OSRS Low Level Money Making Guide 2025

In Old School RuneScape (OSRS), gold is the key to unlocking better gear, skills, and adventures. For low-level players, earning gold can feel daunting with limited skills and resources. This guide explores the best low-level money-making methods in 2025, designed for beginners with minimal requirements. Whether you’re a free-to-play (F2P) player or a member, these strategies will help you build your bank efficiently. Let’s dive into the most effective ways to make gold without needing high stats or expensive gear.

Starting in OSRS with just 25 coins from Tutorial Island, new players face the challenge of accumulating wealth to fund skills, quests, and equipment. Low-level money-making methods are crucial because they require little to no investment and are accessible to players with basic stats. These methods also teach the game’s economy, helping you transition to mid- and high-level strategies later. By focusing on low-competition and straightforward activities, you can steadily grow your gold stack and enjoy the game without grinding high-risk content.

Benefits of Starting Early

Early money-making sets the foundation for your OSRS journey. Here’s why it’s worth focusing on:

• Quick Capital: Build a cash stack to buy better gear or supplies.
• Skill Progression: Many methods train skills like Cooking or Thieving, boosting your account.
• Game Knowledge: Learn the Grand Exchange (GE) and NPC interactions, preparing you for advanced methods like flipping.

Top F2P Money-Making Methods

Free-to-play players have fewer options, but several methods stand out for their simplicity and profitability. These require minimal skills and can be done with a fresh account, making them perfect for beginners.

Collecting and Tanning Cowhides

One of the most iconic F2P money-making methods is collecting cowhides in Lumbridge and tanning them into soft leather. This method is low-risk and requires no combat skills, ideal for new players.

• Location: Lumbridge cow field.
• Requirements: None (complete Prince Ali Rescue for free Al Kharid gate access).
• Process: Kill cows, collect 27 cowhides, run to Al Kharid, tan with Ellis (1 coin per hide), bank, and repeat.
• Profit: ~100-150K GP/hour, depending on GE prices. Ezrsgold.

Tip: Bones from cows can be sold for extra profit, adding ~50K GP/hour.

Cooking Raw Tunas

Cooking raw tunas is a great way to make money while training the Cooking skill. It’s simple and accessible in F2P worlds.

• Location: Any stove (e.g., Lumbridge Castle).
• Requirements: 30 Cooking (63+ recommended to avoid burning).
• Process: Buy raw tunas from the GE, cook them on a stove, and sell cooked tunas.
• Profit: ~50-80K GP/hour at 63 Cooking. Ezrsgold.

Tip: Use the GE to check tuna prices before starting to ensure profitability.

P2P Low-Level Money-Making Methods

Members have access to more lucrative methods, even at low levels. These often combine skilling and combat, offering both gold and experience.

Killing Chaos Druids

Chaos Druids in Taverley Dungeon are a popular low-level combat method due to their valuable herb drops and low stats.

• Location: Taverley Dungeon (accessible from Falador).
• Requirements: 10-20 Combat, basic gear (e.g., rune armor).
• Process: Kill Chaos Druids, collect herbs and other drops, bank in Falador, and sell on the GE.
• Profit: 180-200K GP/hour in 2025. Ezrsgold.

Tip: A Falador teleport speeds up banking, increasing hourly profit.

Buying Beer in Varlamore

Introduced with Varlamore, this method involves buying beer from a pub and banking it for profit. It’s low-effort and highly efficient.

• Location: Quetzacalli Gorge pub in Varlamore.
• Requirements: Children of the Sun quest, ~340K starting gold.
• Process: Buy beer for 2 GP each, bank at the nearby deposit box (22 tiles away), and sell on the GE.
• Profit: ~487K GP/hour. RPGStash.

Tip: The pub’s infinite stock eliminates the need to hop worlds, making this a stress-free method.

Skilling for Profit

Skilling methods are ideal for players who prefer non-combat activities. These often double as training opportunities, helping you level up while earning gold.

Making Mud Runes

Runecrafting is often overlooked, but making mud runes is a low-level money-maker with decent profits.

• Requirements: 13 Runecrafting, 49 Magic, Digsite quest, Abyss Miniquest.
• Process: Use Binding Necklaces, Water Talismans, and Pure Essence to craft mud runes via the Abyss.
• Profit: ~200-300K GP/hour, depending on rune prices. iCharts.

Tip: Stock up on Pure Essence when prices are low to maximize profits.

Telegrabbing Wines of Zamorak

Telegrabbing Wines of Zamorak in the Deep Wilderness Dungeon is a risky but rewarding method for low-level mages.

• Requirements: 33 Magic, Air and Law Runes (or Staff of Air).
• Process: Telegrab Wines of Zamorak, avoid aggressive monks, and bank the wines.
• Profit: ~300K GP/hour. PlayerAuctions.

Tip: Stay alert for PKers in the Wilderness and bring minimal gear to reduce risk.

Passive and Low-Effort Methods

Passive methods require minimal active time, making them perfect for players with busy schedules. These often involve timers, allowing you to log in briefly for rewards.

Bird House Runs

Bird house runs on Fossil Island are a fantastic passive money-maker for low-level players with access to members’ content.

• Requirements: Bone Voyage quest, 5 Hunter, basic bird houses.
• Process: Set up bird houses, wait 50 minutes, harvest nests, and sell on the GE.
• Profit: ~500K/day for ~10 minutes of work. Reddit.

Tip: Use higher-tier bird houses as your Hunter level increases for better nests.

Stronghold of Security

The Stronghold of Security offers a one-time gold boost, perfect for brand-new players.

• Location: Barbarian Village, accessed via Count Check in Lumbridge.
• Requirements: None (Combat level 3+ recommended).
• Process: Complete the first three levels, answer security questions, and claim 10K gold.
• Profit: 10K gold in ~10 minutes. RuneFanatics.

Tip: Use this gold to start other methods like cowhide tanning or buying supplies.

Comparison of Low-Level Money-Making Methods

To help you choose the best method, here’s a table comparing the top methods discussed:

Method	Requirements	Profit (GP/hour)	F2P/P2P	Skill Trained
Cowhide Tanning	None	100-150K	F2P	None
Cooking Tunas	30 Cooking (63+ recommended)	50-80K	F2P	Cooking
Chaos Druids	10-20 Combat	180-200K	P2P	Combat
Buying Beer	Children of the Sun quest, 340K gold	487K	P2P	None
Mud Runes	13 Runecrafting, 49 Magic	200-300K	P2P	Runecrafting
Bird House Runs	Bone Voyage, 5 Hunter	500K/day	P2P	Hunter

Note: Profits are estimates based on 2025 GE prices and may vary. Always check current prices before starting.

Tips for Maximizing Profits

To get the most out of these methods, follow these strategies:

• Monitor GE Prices: Use the Grand Exchange Tracker to buy low and sell high.
• Optimize Routes: Plan efficient banking and travel paths to reduce downtime.
• Combine Methods: Pair passive methods like bird house runs with active ones like cowhide tanning.
• Invest Profits: Use earnings to fund higher-profit methods, like flipping, once you have 500K-1M gold.

Final Thoughts

Making money at a low level in OSRS is all about starting small and scaling up. Whether you’re tanning cowhides in F2P or running bird houses in P2P, these methods offer accessible ways to build your bank. Focus on methods that align with your playstyle, and don’t be afraid to experiment. As you gain gold and skills, you’ll unlock more profitable opportunities like bossing or high-level skilling. Happy ‘scaping, and may your gold stack grow!