OSRS F2P Runecrafting Training: Best Methods to Level Up in 2025

Runecrafting in Old School RuneScape (OSRS) is one of the most challenging yet rewarding skills, especially for free-to-play (F2P) players. While it’s notorious for being slow and repetitive, mastering F2P Runecrafting can unlock decent profits and prepare you for more advanced methods if you ever switch to a membership. In this guide, we’ll dive into the best ways to train Runecrafting as an F2P player in 2025, covering everything from beginner tips to reaching level 99. Whether you’re crafting air runes or grinding body runes, this blog post will help you optimize your training and make the most of your time in Gielinor.

For F2P players, Runecrafting might not seem like the most exciting skill at first glance. However, it offers unique benefits that make it worth the grind. Not only does it provide a steady supply of runes for Magic training, but it can also generate some gold through selling runes on the Grand Exchange. Plus, hitting higher levels gives you a sense of accomplishment in a game mode with limited skill options.

Benefits of Runecrafting in F2P

Rune Supply: Craft your own runes for spells like Confuse, Weaken, or Teleports.
Profit Potential: Body runes, in particular, can net you a small profit over time.
Skill Prestige: High Runecrafting levels are rare in F2P, making it a badge of honor.

Challenges of F2P Runecrafting

The main hurdle is the slow experience rates and lack of variety compared to P2P methods like Guardians of the Rift or lava rune crafting. You’re limited to a handful of altars, and there’s no access to essence pouches or faster teleport options. But with the right strategy, you can still make steady progress.

Getting Started: Rune Mysteries Quest

Before you can begin training Runecrafting, you need to complete the Rune Mysteries quest. This short quest unlocks the skill and is a must for all F2P players.

How to Complete Rune Mysteries

Start by talking to Duke Horacio in Lumbridge Castle.
Deliver an Air Talisman to the Wizard’s Tower south of Draynor Village.
Take some research notes to Aubury in Varrock’s rune shop.
Return to Duke Horacio to finish the quest.

Once completed, you’ll gain access to the Rune Essence mine and can start crafting runes. It’s quick, taking about 10-15 minutes, and requires no combat or skill levels.

Essential Runecrafting Gear and Inventory

In F2P, your gear options are limited, but a few items can make a big difference. Here’s what you’ll need to optimize your training.

Recommended Gear

Tiaras: Craft or buy tiaras for each altar (e.g., Air Tiara, Earth Tiara). They save inventory space and let you enter altars with a left-click.
Energy Potions: Restore 10% run energy per dose, boosting XP rates by 30-50%.
Lightweight Armor: Wear basic gear like leather armor to keep your weight low for longer running.

Inventory Setup

Your inventory is simple but crucial:

Pure Essence: Cheaper than Rune Essence (1 gp vs. 11 gp) and works for all F2P runes.
Energy Potions: Optional but highly recommended for efficiency.
Teleport Runes: Law, Air, and Earth runes for Falador or Varrock Teleport if you have the Magic level.

Best F2P Runecrafting Training Methods

Now, let’s break down the most effective ways to train Runecrafting in F2P. The progression typically involves crafting different runes as you level up, balancing XP rates with accessibility.

Levels 1-9: Crafting Air Runes

Start your journey at the Air Altar, located south of Falador. It’s the easiest and most accessible method for beginners.

XP per Essence: 5
XP per Inventory (28 Essence): 140
Location: South of Falador, near a bank.
Method: Bank at Falador East Bank, run south to the altar, craft runes, and return. Use Falador Teleport (37 Magic) for faster banking.

Tip: Craft air runes until level 9. It’s slow but sets the foundation for better methods.

Levels 9-20: Crafting Earth Runes

At level 9, switch to the Earth Altar northeast of Varrock for slightly better XP.

XP per Essence: 6.5
XP per Inventory (28 Essence): 182
Location: Northeast of Varrock, near the sawmill.
Method: Bank at Varrock East Bank, run to the altar, craft runes, and teleport back with Varrock Teleport (25 Magic) or walk.

Tip: Use an Earth Tiara to save a slot if you don’t have teleport runes.

Levels 20-99: Crafting Body Runes

From level 20, body runes become the best F2P option. They offer the highest XP per essence and decent profit potential.

XP per Essence: 7.5
XP per Inventory (28 Essence): 210
Location: South of Edgeville Monastery, west of Barbarian Village.
Method: Bank at Edgeville, run south to the altar, craft runes, and return.

Scaling Multipliers:

Level 20-45: 1 body rune per essence.
Level 46-91: 2 body runes per essence.
Level 92-99: 3 body runes per essence.

Tip: Stick with body runes all the way to 99 for the best XP rates in F2P. Sell excess runes for profit.

Alternative: Crafting Tiaras (Expensive but Fast)

If you have extra gold, crafting tiaras can speed up your XP gains significantly.

Tiara	Level Required	XP per Tiara	Cost (Approx.)
Water Tiara	1	30	~50-100 gp
Body Tiara	20	37.5	~50-100 gp

Method: Buy plain tiaras and talismans, use them on the altar (e.g., Water Altar in Lumbridge Swamp), and sell the crafted tiaras. This method costs more but can yield up to 32k XP/hr with banking tricks like Lumbridge Teleport (31 Magic).

Tips to Maximize XP and Efficiency

Runecrafting in F2P is all about optimizing your runs. Here are some pro tips to boost your efficiency in 2025.

Use Energy Potions

Energy potions are a game-changer, especially at lower Agility levels. A single dose restores 10% run energy, letting you make more trips per hour. At 68-128 gp per dose, they’re worth the investment for serious grinders.

Leverage Teleports

If you’ve trained Magic, use teleports to cut down travel time:

Varrock Teleport (Level 25): Speeds up earth rune runs.
Falador Teleport (Level 37): Perfect for air runes.
Lumbridge Teleport (Level 31): Great for water tiara crafting.

Stockpile Pure Essence

Buy pure essence in bulk from the Grand Exchange (around 1 gp each) since F2P players can’t mine it. It’s cheaper and works for all runes, unlike rune essence.

Banking Efficiency

Minimize banking time by pre-stacking essence in your inventory. Use the closest bank to each altar (e.g., Edgeville for body runes) and avoid unnecessary clicks.

Training Runecrafting in OSRS F2P is a test of patience, but with the right methods, it’s entirely achievable. Start with air runes, transition to earth runes, and settle into body runes for the long haul—or splash out on tiaras if you’ve got the gold. By using energy potions, teleports, and smart banking, you can push your XP rates to respectable levels for F2P. Whether you’re aiming for profit, rune self-sufficiency, or just the thrill of hitting 99, this guide has you covered. Happy crafting, and may your runs be swift!