Ultimate Guide to Making Gold in Old School RuneScape for Beginners and Pros

Old School RuneScape (OSRS) is a beloved MMORPG where gold (GP) is the lifeblood of your adventures in Gielinor. Whether you’re a beginner chopping trees or a seasoned player slaying dragons, earning gold efficiently can transform your gameplay. This guide dives into the best methods to stack your bank with GP, catering to all skill levels and playstyles. From low-effort skilling to high-risk combat, we’ve got you covered with proven strategies to maximize your profits.

Gold in OSRS is essential for buying gear, supplies, and Old School Bonds for membership. It fuels skill training, quest completions, and even flexing rare items. Without a steady GP income, progressing through the game’s vast content can feel like a grind. The good news? There are countless ways to make gold, and this post will highlight methods that balance effort, requirements, and rewards.

Understanding the OSRS Economy

The Grand Exchange (GE) sets most item prices, creating a dynamic market that fluctuates based on supply and demand. Ironman players, who can’t use the GE, rely on gathering or combat drops, but for most, the GE is your go-to for selling loot. Always check current prices before investing in a method, as market shifts can affect profits.

Beginner-Friendly Gold Making Methods

New players often feel overwhelmed by OSRS’s depth, but you don’t need high stats or millions in the bank to start earning. These low-requirement methods are perfect for beginners and can fund early gear or membership bonds.

Stronghold of Security

Located beneath Barbarian Village, the Stronghold of Security is a quick way to earn 10,000 GP. Complete the first three levels of this dungeon, fighting low-level monsters (levels 5–159). Bring a few healing items like cabbages from Lumbridge fields to stay safe. This method requires no skills and is a one-time boost to kickstart your journey.

Killing Chickens

Chickens are a classic beginner target found at Fred the Farmer’s farm in Lumbridge. They drop feathers, bones, and raw chicken, all sellable on the GE. Feathers stack, making banking easier, and are in demand for fly-fishing. Cook raw chickens if their GE price is higher than raw. Expect around 50,000–100,000 GP per hour with minimal risk.

Tanning Cowhides

Gather cowhides from cows near Lumbridge or Falador (they respawn quickly and are non-aggressive). Take them to the tanner in Al Kharid for 1 GP each to turn into soft leather. Sell the leather on the GE for a profit. With 7 quest points or 24 hours of playtime, you can expect 100,000–200,000 GP per hour, depending on market prices.

Skilling for Steady Profits

Skilling is a reliable way to make gold while leveling up. These methods are often AFK-friendly, making them ideal for players balancing OSRS with other tasks. They suit mid-level players but are accessible to beginners with some grinding.

Woodcutting Yew Logs

Chopping yew trees requires level 60 Woodcutting and a Rune or Dragon axe for efficiency. Yew logs are in demand for Fletching and Firemaking, fetching around 250 GP each. Popular spots include south of Falador or near Catherby (P2P). With level 75 Woodcutting, you can earn 65,000–100,000 GP per hour. Bot-free spots are tricky, so world-hop if needed.

Fishing Lobsters and Sharks

Fishing is a profitable skill, especially for members. At level 40 Fishing, catch lobsters in Catherby or Musa Point (F2P). At level 76 Fishing with a harpoon, target sharks (members-only), which sell for high prices due to their use as food and in Herblore. Cook your catches with level 80 Cooking to boost value. Expect 100,000–300,000 GP per hour for lobsters and up to 500,000 GP for sharks.

Mining Gold Ore

Mining gold ore at level 40 Mining is a solid option, especially at the Crafting Guild (F2P) or Mor Ul Rek (P2P). The Crafting Guild requires 99 Crafting or the hard Falador Diary for a deposit box, but Rimmington Mine is a good F2P alternative. Gold ore sells well for Smithing and Crafting training, yielding 100,000–200,000 GP per hour with world-hopping.

