Best Money Making Strategies Low Level OSRS

You know that feeling when you’re staring at your empty coin pouch in Lumbridge, wondering how you’ll ever afford that rune scimitar or a decent set of armor? I’ve been there more times than I can count. Back when I first started OSRS, I was this wide-eyed noob with stats in the single digits, scraping by on chicken drops and the occasional herb from a bush. Fast forward a decade, and now I’m the guy who’s maxed everything twice over, but I still remember those early days like they were yesterday. If you’re a low-level player hunting for the best money making spots in OSRS, you’re in the right place. Today, we’re diving deep into methods that won’t require you to sell your soul or grind for months. These are real, tested ways to stack gold without needing 70+ combat or a bank full of BiS gear.

Think about it: why waste hours killing goblins for 10gp each when you could be raking in hundreds of thousands per hour? I’ll share my personal stories, the pitfalls I fell into, and the tweaks that turned my broke runs into profit machines. Whether you’re F2P or just dipped into membership, these low-level gems will get you funded fast. Let’s jump right in and turn that poverty into power.

Low-level money making in OSRS isn’t just about survival; it’s about building momentum. Early game, every gold piece feels like a lifeline. I recall my first real haul: I was level 20 something, sitting in the Varrock palace, tanning hides like my life depended on it. That method alone bought me my first full iron set and a stack of arrows for training. The beauty of these strategies? They’re accessible. No quests with massive prereqs, no risky PKers breathing down your neck, just straightforward grinding that pays off.

But here’s a question for you: what’s holding you back from starting today? Is it the fear of wasting time on a method that flops? Don’t sweat it. Prices shift with the Grand Exchange, sure, but the core ideas here have stood the test of time, even into 2025 with all the new updates. Jagex keeps tweaking the meta, but lowbies like us? We stick to the classics that still print money.

In this post, we’ll cover skilling hustles, combat grinds, and even a bit of merchanting magic. I’ll throw in tables for quick comparisons, lists to break it down, and bold the key stats so you can skim if you’re in a rush. By the end, you’ll have a roadmap to your first million. Sound good? Let’s roll.

Top Skilling Methods That Won’t Break the Bank

Skilling is where most low-level players shine because it doesn’t demand fancy weapons or armor. You just need patience and a spot near a bank. I spent my first 100 hours chopping willows in Draynor, and let me tell you, it wasn’t glamorous, but it funded my entire early account. These methods are perfect if you’re under level 40 in your skills and want steady, AFK-ish income.

Tanning and Crafting Hides for Quick Cash

Ah, tanning hides. This one’s a rite of passage. Head to the tanner in Al Kharid, buy cowhides from the GE (they’re cheap, like 200gp each right now), tan ’em into soft leather, and craft into gloves or boots. Sell the lot back on the exchange.

Why does it work so well? Demand for leather never dies, thanks to crafters and questers. In my early days, I did this for hours while watching TV, netting about 150k gp per hour. Not bad for zero risk.

Pros and cons at a glance:

One tip from experience: always check the GE margins before buying in bulk. I once overbought hides during a price dip and flipped them for double when crafters went nuts. Small paragraph win.

Mining and Smelting: The Ironman Starter Pack

Mining. Oh boy, where do I begin? I HATED it at first. Pickaxe clanging against rocks, inventory filling with junk ores. But then I hit level 15 and started smelting iron bars at the Edgeville furnace. Boom, instant seller’s market.

For low levels, stick to iron ore from the Varrock mine. Mine ’em, smelt into bars, sell. It’s about 50k gp an hour at base, but if you superheat with magic (even low-level fire spells), you bump it to 100k while training Magic too.

Ever wondered why iron bars are always in demand? Smiths eat them up for training. I remember banking 500k in a weekend this way, enough for my first rune ess haul. Here’s a quick list of essentials:

• Iron pickaxe: Buy for 100gp in Lumbridge.
• Edgeville teleport tabs: Saves running time.
• Nature runes: For superheat if you’re feeling fancy.
• Bucket of water: To cool off those burns, ha.

Long story short, this method scaled me from broke to buying my first bond. If you’re F2P, it’s even better since no membership walls.

Woodcutting: Chopping Your Way to Wealth

Let’s talk trees. Willow logs, to be exact. Draynor Village bank is your hub. Level 15 Woodcutting? You’re golden. Chop, drop, repeat, and sell the logs for feathers money.

I did this obsessively as a teen, listening to podcasts, and pulled 80k an hour easy. In 2025, with Forestry events popping up more, you might snag bonus anima-infused logs for extra gp.

Question: Hate the clicky-click? Use the royal crown from Ardougne diary for double rates later on. Short answer: Yes, it’s worth the diary grind.

Profit breakdown table:

Bold truth: Woodcutting feels slow, but it’s the foundation. I funded my 99 this way, one log at a time.

Combat Grinds That Actually Pay Off

Combat? Now we’re talking action. Low-level doesn’t mean goblin slaying forever. I transitioned from chickens to cows around level 20, and it was a game-changer. These spots give loot, XP, and gold without needing prayer pots or ancient magicks.

