5k gp). Skip the final floor if you’re low-level to avoid combat risks.
- Requirements: None, but some food is wise.
- Profit: 10k gp (one-time).
- Tip: Fish and cook trout beforehand for safety.
Mid-Level Money Making Methods
Once you’ve got some skills under your belt (around level 30-50), these methods offer better profits and efficiency. They blend skilling and combat for a balanced approach.
Crafting Gold Jewelry
Mine gold ore at the Dwarven Mine or Crafting Guild (level 40 Mining required), smelt it into bars at Al Kharid, and craft it into necklaces or amulets. Sell them to the Port Sarim jewelry shop or general stores for solid returns.
- Requirements: 40 Mining, 20 Crafting (for gold rings), 40 Crafting (for necklaces).
- Profit: 30k-50k gp per hour.
- Tip: Bank your bars and craft in bulk to save time.
Killing Ogress Shamans
Found in the Corsair Cove Dungeon, Ogress Shamans drop rune items, gems, and coins. Use melee to save on ammo costs, and bank your loot in Edgeville via the Corsair Cove boat.
- Requirements: 40+ Combat, Corsair Curse quest (optional for access).
- Profit: 50k-70k gp per hour.
- Tip: Bring lobsters or swordfish for longer trips.
Telegrabbing Nature Runes
In the Wilderness (level 20-30), nature runes spawn in pairs. Use Telekinetic Grab (level 33 Magic) to snag them safely, then sell to the rune shop in Varrock for 100-200 gp each.
- Requirements: 33 Magic, law runes.
- Profit: 40k-60k gp per hour.
- Tip: Carry minimal law runes (100 or so) to reduce PK risk.
High-Level Money Making Methods
For F2P Ironmen with skills above 60, these methods maximize your profits. They require more effort and preparation but deliver the best gold per hour in free-to-play.
Smithing Rune Items
Smith rune items like platelegs or 2h swords at the Varrock west bank anvil. Mine rune bars yourself (85 Mining) or use bar drops from combat, then sell to specialty shops like Horvik’s Armour Shop.
Item | Requirements | Sell Price | Profit/Hour |
---|---|---|---|
Rune 2h Sword | 99 Smithing, 5 rune bars | ~38k gp | 70k-100k gp |
Rune Platelegs | 99 Smithing, 3 rune bars | ~25k gp | 60k-80k gp |
Tip: Pair this with High Alchemy for even more profit once you hit 55 Magic.
High Alching Profitable Items
With 55 Magic, High Alchemy turns crafted or dropped items into gold instantly. Focus on rune items from Ogress Shamans or your smithing efforts. Use a fire staff to cut rune costs.
- Requirements: 55 Magic, nature runes.
- Profit: 80k-120k gp per hour.
- Tip: Craft your own nature runes at level 44 Runecrafting to save gp.
Killing Hill Giants for Big Bones
Hill Giants in the Edgeville Dungeon drop big bones (100-150 gp each) and limpwurt roots. Sell bones to general stores or use them for Prayer XP, banking loot via the nearby Edgeville bank.
- Requirements: 40+ Combat, brass key (optional).
- Profit: 40k-60k gp per hour.
- Tip: Safe-spot them with Ranged or Magic for efficiency.
Tips to Maximize Your F2P Ironman Profits
Boosting your gold per hour takes more than just picking a method. Here’s how to optimize your money-making grind.
World Hopping for Speed
Many methods—like collecting steel platelegs or telegrabbing nature runes—rely on spawns. Use OSRS’s world-hopping feature to jump between F2P worlds, reducing downtime and increasing loot collection.
Banking and Inventory Management
Keep your inventory lean. Bank valuable items regularly to avoid losing them to a surprise death (especially in the Wilderness). For Ultimate Ironmen, sell loot immediately to free up space.
Combine Skills for Efficiency
Pair money-making with training. For example, mine gold ore for Crafting XP, then craft and sell jewelry. Or kill Hill Giants for Combat XP while banking their drops. Multitasking keeps your account progressing.
F2P Ironman Money Making FAQs
What’s the Fastest Way to Make Money as an F2P Ironman?
For high-level players, smithing rune items and High Alching them tops out at 100k+ gp per hour. For beginners, the Stronghold of Security’s 10k gp is the quickest starter cash.
Is Combat or Skilling Better for Gold?
It depends on your level. Early on, skilling (Mining, Crafting) is safer and more consistent. At higher levels, combat (Ogress Shamans, Hill Giants) outpaces skilling in profit potential.
Should I Save Gold or Spend It?
Early-game, spend on essentials like a better pickaxe or armor. Mid-to-late game, save for runes and crafting supplies to fuel High Alchemy or bigger projects.
Making money as an F2P Ironman in OSRS is a grind, but it’s part of the mode’s charm. From picking up steel platelegs in the Wilderness to smelting rune swords, every coin feels earned. Experiment with these methods, adapt to your skill levels, and watch your gold stack grow in 2025. Ready to take on Gielinor solo? Let’s get that cash flowing!