Best AFK Money Making Methods in OSRS for 2025

Old School RuneScape (OSRS) is a grind-heavy game, but not every gold-making method requires constant clicking. AFK (away-from-keyboard) money-making lets you earn gold with minimal effort, perfect for players juggling work, study, or just wanting a more relaxed experience. In this guide, we’ll explore the best AFK money-making methods in OSRS for 2025, focusing on profitability, accessibility, and ease. Whether you’re a free-to-play (F2P) newbie or a pay-to-play (P2P) veteran, there’s something here for you.

AFK methods allow you to progress in OSRS without being glued to your screen. These techniques are ideal for multitasking, whether you’re catching up on a show or handling real-world tasks. While they may not yield millions per hour like high-intensity PvM, they offer steady income with low effort. Most methods also train skills, giving you experience alongside gold. Let’s dive into the top strategies.

Benefits of AFK Money Making

Time Efficiency: Earn gold while doing other tasks.
Skill Progression: Many methods level up skills like Fishing, Mining, or Crafting.
Low Risk: Minimal chance of dying or losing gear compared to bossing.
Accessibility: Options available for F2P and low-level players.

Fishing for Profit: A Classic AFK Method

TOP 5 AFK Money Making Methods Old School Runescape YouTube

Fishing is one of the most AFK-friendly skills in OSRS, offering decent gold and experience. You can set up your character to fish and check back periodically, making it a staple for passive income.

Sacred Eels (P2P)

Fishing sacred eels in Zulandra is a fantastic P2P method. You use a knife to extract Zulrah’s scales from the eels, which are stackable and sell well on the Grand Exchange. The fishing spots move every minute, requiring minimal interaction.

Requirements: 87 Fishing, completion of Regicide (56 Agility, 10 Crafting, 25 Ranged).
Profit: ~300k-440k GP/hour (scales with Fishing level).
Pro Tip: Wear weight-reducing gear and bring food for longer sessions.

Monkfish (P2P)

For mid-level players, monkfish are a solid choice. They’re less profitable than sacred eels but easier to access. The Swan Song quest unlocks this method, and the fishing spots are static, making it highly AFK.

Requirements: 62 Fishing, completion of Swan Song.
Profit: ~100k-150k GP/hour.
Pro Tip: Use the Piscatoris Fishing Colony bank to minimize travel time.

Trout (F2P)

F2P players can fish trout in rivers like Barbarian Village. It’s not the most lucrative, but it’s completely AFK and requires no investment beyond a fishing rod and feathers.

Requirements: 20 Fishing.
Profit: ~30k-50k GP/hour.
Pro Tip: Cook the trout for Cooking XP and slightly higher profit.

Mining: Slow but Steady Gold

Mining is another skill that lends itself to AFK money-making. Ore deposits that don’t deplete quickly allow you to swing your pickaxe for extended periods, racking up resources and gold.

Amethyst Mining (P2P)

Amethyst mining in the Mining Guild is a top-tier AFK method for high-level players. Amethyst crystals are slow to deplete, and you can chisel them into stackable bolt tips for extra profit.

Requirements: 92 Mining, completion of Elite Falador Diary.
Profit: ~200k-300k GP/hour (more if crafting bolt tips).
Pro Tip: Use Varrock Armour 4 and Expert Mining Gloves for efficiency.

Salt Mining (P2P)

Mining salts in the Salt Mine under Weiss is great for mid-level players. The salts are stackable, so you don’t need to bank often, and the deposits rarely deplete.

Requirements: 72 Mining, completion of Making Friends with My Arm.
Profit: ~150k-200k GP/hour.
Pro Tip: Use a Rune or Crystal Pickaxe for faster mining.

Iron Ore (F2P)

F2P players can mine iron ore in spots like Al Kharid or the Mining Guild (if accessible). It’s simple, requires no quests, and sells decently on the Grand Exchange.

Requirements: 15 Mining.
Profit: ~40k-60k GP/hour.
Pro Tip: World-hop to avoid crowded spots.

