OSRS Level 3 Money Making Guide for Beginners

Starting your journey in Old School RuneScape (OSRS) as a level 3 character can feel daunting, especially when it comes to earning gold. With limited skills and combat abilities, finding effective money-making methods is crucial for new players or those creating skillers or alternate accounts. This guide explores the best OSRS level 3 money-making methods, focusing on low-requirement, beginner-friendly strategies that maximize profits in both free-to-play (F2P) and pay-to-play (P2P) environments. Whether you’re saving for a bond or building your bank, these methods will help you get started without needing high stats or significant investment.

As a level 3 player, your options are limited, but gold is essential for buying gear, supplies, or even a membership bond. Efficient money-making methods allow you to progress faster, unlock better opportunities, and enjoy the game without grinding endlessly. The methods below are tailored for accessibility, requiring minimal skills, gear, or starting capital, making them ideal for fresh accounts.

Understanding the Level 3 Challenge

Level 3 accounts typically have base stats (10 Hitpoints, 1 in most skills) and are often restricted to F2P worlds or early-game content. This guide prioritizes methods that work within these constraints while offering decent gold per hour (GP/hr) for the effort.

F2P vs. P2P Opportunities

F2P methods are great for new players without membership, but P2P methods often yield higher profits. We’ll cover both, with clear requirements and tips for transitioning to membership if you choose to invest in a bond.

Top F2P Money-Making Methods for Level 3

OSRS Moneymaking Guide OSRS Guide

Free-to-play worlds offer several low-requirement ways to earn gold, perfect for level 3 players. These methods focus on skilling and collecting, requiring little to no combat or startup costs.

Collecting Cowhides in Lumbridge

One of the simplest and most reliable methods is collecting cowhides from the Lumbridge cow field. Cows are easy to kill (even for NPCs or other players), and their hides sell well on the Grand Exchange (GE).

Location: Lumbridge cow field, east of the castle.
Requirements: None (optional: 7 quest points for Al Kharid gate access).
Process: Collect 27 cowhides per inventory, run to Al Kharid’s tanner (Ellis), tan them into soft leather for 1 GP each, and sell on the GE.
Profit: ~30-50k GP/hr, depending on GE prices.

Tip: Complete the Prince Ali Rescue quest to pass the Lumbridge-Al Kharid gate for free, saving time and boosting efficiency.

Mining Iron Ore in Al Kharid

Mining is a consistent F2P money-maker, and iron ore is accessible with no level requirements (though 15 Mining helps for faster gathering).

Location: Al Kharid mine, north of Al Kharid.
Requirements: Pickaxe (bronze is fine).
Process: Mine iron ore, bank in Al Kharid, and sell on the GE. Join a populated world to pick up ores dropped by powerminers.
Profit: ~40-60k GP/hr, with potential for more if collecting dropped ores.

Tip: Use the GE to check current iron ore prices, as they fluctuate.

Cooking Trout and Salmon in Barbarian Village

Cooking fish is an AFK-friendly method that also trains a useful skill. Trout and salmon are easy to obtain and profitable when cooked.

Location: Barbarian Village fishing spot.
Requirements: 15 Cooking (trout), 25 Cooking (salmon).
Process: Fish raw trout/salmon, cook on the everlasting fire in Barbarian Village, and sell on the GE.
Profit: ~30-50k GP/hr, increasing with higher Cooking levels to avoid burning.

Tip: Fish in a populated world to minimize movement, and bank in Edgeville for efficiency.

P2P Money-Making Methods for Level 3

Membership unlocks more lucrative options, even for level 3 players. These methods leverage skilling and low-level activities to generate higher profits.

Stronghold of Security (One-Time Gold)

The Stronghold of Security offers a quick cash injection for new players, accessible at level 3 with no skill requirements.

Location: Stronghold of Security, under Barbarian Village.
Requirements: None (bring food like cabbages for safety).
Process: Complete the first three levels to earn 10,000 GP (2k, 3k, and 5k per level).
Profit: 10,000 GP (one-time).

