Coal GE Price in OSRS: A Comprehensive Guide to Market Trends and Strategies

Coal is a cornerstone resource in Old School RuneScape (OSRS), vital for smithing and a key player in the Grand Exchange (GE) market. Whether you’re a miner, a smither, or a flipper looking to profit, understanding the coal GE price in OSRS can give you an edge. In this blog post, we’ll dive into the factors driving coal prices, historical trends, practical uses, and strategies to maximize your profits—all tailored for April 08, 2025. Let’s explore why coal remains a hot commodity in Gielinor and how you can leverage its market dynamics.
The price of coal on the Grand Exchange fluctuates based on supply, demand, and in-game updates. As of April 08, 2025, staying informed about these drivers is crucial for players looking to buy, sell, or trade coal effectively.
Supply and Mining Accessibility
Coal is mined from coal rocks at level 30 Mining, yielding 50 experience per ore. It respawns every 30 seconds, making it relatively accessible. However, supply spikes when bot farms or large clans dump coal onto the GE, often crashing prices temporarily. For instance, high-volume mining spots like the Mining Guild or Motherlode Mine can flood the market if players cash out en masse.
Demand from Smithing
Coal’s primary use is in smithing, where it’s required to smelt bars like steel, mithril, adamant, and rune. The Blast Furnace cuts coal usage in half, but demand remains steady due to players training Smithing or crafting items for profit. High-level smithing projects, like rune bars (needing 8 coal per bar), keep coal relevant even in 2025.
Game Updates and Speculation
Jagex updates can send coal prices soaring or plummeting. Rumors of new skills (e.g., Sailing) or reworked mechanics often spark speculation. In 2023, coal hit 239 GP each amid Sailing hype, a jump from 150 GP the prior year. Watch for patch notes or developer streams—they’re goldmines for predicting price shifts.
Historical Coal Price Trends in OSRS
Tracking coal’s price history offers insight into its volatility and long-term value. Here’s a look at how coal has performed on the GE over time.
Early Years: Stability and Simplicity
Before the GE’s introduction in 2007, coal traded via player-to-player deals, often at stable rates tied to its utility. Post-GE, prices settled around 100-150 GP as supply and demand balanced out.
Spikes and Crashes: 2020-2025
Coal saw dramatic swings in recent years. In 2020, prices hovered around 130 GP, but by 2023, speculation drove it to 239 GP. A notable crash in 2024 saw coal drop to 1 GP briefly—likely a bot dump—before rebounding. As of April 08, 2025, coal’s price reflects current in-game trends, which you can check live on the OSRS GE database.
Current Price Snapshot
While exact prices shift daily, coal typically ranges between 150-250 GP in 2025, influenced by seasonal events and player activity. Use tools like GE Tracker for real-time data to stay ahead.
Practical Uses of Coal in OSRS
Coal isn’t just a tradeable good—it’s a multi-purpose resource. Here’s how players use it and why it impacts GE prices.
Smithing and Profit
Coal fuels the creation of metal bars, a staple for Smithing training and item crafting. For example:
- Steel Bars: 1 iron ore + 2 coal = ~300-400 GP profit per bar.
- Mithril Bars: 1 mithril ore + 4 coal = higher margins at scale.
- Rune Bars: 1 runite ore + 8 coal = premium profits for high-level players.
The Blast Furnace doubles efficiency, making coal a cost-effective choice for smithers.
Miscellania and Passive Income
After completing Throne of Miscellania, players can assign subjects to mine coal. With 5 workers, you might net 273 coal daily for 25,000 GP (roughly 91.6 GP per coal). This passive supply can undercut GE prices, affecting market rates.
Gem Hunting Bonus
Mining coal rocks offers a higher chance of gems than other ores, adding value for miners. This side perk keeps coal mining popular, stabilizing its supply and price.
Strategies to Profit from Coal GE Prices
Whether you’re flipping, mining, or smithing, coal offers profit potential. Here are actionable strategies for 2025.
Flipping Coal on the GE
Flipping involves buying low and selling high. With coal’s buy limit at 13,000, monitor margins using tools like OSRS GE Tracker. A 10 GP margin on 13,000 coal nets 130,000 GP per flip. Watch for bot dumps (e.g., 1 GP sales) to snag deals, then sell when prices recover.
Mining for Profit
Mine coal at efficient spots like the Mining Guild with a coal bag (stores 27 extra coal). At 50 GP profit per coal and 500 coal per hour, that’s 25,000 GP hourly—solid for mid-level players. Boost output with mining gloves for extra coal per rock.
Smithing Synergy
Buy coal cheap, smelt bars, and sell for profit. Steel bars are a low-risk start, while rune bars target high rollers. Check GE prices for ores and bars to calculate margins—sometimes buying coal below market rate is the key.
Coal GE Price Table: Quick Reference
Here’s a snapshot of coal’s value in different contexts as of April 08, 2025 (prices approximate, check GE for live data):
Activity | Coal Cost (GP) | Output Value (GP) | Profit Potential (GP) |
---|---|---|---|
Mining (per coal) | 0 (free) | 150-250 | 150-250 |
Steel Bar (2 coal) | 300-500 | 700-800 | 300-400 |
Rune Bar (8 coal) | 1,200-2,000 | 13,000-14,000 | 11,000-12,000 |
Miscellania (per coal) | 91.6 | 150-250 | 58-158 |
Tips for Staying Ahead
- Monitor Updates: Jagex announcements can shift prices overnight.
- Use Tools: GE Tracker and RuneLite plugins provide real-time insights.
- Time Your Trades: Sell during peak player hours for faster transactions.
Coal’s GE price in OSRS is more than just a number—it’s a reflection of player behavior, game mechanics, and economic strategy. Whether you’re mining it, smithing with it, or flipping it, coal remains a reliable way to stack gold in 2025. Stay sharp, adapt to market shifts, and let coal fuel your journey through Gielinor!