Cow Killing: The Ultimate Beginner Boss

Cows. Giant, mooing ATMs. Lumbridge east farm, kill ’em, bank hides and raw beef. Tan the hides as I mentioned earlier for double dip.

My first big score? A weekend of cow runs netted me 300k, enough for full steel and a glory amulet. Hourly? 100k-150k if you butcher efficiently.

Pro tip: Use a brass key for the Falador shield shop shortcut. Cuts banking time in half. Ever died to a cow? Me neither, but watch for those random guards.

List of loot highlights:

• Cowhides: 150gp each, stack ’em high.
• Raw beef: Sell to cooks or cook yourself for extra.
• Bones: Bury for prayer XP or sell.
• Rare drops: Cow top, but that’s unicorn stuff.

This method’s so reliable, I still recommend it to ironmen friends.

Hill Giants: Big Boys, Bigger Profits

Falador castle basement. Hill Giants. Level 25 combat? Dive in. They drop big bones (300gp) and limpwurt roots (1k each!). I farmed here for weeks, banking roots like they were gold bars.

Profit: 200k-300k per hour. Why? Those roots are herb run gold. I traded a stack once for a full rune set. Insane.

Gear setup for noobs:

• Weapon: Iron scim or mace.
• Armor: Iron full helm, platebody, plateskirt.
• Food: Trout from river fishing.
• Inventory: 20 lobsters if you splurge, else bread.

Question: Scared of the dungeon? Short answer: Nah, it’s safe as houses. Long ramble: I got PKed once by a level 3 skiller (glitch, right?), but generally, it’s chill. Use the gnome glider to Falador for quick access.

Giant Mole: Your First Taste of Bossing

Okay, this one’s a step up, but hear me out. Giant Mole under Falador park. Level 40 combat ish, but I’ve done it at 30 with pots. Drops: Mole skin/claws for clues, and herb seeds galore.

I unlocked this after a lucky clue scroll, and it became my secret weapon. 300k-500k per hour if you learn the digs. Spade and light source mandatory.

From personal fails: First kill, I forgot my spade and dug myself into a wall. Laughed for days. Now? It’s muscle memory.

Mole prep checklist:

• Spade and rope.
• Dusty key for shortcuts (quest it).
• Prayer pots if you’re pious.
• Good food: Salmon or better.

Table of drops worth noting:

Bold claim: Giant Mole is the gateway drug to bossing riches. Start here, end at Vorkath.

Merchanting and Flipping: The Lazy Lowbie Hustle

Not into clicking rocks or stabbing cows? Try the Grand Exchange. Flipping items low buy, high sell. I started with 10k gp flipping logs, turned it into 100k in a day.

For low levels, focus on low-margin items like feathers or bronze arrows. Watch the graphs, buy dips, sell peaks.

Question: Need starting cash? Answer: Bond a friend or quest for it. It’s risky, but I flipped my way to my first 1m without lifting a pickaxe.

Tips in a list:

• Use GE tracker apps (off-game).
• Start small: 50k max risk.
• Items to flip: Coal, iron ore, soft clay.
• Patience key: Margins over volume.

This one’s conversational gold: Ever seen a 20% margin on runes? I have, and it paid for a month of bonds.

Mixing It Up: Hybrid Methods for Max Gains

Why pick one when you can combo? I loved fishing shrimp while tanning nearby. Or mining while waiting on flips.

One hybrid I swear by: Collect cowhides, tan, then high-alch the leather for Magic XP and instant cash. Level 55 Magic? You’re at 200k per hour.

Short para: It’s efficient. Long para: Picture this: You’re in Al Kharid, alching stack after stack, the zap sound echoing, gold flooding in. I did this during a heatwave, AC blasting, and funded my summer vacay (okay, bonds for vacay). In 2025, with alch prices stable, it’s better than ever. Throw in some Runecrafting air runes if you’re bold, and you’re diversifying like a pro.

Hybrid profit table:

Common Mistakes I Made and How to Dodge Them

Listen, I’ve botched plenty. Like buying 10k hides without checking buy limits. Or forgetting to bank during a Mole run and losing loot. Rookie stuff.

Avoid: Overcommitting to one method. Rotate to beat boredom. And always, ALWAYS track GE prices daily. Apps like RuneLite help.

Question: Burned out yet? Short answer: Take breaks. Long advice: OSRS is a marathon. I burned out once ignoring that, quit for a month. Came back stronger, diversified, and hit my first 100m bank.

Bold warning: Don’t buy gold. Bans ruin accounts. Grind smart, not shady.

Wrapping It Up: Your Path to OSRS Riches Starts Now

There you have it, fellow lowbie legend. From tanning hides in the desert heat to dodging Mole claws underground, these best money making low level OSRS strategies turned my noob tears into a fat pouch. I started with nothing but dreams and a free account, and now? Multiple max capes later, I’m still grinding for fun.

What’s your first move? Cow farm or willow chop? Drop a comment if you’ve got a twist on these. Remember, consistency beats intensity every time. Gear up, log in, and let’s make that gold rain. Gielinor awaits your empire.