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Money Making Smithing Guide OSRS for 2025

Smithing in Old School RuneScape (OSRS) is one of those skills that feels like a grind but can turn into a goldmine if you know what you’re doing. I’ve spent countless hours hammering away at anvils, smelting ores, and chasing that sweet profit, so I’m here to share my experience as an OSRS veteran. Whether you’re a low-level player or a maxed-out smithing pro, this guide will break down the best money-making methods using smithing, with practical tips and personal stories to help you stack those coins. Ready to turn your hammer into a cash machine? Let’s dive in!
Smithing isn’t just about crafting armor or weapons; it’s a skill that can rake in millions if you play it smart. The beauty of smithing is that it’s versatile. You can smelt bars, craft items, or even blast through the Blast Furnace for some serious GP. But why should you bother?
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Low entry barrier: You don’t need 99 Smithing to start making money.
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Passive profits: Some methods, like smelting bars, are semi-AFK.
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High demand: Items like cannonballs and rune gear are always in demand.
When I first started smithing, I was a level 40 noob, barely able to smelt steel bars. But after experimenting with different methods, I realized there’s serious potential here. Have you ever tried smithing for profit? If not, you’re missing out!
Getting Started with Smithing Money Making
Before you start, you need a few things: a decent Smithing level, some starting cash, and access to key locations like the Blast Furnace or Varrock anvils. If your Smithing is low, don’t worry; there are methods for every level. Let’s break it down by level and method.
Low-Level Smithing (1-40)
If you’re just starting, don’t expect millions right away. Focus on building your skill while making some pocket change. Here’s what worked for me:
Smelting Bronze and Iron Bars
At low levels, smelting bronze or iron bars is a solid way to train while earning a bit of GP. Bronze bars are dirt cheap to make, but the profit margins are slim. Iron bars, on the other hand, can net you a small profit if you buy ores from the Grand Exchange (GE).
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How it works: Buy copper and tin (for bronze) or iron ore from the GE, smelt them at a furnace (like in Al Kharid), and sell the bars.
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Profit: Around 50-100k GP/hour for iron bars.
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Requirements: None for bronze; 15 Smithing for iron.
I remember spending hours in Al Kharid’s furnace, smelting iron bars and feeling like a big shot when I sold them for a few thousand GP. It’s not glamorous, but it’s a start. Have you tried smelting yet? It’s super chill!
Crafting Iron Items
Once you hit level 15, you can smith iron items like knives or platebodies. Iron platebodies are slow but have decent margins if you’re patient.
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How it works: Buy iron bars, smith platebodies at Varrock’s anvil, and sell them on the GE.
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Profit: Roughly 50k-80k GP/hour.
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Tip: Use the Varrock armor for faster smithing if you’ve completed the Varrock Diary.
Mid-Level Smithing (40-70)
This is where things get interesting. Mid-level smithing opens up profitable methods like steel and mithril bars. These were my go-to methods when I was grinding toward 70 Smithing.
Blast Furnace Steel Bars
The Blast Furnace in Keldagrim is a game-changer. It’s a minigame-style furnace that cuts your coal usage in half, making it cheaper to smelt bars. Steel bars are a fantastic option here.
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Requirements: 30 Smithing, 10k GP to start the furnace (or free with 60 Smithing).
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How it works: Buy iron and coal (1:1 ratio), smelt steel bars at the Blast Furnace, and sell them.
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Profit: 200k-300k GP/hour, depending on GE prices.
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Tip: Wear the coal bag to double your inventory space.
My first time at the Blast Furnace was chaotic. I didn’t know how to operate the machinery, and I kept forgetting my coal bag! But once I got the hang of it, I was smelting steel bars like a pro and banking decent GP. It’s semi-AFK, so you can watch a show while you work. Ever tried the Blast Furnace? It’s worth the learning curve.
Cannonballs: The AFK Goldmine
Cannonballs are a classic money-maker. They’re slow to smith, but the profit is steady, and it’s super AFK.
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Requirements: 35 Smithing, completion of Dwarf Cannon quest.
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How it works: Buy steel bars, smith cannonballs at any furnace, and sell them.
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Profit: 150k-200k GP/hour.
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Tip: Use an ammo mould and a double ammo mould (if you have it) to speed things up.
I used to set up my laptop, load up on steel bars, and smith cannonballs while doing homework. It’s not the fastest method, but the consistent demand for cannonballs makes it reliable. Plus, who doesn’t love passive income?
High-Level Smithing (70-99)
If you’ve got the levels and some cash to invest, high-level smithing is where the big bucks roll in. These methods are more intensive but can net you millions per hour.
