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Fastest Way to 99 Crafting in OSRS A Complete Guide

Getting to 99 Crafting in Old School RuneScape (OSRS) is a grind, but it’s one of those skills that feels so rewarding once you hit that max level. As someone who’s been playing OSRS for years, I’ve gone through the pain of training Crafting, experimenting with methods, blowing through gold, and finally nailing down the fastest routes. If you’re aiming to get that shiny Crafting cape as quickly as possible, this guide is for you. I’ll break down the best methods, share my personal experiences, and throw in some tips to save your sanity (and your gold). Let’s dive in!
Crafting isn’t just about making pretty jewelry or armor—it’s a core skill in OSRSAnywhere. It unlocks powerful items like the Slayer helmet (level 55), Slayer rings (level 75), and the divine rune pouch (level 75). Plus, for Ironmen, it’s a must for creating jewelry like the Amulet of Glory or Games Necklace. Oh, and that Crafting cape? It gives you a teleport to the Crafting Guild, which is super handy for banking.
But why go for the fastest route? Well, Crafting can be a gold sink, and the quicker methods usually mean less time grinding. I remember when I was pushing for 99, I wanted it done fast so I could focus on other skills. The faster you get there, the sooner you can enjoy those sweet rewards. Ready to get started? Let’s talk about the best ways to level up.
Starting Off Levels 1-20
Quests for Early Levels
Before you start crafting, knock out a few quests to get a head start. Sheep Shearer (150 XP), Goblin Diplomacy (200 XP), and Misthalin Mystery (600 XP) give you enough experience to hit level 8 right away. I always do these on new accounts because they’re quick and save you from some early grinding. Have you done these quests yet? If not, they’re worth the 20 minutes.
Leather Armor for Beginners
From level 1 to 20, crafting leather armor is a solid choice. You’ll need cowhides, thread, and a needle. Turn the hides into leather at a tanner (5 coins per hide), then craft items like leather gloves (13.75 XP each) or leather chaps (27 XP each). I used to sit in the Lumbridge bank, chatting with friends while crafting leather armor. It’s cheap, and you can sell the items back to break even or lose just a bit of gold.
Item |
Level Required |
XP per Item |
Approx. Cost per XP |
---|---|---|---|
Leather Gloves |
1 |
13.75 |
~2-3 GP |
Leather Chaps |
11 |
27 |
~2-3 GP |
Tip: Use the Edgeville tanner for quick access. It’s close to a bank, so you can churn through hides faster.
Fastest Methods Levels 20-99
Once you hit level 20, things get serious. The fastest Crafting methods are expensive, but they’ll get you to 99 in record time. Here’s what worked for me and what the community swears by.
Cutting Gems Levels 20-62
Cutting gems is one of the fastest ways to gain Crafting XP from level 20. You’ll need uncut gems like sapphires, emeralds, rubies, or diamonds, and a chisel. I spent hours cutting emeralds while watching movies—it’s that AFK-friendly. The XP rates are solid, but it’s a gold sink.
Gem |
Level Required |
XP per Gem |
Approx. Cost per XP |
---|---|---|---|
Sapphire |
20 |
50 |
~5-7 GP |
27 |
67.5 |
~5-7 GP |
|
Ruby |
34 |
85 |
~5-7 GP |
Diamond |
43 |
107.5 |
~6-8 GP |
Why it’s fast: Cutting gems gives up to 400,000 XP/hour at higher levels with diamonds. The downside? You’re losing money unless you sell the cut gems at the right time. I once burned 10M GP in a day cutting diamonds, but I was gaining levels so fast I didn’t care. Check Grand Exchange prices before buying in bulk—prices fluctuate like crazy.
Pro tip: If you’re an Ironman, mine your own gems in the Shilo Village gem rocks. It’s slower but saves gold.
Battlestaves Levels 54-77
At level 54, you can start crafting battlestaves, which are faster than gems and sometimes profitable. You’ll need battlestaves and orbs (water, earth, fire, or air). I loved this method because it felt less monotonous than gem cutting. Plus, I made some gold back by selling the staves.
Level Required |
XP per Staff |
Approx. Cost/Profit |
|
---|---|---|---|
Water Battlestaff |
54 |
100 |
~0-500k profit/hour |
Earth Battlestaff |
58 |
112.5 |
~0-500k profit/hour |
Fire Battlestaff |
62 |
125 |
~0-500k profit/hour |
Why it’s great: You can hit 300,000-350,000 XP/hour with fire battlestaves. I did this in Prifddinas because the furnace is right next to a bank. Ever tried crafting in Prif? It’s a game-changer for efficiency.
Personal story: I once misclicked and made 100 water battlestaves instead of fire ones. Lost a bit of XP, but it was a funny reminder to double-check my inventory!
Dragonhide Bodies Levels 63-99
From level 63, crafting dragonhide bodies is the KING of Crafting XP. It’s the fastest method, hands down, but it’s not cheap. You’ll need dragon leathers, thread, and a needle. I grinded black dragonhide bodies for my last 10 levels to 99, and let me tell you, seeing that XP bar fly was worth every penny.
Dragonhide Body |
Level Required |
XP per Body |
Approx. Cost per XP |
---|---|---|---|
Green D’hide Body |
63 |
186 |
~10-12 GP |
71 |
210 |
~10-12 GP |
|
Red D’hide Body |
77 |
234 |
~10-12 GP |
84 |
258 |
~10-12 GP |
Why it’s the fastest: Black dragonhide bodies give up to 426,000 XP/hour at level 84. That’s insane! I’d craft these while listening to music, clicking every few seconds. It’s intense but so rewarding. The cost is high, though—expect to spend 100M+ GP from 77 to 99.
