OSRS AFK Skilling Money Making Guide for 2025
Old School RuneScape (OSRS) offers plenty of ways to earn gold without being glued to your screen. AFK (Away From Keyboard) skilling methods are perfect for players who want to make money while multitasking—whether you’re studying, working, or just chilling. This guide dives into the best AFK skilling methods for 2025, focusing on profitability, ease, and minimal effort. We’ll cover requirements, profits, and tips to maximize your gains, all tailored for both free-to-play (F2P) and pay-to-play (P2P) accounts.
AFK skilling lets you earn gold passively while training skills, making it ideal for busy players. Unlike high-intensity methods like bossing or PvM, these activities require low attention, allowing you to progress in OSRS without constant clicking. Whether you’re a low-level player or a maxed-out veteran, there’s an AFK method that suits your account.
Benefits of AFK Skilling
- Time Efficiency: Make gold while doing other tasks.
- Skill Progression: Gain XP alongside profits.
- Low Risk: Minimal chance of dying or losing items compared to combat.
- Accessibility: Many methods work for F2P or low-level accounts.
Top AFK Skilling Methods for Profit
Below are some of the best AFK skilling methods in OSRS for 2025, ranked by ease and profitability. Each method includes requirements, estimated profits, and tips to optimize your earnings.
Mining Amethyst
Mining amethyst in the Mining Guild is one of the most profitable AFK methods for P2P players. Amethyst crystals don’t deplete quickly, allowing you to swing your pickaxe for extended periods with little interaction.
| Requirement | Details |
|---|---|
| Level | 92 Mining |
| Items | Dragon/Crystal Pickaxe, Varrock Armour 4 (optional) |
| Profit | Up to 600K-800K GP/hour |
| Location | Mining Guild (Falador) |
Tips:
- Use Varrock Armour 4 for a 10% chance of double ore.
- Craft amethyst into bolt tips or arrowheads for stackable items, reducing banking time.
- Complete the Elite Falador Diary for access to the best mining spots.
Cooking Sharks
Cooking raw sharks is a solid AFK method for players with high Cooking levels. Sharks are in demand for PvP and bossing, ensuring stable profits.
| Requirement | Details |
|---|---|
| Level | 89 Cooking (84 with Elite Kourend Diary) |
| Items | Cooking Gauntlets, Raw Sharks |
| Profit | Up to 300K-400K GP/hour |
| Location | Hosidius Kitchen |
Tips:
- Cook in the Hosidius Kitchen to reduce burn rates.
- Buy raw sharks in bulk from the Grand Exchange when prices dip.
- Use a bank preset to quickly restock and return to cooking.
Fletching Yew Longbows
Fletching yew longbows is a low-effort, bank-standing method that’s profitable and AFK. It’s accessible for mid-level P2P players and offers decent XP.
| Requirement | Details |
|---|---|
| Level | 70 Fletching |
| Items | Yew Logs, Bow Strings |
| Profit | Up to 300K-340K GP/hour |
| Location | Any Bank (Grand Exchange recommended) |
Tips:
- String bows instead of cutting them for higher profits.
- Check Grand Exchange prices daily, as yew log and bow string costs fluctuate.
- Combine with other bank-standing tasks like Herblore for efficiency.
F2P AFK Skilling Options
Free-to-play players have fewer options, but there are still viable AFK methods to stack gold without a membership. These are great for new players or those saving for a bond.
Cutting Yew Logs
Woodcutting yew trees is a classic F2P AFK method. Yew logs are valuable and can be sold for consistent profits.
| Requirement | Details |
|---|---|
| Level | 60 Woodcutting |
| Items | Rune Axe (optional) |
| Profit | Up to 100K-150K GP/hour |
| Location | Varrock Palace or Edgeville |
Tips:
- Chop at Varrock Palace for proximity to the Grand Exchange.
- Bank logs and sell in bulk to save time.
- Upgrade to a rune axe for faster cutting at higher levels.
Tanning Cowhides
Tanning cowhides into leather is a simple F2P method that’s highly AFK and requires minimal starting capital.
| Requirement | Details |
|---|---|
| Level | None (Crafting XP gained) |
| Items | Cowhides, 100 GP per hide |
| Profit | Up to 100K-120K GP/hour |
| Location | Al-Kharid Tanner |
Tips:
- Use an amulet of glory or ring of dueling for faster teleports to Al-Kharid.
- Buy cowhides when prices are low to maximize margins.
- Do this while watching a movie—it’s that AFK!
Passive Income with Skilling
Some AFK methods go beyond active skilling and offer passive income, letting you earn gold with almost no effort. These are perfect for long-term wealth-building.
Managing Miscellania
The Kingdom of Miscellania is a P2P method where you invest gold to have workers gather resources for you. It’s as AFK as it gets—check in once a week to collect profits.
| Requirement | Details |
|---|---|
| Quests | Throne of Miscellania, Royal Trouble |
| Items | 10M GP initial investment |
| Profit | Up to 50K-100K GP/day |
| Location | Miscellania |
Tips:
- Assign workers to gather herbs or hardwood for the best returns.
- Maintain high approval by chopping trees or mining locally.
- Invest 750K daily to maximize resource output.
Birdhouse Runs
Birdhouse runs take just a few minutes every hour and yield valuable nests, making them a semi-AFK way to profit while training Hunter.
| Requirement | Details |
|---|---|
| Level | 5 Hunter (higher for better birdhouses) |
| Items | Logs, Seeds, Hammer, Chisel |
| Profit | Up to 200K-300K GP/hour |
| Location | Fossil Island |
Tips:
- Use yew or magic birdhouses at higher levels for better nests.
- Do runs every 50-60 minutes while AFK skilling elsewhere.
- Stack seeds from farming to reduce costs.
Tips to Maximize AFK Profits
To get the most out of your AFK skilling, follow these general strategies to boost efficiency and gold per hour.
Optimize Your Setup
Use the right gear and plugins to make skilling smoother:
- RuneLite: Enable plugins like inventory tags or bank presets for faster restocking.
- Best-in-Slot Tools: Equip dragon/crystal tools for mining, woodcutting, or fishing.
- Diaries: Complete achievement diaries for bonuses like reduced burn rates or extra resources.
Monitor the Grand Exchange
OSRS prices fluctuate daily. Check the Grand Exchange for:
- Buy Low, Sell High: Purchase materials when prices dip.
- Margins: Calculate profit margins for tanning, fletching, or cooking.
- Trends: Avoid oversaturated markets to maintain profits.
Combine Methods
Stack AFK tasks for efficiency:
- Do birdhouse runs between mining or cooking sessions.
- Fletch while waiting for Miscellania resources to accumulate.
- Cook or tan hides during downtime from other skills.
Conclusion
AFK skilling in OSRS is a game-changer for players who want to earn gold without constant focus. From mining amethyst to managing Miscellania, these methods offer a balance of profit and ease for both F2P and P2P players. By optimizing your setup, monitoring prices, and combining tasks, you can build a steady stream of income while training skills. Start with the method that fits your levels and watch your bank grow—without breaking a sweat!