Fastest Ways to Make Money in OSRS – Ultimate 2025 Guide

Making money in Old School RuneScape (OSRS) is essential for progressing through the game, whether you’re aiming to buy top-tier gear, fund skilling, or secure a bond for membership. With a dynamic economy and countless methods, finding the fastest ways to earn gold can be overwhelming. This guide dives into the most efficient money-making strategies in 2025, catering to both free-to-play (F2P) and pay-to-play (P2P) players, from low-level newbies to high-level veterans. Let’s explore the best methods to stack your gold quickly!
If you’re just starting out in OSRS, don’t worry—there are plenty of accessible ways to build your bank without high stats or hefty investments. These methods are perfect for F2P players or those with minimal skills.
Tanning Cowhides
Tanning cowhides is a straightforward, low-requirement method that’s great for beginners. Head to the Lumbridge cow field, collect cowhides, and take them to the tanner in Al-Kharid. Each hide costs 1 coin to tan, turning it into soft leather, which sells for a tidy profit.
- Requirements: None, though completing Prince Ali Rescue saves gate fees.
- Profit: ~500k-700k GP/hour.
- Steps:
- Kill cows in Lumbridge for hides.
- Bank them or run to Al-Kharid’s tanner (Ellis).
- Tan hides into soft leather and sell on the Grand Exchange (GE).
Cooking Raw Tunas
Cooking raw tunas is a profitable F2P method that also levels your Cooking skill. Tunas are in high demand for their healing properties, making them a reliable seller on the GE.
- Requirements: 30+ Cooking recommended.
- Profit: ~400k-600k GP/hour.
- Steps:
- Buy raw tunas from the GE.
- Cook them at a range (Al-Kharid’s range is close to a bank).
- Sell cooked tunas on the GE.
Stronghold of Security
For brand-new players, the Stronghold of Security in Barbarian Village offers a quick cash injection. This dungeon teaches account safety while rewarding you with gold.
- Requirements: None.
- Profit: 10k GP (one-time).
- Steps:
- Travel west of Varrock to Barbarian Village.
- Enter the Stronghold and answer security questions through four levels.
- Claim 10k GP at the end.
Skilling-Based Money Makers
Skilling can be both profitable and a way to train useful stats. These methods suit players with moderate levels and are viable for F2P and P2P accounts.
Mining and Smithing Bronze Bars
Mining copper and tin to smelt bronze bars is a solid F2P method that boosts Mining and Smithing. It’s low-effort and scalable with your skill levels.
- Requirements: 1 Mining, 1 Smithing (9+ Smithing for double bars).
- Profit: ~800k-1M GP/hour at higher efficiency.
- Steps:
Woodcutting Yew Logs
Cutting yew logs is a classic F2P money maker. Yew logs are valuable due to their use in Fletching and Firemaking, ensuring steady demand.
- Requirements: 60+ Woodcutting.
- Profit: ~300k-500k GP/hour.
- Steps:
Combat Money Makers for Mid to High Levels
Combat offers some of the fastest money-making methods, especially for P2P players with decent stats. These range from killing simple monsters to tackling bosses.
Killing Chaos Druids
Chaos Druids in Taverley Dungeon are a go-to for mid-level players. They drop valuable herbs, making them a consistent money maker.
- Requirements: 35+ Combat, P2P.
- Profit: ~800k-1.2M GP/hour.
- Steps:
- Access Taverley Dungeon (use a Dusty Key or 70 Agility shortcut).
- Kill Chaos Druids for herb drops like ranarr or toadflax.
- Sell herbs on the GE.
Farming Green Dragons
Green Dragons in the Wilderness are a lucrative combat option for P2P players. Their hides and bones fetch high prices.
- Requirements: 60+ Combat, anti-dragon shield.
- Profit: ~1M-1.5M GP/hour.
- Steps:
- Head to the Wilderness (level 20, west of Dark Warriors’ Fortress).
- Kill Green Dragons, collecting hides and bones.
- Bank and sell on the GE (watch for PKers).
High-Level Bossing for Maximum Profits
For players with strong combat stats and gear, bossing is the pinnacle of money making. These methods require investment but yield massive returns.
Killing Vorkath
Vorkath, a high-level boss from Dragon Slayer II, offers consistent profits due to valuable drops like dragon bones and superior dragon bones.
- Requirements: 80+ Combat stats, Dragon Slayer II completed, P2P.
- Profit: ~1.5M-4.5M GP/hour.
- Steps:
Chambers of Xeric (CoX)
Chambers of Xeric is a raid that scales with team size, making it accessible yet highly profitable for skilled players.
- Requirements: 90+ Combat stats, P2P, raid experience.
- Profit: ~3M-9M GP/hour (depends on drops).
- Steps:
- Join or form a raid team in the Chambers of Xeric.
- Complete rooms, defeating Olm at the end.
- Sell rare loot like the Twisted Bow on the GE.
Flipping and Market Strategies
Flipping items on the Grand Exchange is one of the most lucrative methods, requiring minimal effort but a keen eye for market trends.
Basic Flipping
Flipping involves buying low and selling high. Start with items that have high trade volumes, like runes or ores.
- Requirements: Starting capital (500k+ for F2P, 5M+ for P2P).
- Profit: ~700k-15M GP/hour (varies by investment).
- Steps:
- Research items with stable margins using GE Tracker.
- Buy at a low price and sell slightly below the market high.
- Repeat with multiple items to maximize GE slots.
Update Investing
Speculate on items likely to spike due to Jagex updates. This is riskier but can yield huge profits.
- Requirements: Large cash stack (1B+ recommended), P2P.
- Profit: Millions per successful investment.
- Steps:
- Follow Jagex blogs or livestreams for update news.
- Buy items tied to upcoming content (e.g., new weapons).
- Sell when prices peak post-update.
Method | Requirements | Profit (GP/hour) | F2P/P2P |
---|---|---|---|
Tanning Cowhides | None | 500k-700k | F2P |
Cooking Tunas | 30+ Cooking | 400k-600k | F2P |
Killing Vorkath | 80+ Combat, P2P | 1.5M-4.5M | P2P |
Flipping | Capital, GE access | 700k-15M | Both |
Chambers of Xeric | 90+ Combat, P2P | 3M-9M | P2P |
Key Tips for Success:
- Always check GE prices before starting any method, as the OSRS economy fluctuates.
- P2P players should aim for a bond (~7M GP) to unlock more methods.
- Use multiple GE slots for flipping to diversify and reduce risk.
- Join a clan for bossing or raids to improve efficiency and loot chances.
- Track profits with tools like RuneLite’s GE Tracker plugin.
With these methods, you can tailor your money-making strategy to your skills, playstyle, and goals. Whether you’re tanning hides in F2P or slaying Vorkath in P2P, there’s a path to riches in OSRS. Start small, scale up, and watch your bank grow!