Tip: Buy dragon leathers in bulk when prices dip. I saved millions by waiting for a market crash. Also, use a bank preset to speed up withdrawing materials.
Alternative Methods for Budget Players
Not everyone has millions of gold to burn. I’ve been there, scraping by on a low budget. Here are some cheaper methods that still get you decent XP.
Molten Glass Levels 1-83
You can make molten glass with buckets of sand and soda ash (or seaweed/giant seaweed) in a furnace. Then, blow the glass into items like vials or orbs. I did this early on when I was broke, and it’s pretty chill.
Item |
Level Required |
XP per Item |
Approx. Cost per XP |
---|---|---|---|
Vial |
33 |
35 |
~2-4 GP |
Orb |
46 |
52.5 |
~3-5 GP |
Why it’s good: It’s semi-AFK and cheaper than dragonhide bodies. You can get 100,000-150,000 XP/hour with orbs. I used to do this while chatting on Discord—it’s perfect for multitasking.
Ironman tip: Farm giant seaweed at level 21 Farming for better efficiency. It gives 6 soda ash per seaweed, which saved me tons of time.
Superglass Make Levels 61-99
If you have 61 Magic, the Superglass Make spell (Lunar spellbook) turns sand and seaweed into molten glass without a furnace. It’s a bit click-intensive but gives 130,000-180,000 XP/hour when blowing orbs. I tried this for a few levels, and it was nice to mix Magic and Crafting training.
Pro tip: Use giant seaweed to maximize glass output. It’s a bit of a hassle to collect, but it’s worth it.
Crafting Jewellery Levels 5-99
Crafting gold jewellery (rings, necklaces, bracelets) is another budget option. You’ll need gold bars and a mould (plus gems for higher XP). I did this when I wanted to make some gold back by selling amulets.
Jewellery |
Level Required |
XP per Item |
Approx. Cost/Profit |
---|---|---|---|
Gold Ring |
5 |
15 |
~0-100k profit/hour |
Sapphire Necklace |
22 |
55 |
~0-200k profit/hour |
Emerald Bracelet |
30 |
65 |
~0-200k profit/hour |
Why it works: It’s less XP (around 100,000-150,000 XP/hour) but can be profitable. I made a small profit selling sapphire necklaces, which felt great after losing gold on gems.
Ironman Crafting Strategies
Ironmen, I feel you. Gathering materials yourself is a pain, but it’s doable. Here’s what I did on my Ironman account:
-
Mine gems: Shilo Village gem rocks are your best friend. I spent hours there for sapphires and emeralds.
-
Kill dragons: Green and blue dragons drop leathers. I camped green dragons in the Wilderness with a looting bag to stock up.
-
Farm seaweed: Use big fishing nets or grow giant seaweed. It’s slow but free.
-
Quests: Don’t skip the Crafting XP quests. They’re a lifesaver early on.
Question: Are you an Ironman or a main account? Ironmen need to plan ahead, but mains can just hit the Grand Exchange.
Tips to Maximize Efficiency
Here are some tricks I learned the hard way:
-
Bank presets: Set up presets for your materials. It saves so much time. I didn’t start using them until level 80, and I regret it.
-
Crafting cape boost: If you have a friend with a Crafting cape, ask them to teleport you to the Crafting Guild. It’s faster than running.
-
Price check: Always check Grand Exchange prices. I once overpaid 2M GP for dragon leathers because I didn’t check.
-
AFK when possible: Methods like molten glass or jewellery are great for AFK training. I’d craft while doing other tasks to avoid burnout.
-
Mushroom pie: Need a quick level for a quest? A mushroom pie gives +4 Crafting. I used one for Monkey Madness II.
My Journey to 99 Crafting
When I started my 99 Crafting grind, I was overwhelmed. I didn’t have much gold, so I began with leather armor and molten glass. By level 50, I had saved enough to try cutting gems, and that’s when I got hooked on the fast XP. I switched to battlestaves at 54 and dragonhide bodies at 77, blowing through my bank but hitting 99 in about 35 hours of total crafting time. The moment I got that Crafting cape, I felt like a Gielinor legend. Have you ever felt that rush of hitting a 99?
FAQ
What’s the fastest way to 99 Crafting?
Crafting black dragonhide bodies at level 84 gives up to 426,000 XP/hour. It’s costly but the quickest method.
How much does 99 Crafting cost?
Using the fastest methods (gems, battlestaves, dragonhide), expect to spend 50-150M GP, depending on market prices.
Can I make money training Crafting?
Yes, battlestaves and jewellery can be profitable. I made a small profit with fire battlestaves, but don’t expect millions.
What’s the best Ironman method?
Mine gems, kill dragons for leathers, and farm seaweed. It’s slower but sustainable.
Final Thoughts
Getting to 99 Crafting in OSRS is a journey, but with the right methods, you can make it fast and maybe even fun. Whether you’re cutting gems, crafting battlestaves, or grinding dragonhide bodies, plan your budget and time. My biggest advice? Mix it up to avoid boredom—I switched methods every few levels to keep things fresh. What method are you trying first? Let me know, and happy crafting!