Ultimate Guide to Making Money in OSRS: Proven Methods for 2025

Ultimate Guide to Making Money in OSRS: Proven Methods for 2025

Why Making Money in OSRS Matters

If you’ve ever found yourself staring at an empty coin pouch in Old School RuneScape (OSRS), you know the struggle is real. Whether you’re saving for that shiny Twisted Bow, trying to afford an OSRS bond to keep your membership going, or just want to flex a fat stack of gold pieces (GP), mastering money making in OSRS is the key to unlocking the game’s full potential. I’ve been grinding Gielinor for years, and let me tell you—there’s nothing more satisfying than watching your bank grow while having fun in this iconic MMORPG.

In this guide, we’ll dive deep into the best ways to make money on OSRS in 2025, covering beginner-friendly methods, high-level strategies, and everything in between. From chopping logs to slaying dragons, there’s a money-making method for every player, no matter your skill level or playstyle. Let’s get started and turn your coin pouch into a gold mine!

Understanding the Search Intent: Informational and Practical

The keyword make money OSRS screams informational intent with a practical twist. Players searching for money making in OSRS want actionable advice, step-by-step methods, and strategies that fit their skill levels and goals. Whether you’re in the USA, UK, Australia, or beyond, the desire to stack GP transcends borders. This guide will deliver exactly that—proven, up-to-date methods to help you earn millions, with tips tailored to both free-to-play (F2P) and pay-to-play (P2P) players.

Why Money Making in OSRS Feels Like a Global Hustle

Just like running a small business in the US or selling handmade crafts in the UK, making money in OSRS requires strategy, patience, and a bit of hustle. In Australia, where I’ve heard players grind for hours during late-night gaming sessions, the drive to earn GP mirrors the entrepreneurial spirit of building something from scratch. Whether you’re a new player in Lumbridge or a seasoned veteran in Prifddinas, the methods below will help you rake in the gold.

Best Money-Making Methods in OSRS for 2025

Here’s a breakdown of the top Old School RuneScape money-making methods, organized by skill level and investment. I’ve included estimated GP per hour, requirements, and tips to maximize your profits. Let’s dive in!

1. Beginner-Friendly Money-Making Methods (Low-Level, F2P & P2P)

If you’re just starting out or playing F2P, these methods are perfect for building your bank without needing high stats or expensive gear.

Tanning Leather (F2P & P2P)

  • GP/Hour: 100k–300k

  • Requirements: None (just some starting gold)

  • How It Works: Buy cowhides from the Grand Exchange (GE), tan them into leather at the tanner in Al Kharid, and sell the leather for a profit. In F2P, this is a classic way to make money on OSRS with minimal effort.

  • Tips:

    • Use the Al Kharid bank to save time.

    • Buy cowhides in bulk during low-price periods on the GE.

    • For P2P players, upgrade to tanning dragonhides (requires 45 Crafting) for higher profits (up to 500k/hour).

Pro Tip: I remember my early days in Lumbridge, tanning hides to save for my first Rune Scimitar. It’s repetitive, but the steady GP feels like getting a paycheck!

Mining Rune Essence (F2P)

  • GP/Hour: 50k–100k

  • Requirements: None (Mining level 1)

  • How It Works: Mine rune or pure essence in the Essence Mine (teleport via Aubury in Varrock) and sell it on the GE. This is a low-effort way to make money in OSRS for F2P players.

  • Tips:

    • Use a pickaxe to speed up mining.

    • Bank at Varrock East for quick trips.

    • Pure essence (P2P) sells for more if you have membership.

Collecting Wine of Zamorak (F2P & P2P)

  • GP/Hour: 200k–400k

  • Requirements: 33 Magic (Telekinetic Grab), 20k starting GP

  • How It Works: Head to the Chaos Temple in level 38 Wilderness, use Telekinetic Grab to collect Wine of Zamorak without aggroing monks, and sell it on the GE.

  • Tips:

    • Bring a staff of air and law runes for teleports.

    • Watch out for PKers—stick to low-population worlds.

    • In P2P, use the Falador teleport for faster banking.

2. Mid-Level Money-Making Methods (P2P, Moderate Stats)

Got some skills under your belt? These methods offer better GP/hour and are great for players with moderate stats.

Flipping Items on the Grand Exchange

  • GP/Hour: 200k–1M+ (depends on investment)

  • Requirements: None (just starting capital, ideally 1M+)

  • How It Works: Buy low, sell high. Monitor GE prices for items like runes, potions, or armor, and flip them for profit. This is one of the most flexible ways to make money in OSRS without combat or skilling.

  • Tips:

    • Use tools like GE Tracker to spot trends.

    • Start with low-risk items like feathers or runes.

    • Be patient—flipping can take time but scales with your bank size.

Relatable Anecdote: I once flipped 10,000 yew logs over a weekend and made 500k profit while binge-watching a show. It felt like I was running a mini stock market!

Killing Green Dragons (P2P)

  • GP/Hour: 500k–800k

  • Requirements: 60+ Combat, 40+ Defense, Anti-dragon shield

  • How It Works: Head to the Wilderness (level 15–20) or Myths’ Guild (with 75+ Slayer) to kill green dragons. Loot their bones and hides for consistent profit.

  • Tips:

    • Use a looting bag to extend trips.

    • Bring a teleport (e.g., Games Necklace) for safety.

    • Watch for PKers in the Wilderness—stick to low-risk gear.

Crafting Nature Runes (P2P)

  • GP/Hour: 400k–600k

  • Requirements: 44 Runecrafting, 57+ Agility (for shortcuts)

  • How It Works: Use the Abyss to access the Nature Altar, craft nature runes from pure essence, and sell them on the GE.