Top Skilling Tips:

• Always check GE prices before selling to maximize profits.
• Use the best tools (e.g., Dragon axe, harpoon) to speed up gathering.
• Combine skilling with training other skills (e.g., Cooking fish) for efficiency.
• Avoid crowded spots by world-hopping or choosing off-peak times.

Combat-Based Gold Making

For players who thrive on slaying monsters, combat offers high rewards but often requires decent stats and gear. These methods are best for mid-to-high-level players with combat skills above 70.

Blue Dragon Slaying

Blue dragons in Taverley Dungeon drop valuable dragon bones and blue dragonhide, used for Prayer and Crafting. You need 70 Agility to access the shortcut, plus 70 Ranged, 80 Melee, or 37 Magic for effective kills. Profits range from 500,000–1,000,000 GP per hour, plus combat XP. Members-only, this method shines with good gear like a Toxic Blowpipe.

Rune Running

Rune running involves collecting rune or pure essence for players too busy to gather it themselves. This service requires traveling to dangerous, high-level areas, but you can advertise on the “Runes and Ammo” forum section. Profits vary (100,000–300,000 GP per hour), depending on demand and your efficiency. No high stats are needed, just patience.

Bossing (Zulrah and Vorkath)

High-level bossing is the pinnacle of gold making, with Zulrah and Vorkath offering 2,000,000–3,000,000 GP per hour. Both require strong combat stats (80+ Ranged/Melee), good gear, and practice to master their mechanics. Zulrah drops scales and uniques like the Tanzanite Fang, while Vorkath’s dragon bones and hides are consistent money-makers. These are members-only and high-risk but unmatched for profit.

Method	Requirements	GP per Hour	F2P/P2P
Stronghold of Security	None	10,000 (one-time)	F2P
Killing Chickens	None	50,000–100,000	F2P
Tanning Cowhides	7 quest points or 24 hours playtime	100,000–200,000	F2P
Woodcutting Yew Logs	60 Woodcutting	65,000–100,000	F2P/P2P
Fishing Sharks	76 Fishing, 80 Cooking	300,000–500,000	P2P
Blue Dragon Slaying	70 Combat, 70 Agility	500,000–1,000,000	P2P
Zulrah/Vorkath	80+ Combat, high-end gear	2,000,000–3,000,000	P2P

Advanced Strategies for Maximizing Gold

Once you’ve built a bankroll, advanced methods like merchanting and minigames can skyrocket your wealth. These require market knowledge or specific skills but offer unique opportunities.

Flipping on the Grand Exchange

Flipping involves buying items low and selling high on the GE. Start with 100,000–1,000,000 GP and target high-volume items like runes, logs, or potions. Check price trends using the OSRS Wiki or GE Tracker. With practice, flipping can yield 500,000–2,000,000 GP per hour, depending on your investment and market savvy.

Minigames (Barrows and Pyramid Plunder)

Barrows offers valuable armor sets and runes, with profits of 500,000–1,500,000 GP per hour for players with 70+ combat and Magic. Pyramid Plunder (40+ Thieving) yields artifacts and gold from sarcophagi, netting 200,000–400,000 GP per hour. Both are members-only and require some skill investment but are engaging and profitable.

Investing in Long-Term Items

Invest 5,000,000+ GP in items like herbs or rare weapons (e.g., Dragon darts) and hold for 1–3 months. Prices often rise due to updates or demand spikes. This passive method can yield millions but requires research to avoid losses. Check the OSRS Wiki for price histories before committing.

Advanced Tips for Success:

• Use an alt account for passive skilling or AFK methods to double your income.
• Stay updated on OSRS news for events or updates that boost certain items’ value.
• Join a clan or Discord for tips on market trends and group bossing.
• Balance skilling and combat to keep gameplay fresh and profitable.

Making gold in OSRS is an adventure that rewards patience, strategy, and adaptability. Start with beginner methods like tanning cowhides, progress to skilling like fishing sharks, and aim for high-level bossing or flipping as you grow. With these methods, you’ll be swimming in GP and ready to tackle Gielinor’s toughest challenges. Happy gold farming!