Early Money Making in OSRS Beginner Friendly Methods for Fast Gold

Early Money Making in OSRS Beginner Friendly Methods for Fast Gold

Starting your journey in Old School RuneScape (OSRS) can feel overwhelming, especially when gold pieces (GP) are scarce, and you’re eager to gear up or buy that first bond. Early money-making is crucial for new players to overcome the initial grind and unlock the game’s vast potential. Whether you’re a free-to-play (F2P) adventurer or a member (P2P), this guide dives into low-requirement, beginner-friendly methods to stack your bank with gold fast. From skilling to simple gathering, we’ll cover practical strategies that don’t demand high stats or hours of preparation, optimized for 2025’s economy.

In OSRS, gold is the backbone of progress. It buys better gear, supplies for skilling, and even membership via bonds. For new players, earning GP early sets the foundation for tackling quests, training skills, or exploring high-level content later. The best early methods are accessible, low-risk, and teach you the game’s economy—like the Grand Exchange (GE)—while you profit. Let’s explore the top ways to make gold with minimal requirements.

Free-to-Play Money Making Methods

Oldschool Runescape OSRS Money Making Method 1000k an hour YouTube

F2P players face restrictions but still have solid options to earn gold without spending real money. These methods require little to no skills and are perfect for fresh accounts.

Tanning Cowhides in Al-Kharid

One of the most iconic F2P money makers is tanning cowhides. Cows are easy to kill, and their hides turn into valuable leather.

  • Location: Lumbridge cow fields for gathering, Al-Kharid for tanning.
  • Requirements: None, though 10 GP for the Lumbridge-Al-Kharid gate helps (or complete Prince Ali Rescue for free passage).
  • Method: Kill cows to collect cowhides, bank them in Lumbridge, then take them to Ellis the tanner in Al-Kharid. Pay 1 GP per hide to tan into soft leather or 3 GP for hard leather.
  • Profit: Soft leather sells for ~150 GP each, with cowhides at ~100 GP. Expect 100k-200k GP/hour depending on speed.

Tip: Use a staff of air for free runes if fighting cows, and bank hides until you have a full inventory to tan.

Collecting and Selling Wine of Zamorak

Wine of Zamorak, used in Herblore, is a great F2P method with a magical twist.

  • Location: Chaos Temple north of Falador.
  • Requirements: 33 Magic for Telekinetic Grab (or 20 Magic with Wizard’s Mind Bomb).
  • Method: Cast Telekinetic Grab to snag Wine of Zamorak from the altar without angering monks. Bank in Falador and sell on the GE.
  • Profit: Each wine sells for ~1,200 GP, yielding 100k-150k GP/hour.

Tip: Bring law and air runes, and watch for PKers in multi-combat zones.

Mining and Selling Ores

Mining is a straightforward way to earn gold while training a core skill.

  • Location: Lumbridge Swamp or Varrock Southeast Mine.
  • Requirements: None (bronze pickaxe is free from Bob’s Axes).
  • Method: Mine copper or tin (no level needed) or iron (level 15 Mining). Bank and sell on the GE.
  • Profit: Iron ore sells for ~100 GP each, with ~50k-100k GP/hour at low levels.

Tip: Upgrade to a steel pickaxe at 6 Mining for faster mining.

Members-Only Early Money Making

P2P players unlock a broader range of methods with better profits, even at low levels. Membership costs can be offset by buying a bond with in-game gold, making these methods appealing.

Spinning Flax into Bowstrings

Spinning flax is a classic P2P method that’s simple and profitable.

  • Location: Seers’ Village or Lumbridge Castle.
  • Requirements: 10 Crafting (train by making leather gear).
  • Method: Buy flax (~4 GP each) from the GE, spin it into bowstrings at a spinning wheel, and sell (~100 GP each).
  • Profit: ~200k-300k GP/hour with steady spinning.

Tip: Use Lumbridge Castle’s bank and spinning wheel for efficiency.

Collecting Mort Myre Fungi

This method combines exploration and profit in the spooky Mort Myre Swamp.

  • Location: Mort Myre Swamp (start Nature Spirit quest).
  • Requirements: Druid pouch, prayer points for Bloom spell.
  • Method: Use Bloom to spawn fungi on logs, collect, and sell (~1,500 GP each).
  • Profit: ~300k-400k GP/hour with good pacing.

Tip: Bring prayer potions to sustain Bloom casts.

Combat-Based Money Making for Beginners

Combat methods are exciting and profitable, even with low stats. These focus on safe, easy targets for new players.

Killing Chaos Druids

Chaos Druids drop valuable herbs, making them a beginner favorite.

  • Location: Taverley Dungeon or Edgeville Dungeon (P2P).
  • Requirements: 10-20 Combat (melee or ranged).
  • Method: Kill druids, collect herbs (like ranarr or toadflax), and sell on the GE.
  • Profit: ~200k-300k GP/hour, plus combat XP.

Tip: Bring a looting bag (P2P) to extend trips.

Fighting Chickens for Feathers

Chickens are a low-risk way to profit while training combat.

  • Location: Lumbridge or Falador farms (F2P).
  • Requirements: None (any weapon works).
  • Method: Kill chickens, collect feathers (~15 GP each), and sell in bulk.
  • Profit: ~50k-100k GP/hour, steady but slow.

Tip: Bank feathers until you have thousands for better GE sales.

Using the Grand Exchange for Passive Profit

The Grand Exchange is your ticket to low-effort gold through flipping and investing, even as a beginner.

Basic Item Flipping

Flipping means buying low and selling high on the GE.

  • Requirements: 100k-500k GP to start, GE access (7 quest points or 24 hours played for F2P).
  • Method: Check prices for items like runes, feathers, or logs using GE Tracker. Buy below market price, sell above.
  • Profit: ~50k-200k GP/hour with small margins.

Tip: Start with high-volume items to avoid long wait times.

Investing in Event Items

OSRS events often spike item prices, offering profit opportunities.

  • Requirements: Some GP and market awareness.
  • Method: Buy event-related items (e.g., holiday rewards) before prices rise, hold, and sell later.
  • Profit: Varies, potentially 500k+ GP per flip.

Tip: Follow Jagex blogs for update hints to predict demand.

Tips to Maximize Early Profits

Early money-making is about efficiency and strategy. Here’s how to get the most out of your efforts:

  • Bank Everything: Don’t sell small stacks; wait for bulk to save GE trips.
  • Train While Earning: Choose methods like tanning or spinning to level skills alongside profits.
  • Use Teleports: Amulets of glory or rings of dueling (P2P) speed up banking.
  • Track Prices: Use GE Tracker to avoid losses from price swings.
  • Quest Early: Quests like Prince Ali Rescue or Nature Spirit unlock profitable areas.
Method F2P/P2P Requirements Profit/Hour
Tanning Cowhides F2P None 100k-200k GP
Wine of Zamorak F2P 33 Magic 100k-150k GP
Spinning Flax P2P 10 Crafting 200k-300k GP
Chaos Druids P2P 10-20 Combat 200k-300k GP
Flipping Items F2P/P2P 100k GP 50k-200k GP

Final Thoughts: Early money-making in OSRS doesn’t have to be a grind. By focusing on simple methods like tanning, spinning, or flipping, you can build a solid gold stack to fuel your adventures. Mix skilling, combat, and GE strategies to keep things fun while learning the game. Check prices regularly, as the OSRS economy shifts, and soon you’ll be funding bonds or shiny new gear. Which method will you try first? Share your progress in the comments!