OSRS F2P Money Making Guide: Best Methods for 2025

Old School RuneScape (OSRS) offers a thrilling experience, even for free-to-play (F2P) players. While F2P limits your access to certain areas, skills, and items, there are still plenty of ways to make gold (GP) without spending real money on a membership. Whether you’re a new player fresh off Tutorial Island or a seasoned adventurer looking to fund a bond, this OSRS F2P money making guide will walk you through the best methods for 2025. These strategies are practical, efficient, and tailored to the F2P economy, helping you build your wealth step by step.

In OSRS, gold is the lifeblood of progression. For F2P players, earning GP is essential to buy better gear, train skills, or save up for a bond (currently around 8-9M GP) to unlock membership. Without access to high-level P2P content, F2P money making requires creativity and patience. The methods below range from low-skill activities to more advanced techniques, ensuring there’s something for every player.

Understanding the F2P Economy

The F2P economy is driven by demand for basic resources, combat gear, and skilling supplies. Items like runes, logs, and crafted goods often fetch decent prices on the Grand Exchange (GE). However, competition can be fierce, and profit margins may fluctuate, so always check current GE prices before diving in.

Goals for F2P Money Making

• Quick Cash: For new players needing gear or supplies.
• Bond Funding: Aiming for 8-9M GP to become a member.
• Skill Training: Earning GP while leveling up combat or skills.

Top 5 OSRS F2P Money Making Methods

Here are the best F2P money making methods for 2025, ranked by profitability and accessibility. Each method includes requirements, estimated profits, and tips to maximize efficiency.

Method 1: Mining Runite Ore

Mining runite ore is one of the most lucrative F2P money making methods, but it comes with high requirements and risks.

• Requirements: 85 Mining, a good pickaxe (Rune recommended).
• Location: Wilderness (Lava Maze) or Heroes’ Guild.
• Profit: 400K-700K GP/hour.
• Risks: Player killers (PKers) in the Wilderness.

How It Works: Runite ore is rare and valuable, selling for around 10K-12K GP each. In the Wilderness, mine the two runite rocks, bank via Varrock teleport, and hop worlds due to long respawn times (12 minutes). The Heroes’ Guild is safer but more competitive.

Tip: Use a low-level alt account to scout worlds and avoid PKers.

Method 2: High Alchemy

High alchemy (high alching) turns items into gold using magic, offering steady profits with minimal effort.

• Requirements: 55 Magic, Staff of Fire, Nature Runes.
• Location: Anywhere near a bank (e.g., Varrock West).
• Profit: 400K-500K GP/hour.
• Capital: 10M-20M GP recommended for bulk buying.

How It Works: Buy items like Rune Platelegs or Adamant Platebodies from the GE, cast High Alchemy (65 GP per cast), and profit from the difference. Check the OSRS Wiki’s alchemy profit list for current margins.

Tip: Use a fire staff to save on fire runes and boost efficiency.

Method 3: Crafting Gold Jewelry

Crafting gold jewelry combines skilling with profit, making it ideal for mid-level players.

• Requirements: 20-40 Crafting, gold bars, molds (e.g., necklace or amulet).
• Location: Edgeville Furnace (closest to a bank).
• Profit: 200K-300K GP/hour.

How It Works: Buy gold bars and gems (e.g., rubies or diamonds) from the GE, craft unstrung amulets or necklaces, and sell them back. Ruby Amulets (unstrung) often yield the best margins.

Tip: Start with a small investment (100K-200K GP) to test profitability.

Method 4: Woodcutting Yew Logs

Woodcutting yew logs is a relaxing, low-requirement method that scales with your skill level.

• Requirements: 60 Woodcutting, Rune Axe.
• Location: Edgeville, Falador, or Varrock South.
• Profit: 100K-200K GP/hour.

How It Works: Chop yew trees, bank the logs, and sell them on the GE for 300-400 GP each. Edgeville is the most efficient spot due to its proximity to a bank.

Tip: Use the RuneLite client to highlight yew trees for faster chopping.

Method 5: Tanning Cowhides

Tanning cowhides is perfect for beginners with no skill requirements and low startup costs.

• Requirements: None (15 Combat recommended for killing cows).
• Location: Lumbridge cow fields, Al Kharid tanner.
• Profit: 50K-100K GP/hour.

How It Works: Kill cows in Lumbridge, collect cowhides (150-200 GP each), tan them into leather (1 GP per hide at Ellis in Al Kharid), and sell for 200-250 GP each.

Tip: Complete the Prince Ali Rescue quest to avoid the 10 GP toll gate fee.

Comparing F2P Money Making Methods

To help you choose the best method, here’s a comparison table based on key factors:

Method	Skill Level	Startup GP	Profit/Hour	Risk
Mining Runite Ore	85 Mining	Low	400K-700K	High (Wilderness)
High Alchemy	55 Magic	10M-20M	400K-500K	Low
Crafting Jewelry	20-40 Crafting	100K-400K	200K-300K	Low
Woodcutting Yews	60 Woodcutting	Low	100K-200K	Low
Tanning Cowhides	None	Minimal	50K-100K	Low

Tips to Maximize Your F2P Profits

Boosting your GP/hour requires strategy. Here are some pro tips to get the most out of these methods:

Use the Grand Exchange Wisely

Always check GE prices before buying or selling. Set buy offers slightly below market price and sell slightly above to maximize margins.

Hop Worlds for Efficiency

For resource gathering like mining or woodcutting, hop worlds to find empty spots and avoid competition.

Combine Methods

Kill two birds with one stone—train Magic while high alching or level Crafting while making jewelry. This saves time and boosts overall gains.

Avoid Peak Times

Play during off-peak hours to reduce competition for resources and lower the risk of PKers in the Wilderness.

Scaling Up: From F2P to Bond

Earning a bond (8-9M GP) is a common goal for F2P players. Here’s how long it might take with each method:

• Mining Runite Ore: 12-20 hours.
• High Alchemy: 16-22 hours.
• Crafting Jewelry: 30-45 hours.
• Woodcutting Yews: 45-90 hours.
• Tanning Cowhides: 90-180 hours.

Step-by-Step Bond Plan

1. Start with tanning cowhides to build initial capital (100K-200K GP).
2. Transition to crafting jewelry or woodcutting yews for steady income.
3. Invest in high alchemy supplies once you hit 1M-2M GP.
4. Grind runite ore with high Mining for the final push.

Is a Bond Worth It?

A bond unlocks P2P content, offering far higher GP/hour methods (e.g., 2M-5M GP/hour). If you enjoy OSRS and want to explore more, it’s a game-changer.

Final Thoughts on OSRS F2P Money Making

F2P money making in OSRS is a grind, but it’s rewarding. From the adrenaline of mining runite in the Wilderness to the steady profits of high alching, there’s a method for every playstyle. Start small, scale up, and soon you’ll be swimming in GP—or at least enough to snag that bond. What’s your favorite F2P money maker? Let us know, and happy grinding!