Blast Furnace Mithril, Adamantite, and Runite Bars
At higher levels, you can smelt mithril (50 Smithing), adamantite (70 Smithing), or runite bars (85 Smithing) at the Blast Furnace for serious profit. These bars are in high demand for high-level gear and alchables.
Bar Type |
Smithing Level |
Ore Needed |
Coal Needed |
Profit/Hour (Approx.) |
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Mithril |
50 |
1 Mithril Ore |
2 Coal |
300k-400k GP |
Adamantite |
70 |
3 Coal |
500k-700k GP |
|
Runite |
85 |
1 Runite Ore |
4 Coal |
800k-1.2m GP |
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How it works: Buy the ores and coal, smelt at the Blast Furnace, and sell the bars.
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Requirements: High Smithing level, coal bag, and stamina potions for efficiency.
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Tip: Join a Blast Furnace world (like World 352) for a fully staffed furnace.
When I hit 85 Smithing, I felt like I’d unlocked the Holy Grail. Smelting runite bars was a grind, but seeing my bank grow by a million GP an hour was unreal. The key is to stock up on ores when prices dip. Have you checked GE prices lately? Timing your buys can make a huge difference.
Smithing Rune Items
Smithing rune items like platebodies or 2h swords is a fantastic way to profit while training. These items are often alched by players, keeping demand high.
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Requirements: 85-99 Smithing, depending on the item.
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How it works: Buy runite bars, smith items at an anvil, and sell or alch them.
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Profit: 500k-1m GP/hour, depending on the item and market.
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Tip: Use the High Alchemy spell to alch items yourself for extra profit.
I once spent a whole weekend smithing rune platebodies and alching them. My Magic level got a nice boost, and my bank account was looking THICK. It’s a bit click-intensive, but the payoff is worth it.
Best Practices for Maximizing Profits
To make the most GP from smithing, you need to be smart about it. Here are my top tips from years of grinding:
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Track GE prices daily: Ore and bar prices fluctuate. Use the GE Tracker or OSRS Wiki to stay updated.
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Invest in upgrades: The coal bag, ice gloves, and goldsmith gauntlets (for gold bars) are game-changers.
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Use stamina potions: These keep you running at the Blast Furnace, saving time.
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Complete diaries: Varrock and Falador diaries give smithing boosts that speed things up.
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Join a clan: Some clans run dedicated Blast Furnace sessions, making it cheaper and faster.
One time, I forgot to wear my ice gloves at the Blast Furnace and burned through my HP trying to grab bars. Lesson learned: always double-check your setup! What’s the dumbest mistake you’ve made in OSRS?
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Smithing for profit sounds easy, but there are pitfalls. Here’s what to watch out for:
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Buying at peak prices: Don’t buy ores when prices are high. Wait for a dip.
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Ignoring efficiency: Without a coal bag or stamina potions, you’re wasting time.
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Overlooking quests: Quests like Dwarf Cannon unlock key methods like cannonballs.
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Not checking requirements: Some methods need diaries or quests for maximum profit.
I once bought a ton of runite ore at a high price, only to see the market crash the next day. Ouch. Always do your research!
My Personal Journey with Smithing
When I started OSRS, I didn’t think much of Smithing. It seemed boring compared to slaying dragons or flipping items on the GE. But one day, I decided to give the Blast Furnace a shot. I was broke, barely had 500k in my bank, and needed a way to fund my gear upgrades. After a few hours of smelting adamantite bars, I made enough to buy my first dragon scimitar. That moment hooked me.
Over time, I pushed my Smithing to 99, mostly through the Blast Furnace and cannonballs. It wasn’t always glamorous, but the steady profits kept me going. Now, I can afford BIS gear and even splash some cash on bonds. Smithing turned me from a struggling noob to a confident player. What’s your go-to money-making method in OSRS? Maybe Smithing could be your next big win!
FAQs About Smithing Money Making
What’s the best Smithing level for profit?
Anything above 70 is ideal for high-profit methods like adamantite or runite bars.
Is the Blast Furnace worth it?
Absolutely! It’s the most efficient way to smelt bars and maximizes profit.
Can I make money with low Smithing?
Yes, but profits are smaller. Start with iron bars or platebodies.
How much starting cash do I need?
Around 1-2m for mid-level methods, 5-10m for high-level ones like runite bars.
Final Thoughts
Smithing in OSRS is a grind, but it’s also a goldmine if you approach it right. From smelting iron bars as a newbie to churning out runite platebodies at 99, there’s a method for every level. My journey with Smithing taught me patience, market smarts, and the joy of watching my bank grow. Whether you’re AFK smithing cannonballs or sweating it out at the Blast Furnace, the profits are there for the taking. So grab your hammer, stock up on ores, and start smithing your way to riches. What method are you trying first? Let me know in the comments!