Beginner Money Making in OSRS: Top Methods for New Players in 2025
Starting your journey in Old School RuneScape (OSRS) can feel overwhelming, especially when it comes to making money as a beginner. Gold pieces (GP) are the lifeblood of the game, letting you buy gear, supplies, and even membership bonds. For new players, the challenge is finding reliable, low-requirement methods to build a solid cash stack without high skills or expensive equipment. In this guide, we’ll explore the best beginner money-making methods in OSRS for 2025, perfect for free-to-play (F2P) and early pay-to-play (P2P) adventurers. Whether you’re fresh off Tutorial Island or just looking to fund your next quest, these strategies will help you get started.
As a new player, your focus might be on leveling skills or completing quests, but having some GP in your pocket makes everything smoother. From buying better armor to speeding up training, a little wealth goes a long way. The good news? You don’t need maxed stats or millions of GP to start earning. These beginner-friendly methods are designed to be accessible, low-risk, and profitable, setting you up for bigger opportunities down the road.
Start Small, Win Big
Early-game money making is all about simplicity. You won’t be slaying dragons or flipping rare items yet, but small, consistent profits add up fast. The key is to pick methods that match your current level and playstyle, then reinvest your earnings into more lucrative ventures.
Top F2P Money-Making Methods for Beginners
Free-to-play worlds are where most players begin, and while they have limitations, there are still plenty of ways to make GP without a membership. Here are some of the best F2P methods for 2025, requiring minimal skills and no upfront investment.
Collecting Cowhides in Lumbridge
One of the simplest ways to make money as a beginner is by collecting cowhides. Cows are plentiful in Lumbridge, and their hides sell decently on the Grand Exchange (GE).
- Location: Lumbridge cow field
- Requirements: None
- Method: Kill cows, collect hides, bank them in Lumbridge Castle, and sell on the GE
- Profit: ~50k-70k GP/hour
Pro tip: Complete the Prince Ali Rescue quest to pass the Al Kharid gate for free, then tan the hides into leather at the tanner for extra profit (1 GP per hide).
Mining and Selling Iron Ore
Mining is a classic F2P skill that doubles as a money maker. Iron ore is in steady demand and easy to mine with low requirements.
- Location: Varrock East Mine or Al Kharid Mine
- Requirements: Level 15 Mining (optional but faster)
- Method: Mine iron ore, bank it, and sell on the GE
- Profit: ~60k-80k GP/hour
This method also trains your Mining skill, opening doors to better ores like coal later on.
Crafting Gold Jewelry
Crafting gold jewelry offers a mix of profit and XP, making it a great choice for beginners with a small cash stack.
- Location: Edgeville Furnace (close to a bank)
- Requirements: Level 5 Crafting, gold bars, necklace mould
- Method: Buy gold bars from the GE, craft gold necklaces, and sell them back
- Profit: ~80k-100k GP/hour
Check GE prices before starting, as margins can fluctuate. This method scales well as you level Crafting.
Early P2P Money-Making Methods for New Members
Once you grab a membership (via a bond or real money), the money-making options explode. These P2P methods are beginner-friendly and don’t require high stats, making them perfect for new members in 2025.
Tanning Leather in Al Kharid
Tanning leather is a low-effort, high-reward method that scales with your starting cash.
- Location: Al Kharid tannery
- Requirements: Some starting GP (50k-100k recommended)
- Method: Buy cowhides on the GE, tan them into leather at Ellis the tanner, and sell
- Profit: ~150k-200k GP/hour
For P2P players, you can upgrade to dragonhides (e.g., green or blue) as your bank grows, boosting profits to 500k+ GP/hour.
Birdhouse Runs on Fossil Island
Birdhouse runs are a passive, low-requirement way to earn GP while training Hunter.
- Location: Fossil Island
- Requirements: Bone Voyage quest, 5 Hunter, logs, seeds
- Method: Set up birdhouses, wait 50 minutes, collect nests, and sell
- Profit: ~100k-150k GP per run (2-3 runs/hour)
This method is semi-AFK and stacks with other activities, making it a favorite for early-game players.
Combat-Based Money Making for Beginners
If you enjoy combat, there are beginner-friendly monsters that drop valuable loot. These methods work in both F2P and P2P, though P2P offers better rewards.
Killing Chaos Druids in Taverley Dungeon
Chaos Druids are a P2P staple for low-level players, dropping herbs and runes that sell well.
- Location: Taverley Dungeon
- Requirements: Combat level 20+, membership
- Method: Kill Chaos Druids, loot herbs (e.g., ranarr), bank in Falador, and sell
- Profit: ~180k-200k GP/hour
Use a Falador teleport to speed up banking. Watch out for their low-level magic attacks if your combat stats are still fresh.
F2P Ogress Shamans in Corsair Cove
For F2P players with some combat experience, Ogress Shamans offer decent drops without membership.
- Location: Corsair Cove Dungeon
- Requirements: Combat level 40+, Corsair Curse quest
- Method: Kill Ogress Shamans, collect rune items and gems, sell on GE
- Profit: ~100k-150k GP/hour
Melee is cheapest here, but bring food to tank their hits if your Defense is low.
Scaling Up: Using Your Earnings Wisely
Once you’ve made your first 500k-1M GP, it’s time to think bigger. Reinvesting your profits can unlock more efficient methods and accelerate your wealth-building.
Flipping Items on the Grand Exchange
Flipping involves buying low and selling high on the GE. It’s low-effort and scales with your cash stack.
- Location: Grand Exchange
- Requirements: Starting GP (500k+ recommended), patience
- Method: Test items (e.g., feathers, runes), buy below market price, sell above
- Profit: ~100k-300k GP/hour (varies)
Start small and track prices daily. High-volume items like logs or ores are safe bets for beginners.
Shop Running: Beer in Varlamore
With the Varlamore update, buying beer from a pub and selling it elsewhere is a quirky but profitable method.
- Location: Quetzacalli Gorge pub in Varlamore
- Requirements: Children of the Sun quest, 100k GP
- Method: Buy beer cheap, sell to GE or shops, repeat
- Profit: ~200k-300k GP/hour
The pub’s infinite stock makes this a reliable option—just watch GE margins.
Quick Reference: Beginner Money-Making Table
| Method | F2P/P2P | Requirements | Profit (GP/hour) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cowhides | F2P | None | 50k-70k |
| Iron Ore Mining | F2P | 15 Mining (optional) | 60k-80k |
| Gold Jewelry | F2P | 5 Crafting, gold bars | 80k-100k |
| Tanning Leather | P2P | 50k-100k GP | 150k-200k |
| Birdhouse Runs | P2P | Bone Voyage, 5 Hunter | 100k-150k/run |
| Chaos Druids | P2P | Combat 20+ | 180k-200k |
| Ogress Shamans | F2P | Combat 40+, Corsair Curse | 100k-150k |
Tips for Success
- Combine Methods: Do birdhouse runs while mining or tanning for extra GP.
- Check Prices: Use the GE to ensure profitability before committing.
- Upgrade Gear: Spend early profits on a better pickaxe, weapon, or teleports.
With these beginner money-making methods, you’ll be well on your way to funding your OSRS adventures. Start small, stay consistent, and watch your bank grow. What’s your favorite way to make GP as a newbie? Let us know, and happy scaping!