Old School RuneScape Money Making: 7 Low-Requirement Methods for Beginners

Yo, what’s good, RuneScape newbies? If you’re just starting out in Old School RuneScape (OSRS) and feeling broke in Gielinor, don’t sweat it. I’ve been playing this game for years, from my days as a clueless kid in Lumbridge to becoming an OSRS veteran with a bank full of gold pieces (GP). When I started, I had no clue how to make money—my first “big” haul was 1k from killing chickens! In this guide, I’m hooking you up with 7 low-requirement money-making methods for beginners in 2025, perfect for F2P or new P2P players. These are easy, don’t need crazy stats, and come with my own stories to show you how it’s done. Let’s get you rich, step by step, in a chill, conversational way. Ready? Let’s dive in!

Why Beginners Need Money in OSRS

Gold is everything in OSRS. You need it for gear, skills, bonds, or just to flex at the Grand Exchange. As a beginner, it’s tough—monsters drop pennies, and you’re rocking a bronze dagger. I remember saving for a mithril scimitar like it was a Ferrari. These methods are for players with low stats, fresh accounts, or no cash to start. They work for F2P and early P2P, so you can stack GP fast and enjoy the game.

What’s your dream purchase in OSRS? Rune armor? A bond? Tell me below!

My Top 7 Low-Requirement Money Makers for 2025

These methods need minimal skills, gear, or GP to start. I’ve tested them all, some back when I was a noob, others to help friends starting fresh. Profits are based on 2025 Grand Exchange prices, but check the GE yourself since prices can shift. I’ll share requirements, locations, profits, and my own grind stories. Here’s the list!

1. Collecting Cowhides (F2P)

• Profit: ~150k–300k GP/hour

• Requirements: None (10+ Combat helps), empty inventory

• Location: Lumbridge cow fields

This is THE beginner classic. My first OSRS grind was killing cows in Lumbridge, swinging a rusty iron sword. You kill cows, grab their hides (about 150–200 GP each), and bank at Lumbridge Castle. It’s brain-dead easy and zero-risk. I spent hours here, chatting with randoms, and saved 50k for my first black armor set—felt like a king! Great for level 3 accounts or anyone starting out.

Noob me: “These cows are my ticket to millions!” (They weren’t, but they got me started.)

• Tip: Use the east cow field; it’s closer to the bank.

• XP Bonus: Trains Attack, Strength, or Defence while you earn.

Ever grinded cowhides? It’s nostalgic, right?

2. Mining Iron Ore (F2P)

• Profit: ~200k–400k GP/hour

• Requirements: 15 Mining, pickaxe (bronze or iron is fine)

• Location: Varrock southeast mine or Al Kharid mine

Mining iron ore was my chill vibe when I wanted to AFK. You mine iron ore (200–250 GP each), bank it, or drop it for faster XP. I’d park at Varrock’s mine, watch YouTube, and click rocks. One time, I mined 500 ores in a session and bought a rune scimitar—huge flex! Al Kharid’s closer to a bank, but Varrock’s quieter. This method’s great for Mining XP too.

• Gear Tip: Grab a steel pickaxe from the Varrock shop if you can.

• Bank Path: From Varrock, head west to the bank; it’s quick.

What’s your go-to AFK skill? Mining’s my jam.

3. Collecting Wine of Zamorak (F2P)

• Profit: ~500k–700k GP/hour

• Requirements: 33 Magic, Telekinetic Grab (air runes, law runes), 37 Prayer (optional)

• Location: Falador Monastery (safer) or Deep Wilderness Dungeon

This was my First big F2P money maker. You cast Telekinetic Grab to snatch Wine of Zamorak (1,000–1,500 GP each) from the altar without ticking off monks. Falador’s safe, but the Wilderness spawns faster. I tried the Wilderness as a noob, got PKed with 10 wines, and cried IRL. Stick to Falador: cast, grab, bank, repeat. It’s simple but needs some runes to start.

Pro tip: Bring monk robes for extra prayer points if you’re low on cash.

• Safety Tip: In the Wildy, bring only runes and cheap gear.

• Profit Boost: Higher Magic speeds up casting.

Ever been PKed? It’s a rite of passage!

4. Tanning Cowhides (P2P)

• Profit: ~400k–600k GP/hour

• Requirements: 10k–20k GP startup, access to Al Kharid

• Location: Al Kharid tannery

Tanning cowhides is a P2P gem for low levels. Buy cowhides from the GE, tan them at Ellis in Al Kharid (costs 1 GP per hide), and sell the leather for profit. I did this to fund my early P2P days, clicking away while watching Netflix. One session netted me 200k for a skillcape grind. It’s repetitive but needs no skills, just a bit of starting cash.

• Tip: Check GE margins before buying; profits vary.

• Bank Route: Al Kharid bank is right next to the tannery.

Tried tanning yet? It’s like a mini GE hustle.

5. Killing Hill Giants (F2P)

• Profit: ~300k–500k GP/hour

• Requirements: 20+ Combat, gear (mithril or better), food (trout or salmon)

• Location: Edgeville Dungeon or Wilderness (riskier)

Hill giants were my teenage obsession. These chunky boys drop big bones (200–300 GP), limpwurt roots, and random loot. I’d camp in Edgeville Dungeon, safe-spotting with a shortbow, feeling like a pro. Wilderness giants drop more, but I lost a mithril chainbody to a PKer once—RIP. Edgeville’s safer: kill, loot, bank at Edgeville. Trains combat too!