Tip: Use the gold to fund other methods, like buying cowhides or flax.

Spinning Flax into Bow Strings

Spinning flax is an AFK P2P method that’s simple and profitable, ideal for level 3 skillers training Crafting.

Location: Lumbridge Castle spinning wheel.
Requirements: None (10 Crafting recommended for faster spinning).
Process: Buy flax from the GE, spin into bow strings at Lumbridge’s spinning wheel, and sell on the GE.
Profit: ~80-100k GP/hr, depending on GE margins.

Tip: Check GE prices for flax and bow strings to ensure profitability, as margins can vary.

Hunter: Catching Crimson Swifts

Hunter is a P2P skill that’s accessible early and offers decent profits for level 3 players with minimal setup.

Location: Feldip Hills (use a Feldip Hills teleport or fairy ring AKS).
Requirements: 1 Hunter, bird snare.
Process: Set up bird snares to catch crimson swifts, collect their feathers and raw bird meat, and sell on the GE.
Profit: ~50-70k GP/hr, increasing with higher Hunter levels.

Tip: Bank feathers and meat in Nardah or Shantay Pass to maximize inventory space.

Comparing Level 3 Money-Making Methods

To help you choose the best method, here’s a comparison of the methods discussed, including requirements, profit, and effort level.

Method	Requirements	Profit (GP/hr)	Effort Level	F2P/P2P
Cowhides	None (7 quest points optional)	30-50k	Medium	F2P
Mining Iron Ore	Pickaxe	40-60k	Medium	F2P
Cooking Trout/Salmon	15-25 Cooking	30-50k	Low (AFK)	F2P
Stronghold of Security	None	10k (one-time)	Low	F2P/P2P
Spinning Flax	None (10 Crafting recommended)	80-100k	Low (AFK)	P2P
Hunter (Crimson Swifts)	1 Hunter, bird snare	50-70k	Medium	P2P

Note: Profits are estimates based on GE prices as of May 2025 and may vary. Always check current prices before investing.

Tips to Maximize Profits as a Level 3 Player

While the methods above are effective, optimizing your approach can boost your earnings and make the grind more enjoyable.

Use the Grand Exchange Wisely

The GE is your best friend for buying supplies and selling products. Always check buy/sell margins to ensure profitability, especially for methods like spinning flax or tanning cowhides. Use tools like GE Tracker to monitor price trends.

Invest in a Bond for Membership

If you can save ~6-8M GP (current bond price), redeeming it for membership unlocks P2P methods that are far more profitable. Methods like spinning flax or Hunter can help you sustain a bond long-term.

Combine Methods for Efficiency

Mix methods to avoid burnout and train multiple skills. For example, collect cowhides to fund flax spinning, or cook fish while training Hunter. This diversifies your income and progress.

Join a Clan or Community

Clans and forums (e.g., Reddit’s r/2007scape) offer tips, world recommendations, and group activities. Engaging with the community can reveal new methods and improve your efficiency.

Scaling Up from Level 3

Once you’ve built a small bank, consider leveling skills to unlock better money-makers. Here are a few progression paths:

Crafting (Level 7+): Make gold amulets (u) in Edgeville for ~100k GP/hr and Crafting XP.

Magic (Level 33): Use Telekinetic Grab to collect Wine of Zamorak in the Wilderness (~200k GP/hr, but risky).

Farming (Level 32): Start herb runs for passive income (~150k per run).

These methods require slightly higher stats but offer significantly better profits, helping you transition from beginner to mid-level money-making.

Final Thoughts: Earning gold as a level 3 OSRS player is achievable with the right methods. Start with F2P options like cowhides or mining, then transition to P2P methods like flax spinning or Hunter for higher profits. Always verify GE prices, optimize your routes, and engage with the community for the latest tips. With patience, you’ll build a solid bank and unlock the full potential of Gielinor. Happy ‘scaping!