  • Tips:

    • Complete the medium Ardougne Diary for a teleport to the altar.

    • Use pouches to carry more essence per trip.

    • Avoid PKers in the Abyss by hopping worlds.

3. High-Level Money-Making Methods (P2P, Advanced Stats)

For players with high skills or combat levels, these methods offer the biggest payouts but require more effort or risk.

Killing Vorkath (P2P)

  • GP/Hour: 1M–2M

  • Requirements: 90+ Combat, Dragon Slayer II, high Ranged/Magic

  • How It Works: Slay Vorkath on Fossil Island for valuable drops like dragon bones, hides, and unique items (e.g., Draconic Visage).

  • Tips:

    • Use a crossbow with diamond bolts (e) for high DPS.

    • Learn Vorkath’s attack patterns to minimize damage.

    • Bank at the Lunar Isle for quick resets.

Personal Insight: My first Vorkath kill was a disaster—I forgot my anti-fire potion and died in seconds. But after a few tries, I was banking millions per hour. Practice makes perfect!

Runecrafting Lava Runes (P2P)

  • GP/Hour: 800k–1.2M

  • Requirements: 82 Runecrafting, 82 Magic (Magic Imbue)

  • How It Works: Use the Fire Altar to craft lava runes with earth runes and talismans. This is a click-intensive but highly profitable method.

  • Tips:

    • Wear a Binding Necklace for 100% success on binds.

    • Use the Duel Ring to teleport to Castle Wars for banking.

    • Stock up on stamina potions to maintain run energy.

Farming Raids (Chambers of Xeric)

  • GP/Hour: 1.5M–3M+

  • Requirements: 90+ Combat, high skilling stats, raid experience

  • How It Works: Join a team to tackle the Chambers of Xeric, looting valuable items like the Twisted Bow or Dragon Claws.

  • Tips:

    • Join a clan or Discord for experienced raid teams.

    • Invest in high-tier gear (e.g., Bandos, Armadyl) for better clears.

    • Learn roles like scouting or DPS to maximize rewards.

4. Passive Money-Making Methods for OSRS

Want to make money in OSRS while barely lifting a finger? These passive methods are perfect for players who want to earn GP on the side.

Managing Miscellania

  • GP/Hour: 50k–150k (daily)

  • Requirements: Throne of Miscellania quest, 100k+ starting gold

  • How It Works: Invest gold in the Miscellania kingdom and assign workers to gather resources (e.g., herbs, logs). Collect profits daily.

  • Tips:

    • Maintain high approval rating by doing tasks like fishing or mining.

    • Focus workers on herbs or teak logs for max profit.

    • Check back every 1–2 days for best returns.

Birdhouse Runs

  • GP/Hour: 100k–200k (every 50 minutes)

  • Requirements: 5 Hunter, Bone Voyage quest

  • How It Works: Build birdhouses on Fossil Island, fill them with seeds, and collect bird nests after 50 minutes.

  • Tips:

    • Use digsite pendants for quick teleports.

    • Stock up on hop seeds for cheap runs.

    • Combine with herb runs for extra efficiency.

Tips to Maximize Your OSRS Money-Making

No matter which method you choose, these tips will help you stack GP faster:

  1. Use the Grand Exchange Wisely: Always check GE prices before buying or selling. Tools like OSRS Wiki’s Money Making Guide can help you find profitable opportunities.

  2. Complete Quests for Efficiency: Quests like Fremennik Trials or Song of the Elves unlock teleports and areas that save time.

  3. Invest in Gear and Stats: Higher stats and better gear (e.g., Dragon Pickaxe, Graceful Outfit) boost your GP/hour.

  4. Join a Community: Clans and Discord servers offer tips, raid teams, and market insights. I’ve learned some of my best tricks from veteran players!

  5. Diversify Your Methods: Combine active methods (e.g., Vorkath) with passive ones (e.g., Miscellania) to keep the gold flowing.

Common Mistakes to Avoid When Making Money in OSRS

  • Falling for Scams: Beware of “doubling money” scams or shady GE trades. Trust your gut and stick to legit methods.

  • Overinvesting in Gear: Don’t blow your bank on a single item—balance upgrades with profit-making.

  • Ignoring Efficiency: Time is money in OSRS. Use teleports, stamina potions, and diaries to cut down on travel time.

  • Burning Out: Grinding can be tedious. Mix up methods to keep the game fun—I once spent a week tanning hides and nearly quit!

FAQ: Your Top Questions About Money Making in OSRS

Q: What’s the fastest way to make money in OSRS as a beginner?
A: Tanning leather or collecting Wine of Zamorak are great starter methods, offering 100k–400k GP/hour with minimal requirements.

Q: Can I make money in OSRS without membership?
A: Absolutely! F2P methods like mining rune essence or tanning cowhides can net you 50k–300k GP/hour.

Q: Is flipping on the GE risky?
A: Flipping is low-risk if you start small and use tools like GE Tracker to monitor prices. Avoid investing your entire bank in one item.

Q: How do I afford an OSRS bond?
A: With methods like killing green dragons (500k–800k/hour), you can earn enough for a bond (around 5–6M GP) in a few hours.

Q: What’s the best high-level money-making method in 2025?
A: Vorkath and Chambers of Xeric offer 1M–3M+ GP/hour for skilled players with high stats and gear.

Call to Action

Ready to start stacking GP like a pro? Pick one of the methods above and give it a try! Let me know in the comments which OSRS money-making method you’re grinding or if you have any hot tips to share. For more guides, check out our OSRS Skilling Guide or join a community on Discord to team up for raids. Happy grinding, and may your coin pouch always be full!