• Gear: Mithril scimitar or bow, Strength amulet if you have one.

• Safe Spot: Use the rocks in Edgeville for ranged or magic.

What’s your favorite F2P monster? Giants are chill.

6. Fishing Lobsters (F2P)

• Profit: ~150k–350k GP/hour

• Requirements: 40 Fishing, lobster pot, 30 Cooking (optional)

• Location: Karamja (Musa Point)

Fishing lobsters is a skilling classic. You fish at Karamja, bank at the deposit box, or cook and sell for extra GP. I grinded Fishing here for my first 99, banking lobsters to fund my combat gear. It’s semi-AFK, and I’d chat with fishers about life while clicking. Raw lobsters sell better, but cooking trains Cooking XP. Needs patience but super low-effort.

• Tip: Pay 30 GP to sail from Port Sarim to Karamja.

• Bank Tip: Use the deposit box near the Karamja dock.

You a fisher? Lobsters are slow but steady.

7. Smelting Steel Bars (F2P)

• Profit: ~250k–450k GP/hour

• Requirements: 30 Smithing, iron ore, coal (2:1 ratio), 10k–20k GP

• Location: Al Kharid or Falador furnace

Smelting steel bars was my Smithing hustle. Buy iron ore and coal from the GE, smelt at Al Kharid’s furnace, and sell the bars. I’d stock up on ores, smelt while vibing in my clan chat, and make 300k in an hour. It’s semi-AFK but needs startup cash. Check GE prices to lock in profits. Great for Smithing XP too.

• Tip: Use a ring of forging to save coal if you can snag one.

• Profit Check: Iron ore + coal should cost less than steel bar price.

Ever smelted bars? It’s oddly satisfying.

Profit and Requirements Table

Here’s how these methods compare. Profits are 2025 estimates, so check the GE for real-time prices.

Method	Profit (GP/hour)	Requirements	Location	F2P/P2P	Risk Level
Cowhides	150k–300k	None	Lumbridge	F2P	None
Mining Iron Ore	200k–400k	15 Mining, pickaxe	Varrock/Al Kharid	F2P	None
Wine of Zamorak	500k–700k	33 Magic, Telekinetic Grab	Falador/Wilderness	F2P	Low/High
Tanning Cowhides	400k–600k	10k GP	Al Kharid	P2P	None
Hill Giants	300k–500k	20+ Combat, food	Edgeville/Wilderness	F2P	Low/Medium
Fishing Lobsters	150k–350k	40 Fishing, lobster pot	Karamja	F2P	None
Smelting Steel Bars	250k–450k	30 Smithing, ores	Al Kharid/Falador	F2P	None

My Beginner Grind Story

I started OSRS with nothing, killing goblins for 5 GP drops, thinking I’d be rich. My first real grind was cowhides, banking 1k for 100k—felt like a Millionaire! Then I moved to mining, wines, and giants, each method boosting my bank. Tanning cowhides was a game-changer when I went P2P, funding my first skillcape. Every GP earned felt like a win. The grind’s tough, but it’s so rewarding when you hit that first mil.

What’s your first GP memory? Cowhides? Chickens? Share it!

Tips to Crush It as a Beginner

Here’s what I wish I knew starting out:

• Always Check GE Prices: Hides, ores, or wines fluctuate. Use the OSRS Wiki or GE tracker.

• Bank Smart: Don’t carry 100 wines in the Wilderness. I lost 200k once—never again!

• Train Combat Early: Even 30 Attack/Strength makes giants or cows faster. I slacked and regretted it.

• Start Small with Tanning/Smelting: Test with 100 hides or 50 bars to avoid losses.

• Join a Clan Chat: Clans share tips and keep you hyped. My clan taught me about wines.

• Be Patient: GP adds up slow at first, but it snowballs. Trust the grind.

FAQs

Q: What’s the best method for a level 3 account?
A: Cowhides. No stats, no risk, just click and bank.

Q: Can I make enough for a bond with these?
A: Yup! Wines or tanning can get you there in a week or two.

Q: Is the Wilderness safe for Wine of Zamorak?
A: Not really. Stick to Falador unless you’re ready to run.

Q: Which method’s the most AFK?
A: Mining iron ore. Barely need to click.

Q: Do I need money to start these?
A: Most are free, but tanning and smelting need 10k–20k GP.

Q: What’s the fastest way to 1M GP?
A: Wine of Zamorak if you’ve got 33 Magic. It’s quick and profitable.

Conclusion

Starting out in OSRS can feel like a slog, but these 7 low-requirement money makers will get you rolling in GP in 2025. From cowhides in Lumbridge to tanning in Al Kharid, I’ve grinded them all, and each taught me something. Pick one that fits your vibe—combat, skilling, or AFK—and start stacking that bank. My journey from noob to rich took time, but every hide, ore, and wine was worth it. Grab your pickaxe or scimitar, check those GE prices, and let’s make millions. What method are you trying first? Hit me up in the comments, and happy grinding!