How Long Does It Take to Reach 99 Woodcutting in OSRS? A Detailed Guide

Reaching level 99 Woodcutting in Old School RuneScape (OSRS) is a milestone many players aim for, whether for the prestigious skill cape, personal satisfaction, or the practical benefits it unlocks. But how long does it actually take to get there? The answer depends on your training method, playstyle, and dedication. In this blog post, we’ll break down the time required to hit 99 Woodcutting, explore the fastest and most AFK methods, and provide tips to optimize your journey. Whether you’re a free-to-play (F2P) or pay-to-play (P2P) player, this guide has you covered!

Woodcutting is one of OSRS’s core gathering skills, allowing players to chop trees for logs used in Fletching, Firemaking, and Construction. It’s a straightforward skill: equip an axe, find a tree, and start chopping. However, the time to reach 99 varies widely based on experience rates, which are influenced by your axe, the trees you cut, and whether you use advanced techniques like tick manipulation.

Why Aim for 99 Woodcutting?

Getting to 99 Woodcutting offers several rewards:

• Skill Cape: The Woodcutting Cape provides a 10% chance of receiving an extra log while chopping.
• Quest and Diary Requirements: High Woodcutting levels unlock key content like the Woodcutting Guild and certain quests.
• Profit Potential: Logs like Magic and Redwood can generate decent gold, especially for Ironmen or alt accounts.
• AFK Training: It’s one of the most relaxed skills to train, perfect for multitasking.

Total XP Needed for 99

To reach level 99 Woodcutting, you need 13,034,431 experience points (XP). Starting from level 1, this is a hefty grind, but with the right approach, you can minimize the hours spent. Let’s dive into the methods and time estimates.

Fastest Methods to 99 Woodcutting (P2P)

For P2P players, the fastest route to 99 involves tick manipulation and high-XP trees. These methods are click-intensive but drastically cut down the time required.

2-Tick Teak Trees (Level 35–99)

Teak trees, unlocked at level 35, are the meta for speed-focused players. Using the 2-tick method—where you reset the chopping animation with an NPC attack—you can achieve incredible XP rates.

• Location: Ape Atoll (requires partial completion of Monkey Madness I) or Prifddinas (post-Song of the Elves).
• XP Rates: Up to 180,000–220,000 XP/hour at level 99 with a Crystal Axe.
• Requirements: Dragon or Crystal Axe, Forestry events for boosts.

Time Estimate: At 200,000 XP/hour, it takes approximately 65 hours from level 35 to 99. Add 1–2 hours for levels 1–35 (regular trees and oaks), totaling around 66–67 hours.

3-Tick Teak Trees (Alternative)

A slightly less intense option is 3-tick teaks, often paired with Forestry events on official worlds (e.g., 388, 444). This method uses a 3-tick cycle (like herb cleaning) to boost efficiency.

• XP Rates: 120,000–150,000 XP/hour.
• Time Estimate: Around 87–108 hours from level 35, or 88–110 hours total from level 1.

Sulliusceps (Level 65–99)

Found on Fossil Island (requires Bone Voyage), Sulliusceps offer a unique training method with decent XP and side benefits like fossils and Numulite.

• XP Rates: 90,000–110,000 XP/hour.
• Time Estimate: From 65 to 99 (11,258,143 XP), it’s about 102–125 hours. Add 5–6 hours for 1–65, totaling 107–131 hours.

AFK Methods to 99 Woodcutting (P2P)

If you prefer a laid-back approach, AFK methods trade speed for ease. These are ideal for players multitasking or using alt accounts.

Redwood Trees (Level 90–99)

Redwoods in the Woodcutting Guild (requires 60 Woodcutting and 75% Hosidius favor) are the ultimate AFK option due to their long depletion timers.

• XP Rates: 60,000–75,000 XP/hour with a Dragon or Crystal Axe.
• Time Estimate: From 90 to 99 (4,805,441 XP), it’s 64–80 hours. Levels 1–90 take roughly 140–160 hours at moderate AFK rates (e.g., Yews at 30,000–40,000 XP/hour), totaling 204–240 hours.

Yew Trees (Level 60–90)

Yews are a profitable AFK option before Redwoods, available in the Woodcutting Guild or Seers’ Village.

• XP Rates: 30,000–40,000 XP/hour.
• Time Estimate: 60–90 (5,013,557 XP) takes 125–167 hours, plus 40–50 hours for 1–60, totaling 165–217 hours to 90.

F2P Methods to 99 Woodcutting

F2P players have fewer options, but 99 Woodcutting is still achievable with patience. Banking logs is less practical due to distance, so dropping is recommended.

Oak Trees (Level 15–60)

Oaks offer the best early XP in F2P, found near Varrock West Bank or Draynor Village.

• XP Rates: 30,000–50,000 XP/hour with a Rune Axe.
• Time Estimate: 1–60 (273,742 XP) takes 5–9 hours.

Yew Trees (Level 60–99)

Yews are the highest-level F2P tree, offering profit but slower XP.

• XP Rates: 25,000–35,000 XP/hour.
• Time Estimate: 60–99 (12,760,689 XP) takes 365–510 hours, plus 5–9 hours for 1–60, totaling 370–519 hours.

Factors Affecting Time to 99 Woodcutting

Several variables can speed up or slow down your grind. Here’s what to consider:

Axes and Gear

Using the best axe available is crucial:

Axe	Level Required	Notes
Bronze	1	Starting axe, very slow.
Rune	41	F2P max, decent speed.
Dragon	61	P2P, 10% faster than Rune, special attack boosts level by +3.
Crystal	71	P2P, best in slot, requires Song of the Elves.

The Lumberjack or Forestry outfit (2.5% XP boost) also shaves off hours.

Forestry Boosts

Introduced in 2023, Forestry adds group boosts on official worlds, increasing XP by up to 20,000/hour when events spawn. This can reduce total time by 10–15%.

Playtime Per Day

Assuming 5 hours daily:

• Fastest (2-tick Teaks): 13–14 days.
• AFK (Redwoods): 41–48 days.
• F2P (Yews): 74–104 days.

Tips to Optimize Your Woodcutting Journey

Maximize efficiency with these strategies:

Start with Quests

Complete Monk’s Friend (2,000 XP) and other early quests to jumpstart your levels, saving 30–60 minutes.

Use Forestry Worlds

Worlds like 388 or 444 offer event bonuses, making P2P training more social and rewarding.

Drop Logs for Speed

Banking wastes time unless you’re profiting (e.g., Yews or Magic logs). Dropping logs keeps you chopping.

Combine with Other Goals

Train Firemaking by burning logs or save them for Construction/Fletching, especially as an Ironman.

Final Time Summary:

• P2P Fastest: 66–67 hours (2-tick Teaks).
• P2P AFK: 204–240 hours (Redwoods).
• F2P: 370–519 hours (Yews).

Whether you’re racing to 99 or taking it slow, Woodcutting offers flexibility. Pick your method, grab your axe, and start chopping—your skill cape awaits!