Crafting and Smithing: Profitable Production

Production skills like Crafting and Smithing offer AFK methods that combine gold-making with skill training. These are ideal for players with some starting capital.

Gold Amulets (F2P)

Crafting gold amulets is a straightforward F2P method. You smelt gold bars into amulets at a furnace, then sell them for profit. It’s semi-AFK, as you can craft a full inventory before banking.

Requirements: 8 Crafting.
Profit: ~50k-80k GP/hour.
Pro Tip: Use Al Kharid’s furnace for proximity to a bank.

Cannonballs (P2P)

Smithing cannonballs is one of the most AFK tasks in OSRS. It takes about 2.5 minutes per inventory, and cannonballs are always in demand due to Slayer and PvM.

Requirements: 35 Smithing, completion of Dwarf Cannon.
Profit: ~100k-150k GP/hour.
Pro Tip: Check Grand Exchange prices to ensure profitability.

Combat-Based AFK Money Making

For players who prefer combat, certain Slayer tasks and monsters allow AFK money-making. These methods require decent gear and stats but can be highly rewarding.

Brutal Black Dragons (P2P)

Killing brutal black dragons in the Catacombs of Kourend is a lucrative AFK method. Their drops, like dragonhides and bones, sell well, and the task is low-effort with the right setup.

Requirements: 77 Slayer, Dragon Hunter Crossbow recommended.
Profit: ~300k-500k GP/hour.
Pro Tip: Use Protect from Magic and Extended Antifire to stay safe.

Gargoyles (P2P)

Gargoyles are a Slayer monster with valuable alchable drops. They’re aggressive, allowing you to AFK with auto-retaliate, and their loot table makes them profitable.

Requirements: 75 Slayer, completion of Priest in Peril.
Profit: ~200k-300k GP/hour.
Pro Tip: Bring a Rock Hammer for finishing blows.

Ogress Shamans (F2P)

F2P players can kill ogress shamans in the Corsair Cove Dungeon. Their drops include runes, gems, and coins, making them a decent low-level combat option.

Requirements: Completion of The Corsair Curse, 40 Combat recommended.
Profit: ~50k-80k GP/hour.
Pro Tip: Use melee to save on ammo costs.

Miscellaneous AFK Methods

Beyond skilling and combat, other methods offer unique AFK opportunities. These often require specific quests or setups but can be highly effective.

Kingdom of Miscellania (P2P)

Managing the Kingdom of Miscellania is the ultimate passive income method. After investing gold, your workers collect resources like herbs or logs, which you can sell.

Requirements: Completion of Throne of Miscellania and Royal Trouble.
Profit: ~50k-100k GP/day (after initial investment).
Pro Tip: Maintain high approval and focus workers on profitable resources.

Grinding Chocolate Bars (F2P)

Grinding chocolate bars into dust is a niche F2P method. It’s repetitive but requires no skills and can be done AFK if you let the game auto-grind.

Requirements: None (pestle and mortar needed).
Profit: ~100k-200k GP/hour (non-AFK), ~50k AFK.
Pro Tip: Monitor Grand Exchange prices, as margins fluctuate.

Method	Type	Requirements	Profit (GP/hour)	F2P/P2P
Sacred Eels	Fishing	87 Fishing, Regicide	300k-440k	P2P
Amethyst Mining	Mining	92 Mining, Elite Falador Diary	200k-300k	P2P
Cannonballs	Smithing	35 Smithing, Dwarf Cannon	100k-150k	P2P
Brutal Black Dragons	Combat	77 Slayer, gear	300k-500k	P2P
Gold Amulets	Crafting	8 Crafting	50k-80k	F2P

Final Thoughts: AFK money-making in OSRS is all about balancing profit with convenience. Methods like sacred eels and brutal black dragons shine for P2P players, while F2P options like gold amulets and trout fishing are great for beginners. Always check Grand Exchange prices before starting, as the OSRS economy shifts daily. Experiment with these methods to find what fits your playstyle, and you’ll be stacking gold without breaking a sweat.