How Long Does it Really Take to Max an OSRS Account? (2025 Estimates)

Getting the famous Max Cape in Old School RuneScape – reaching level 99 in all 23 skills – is the ultimate long-term goal for many dedicated players. It shows you've mastered every part of the game and takes an insane amount of playtime and dedication.

But just how much time are we actually talking about?

The exact number changes wildly based on how efficient you are, the training methods you use, and where you start from. But we can give some rough estimates to show just how huge this goal is.

Breaking Down the Hours (Estimated Total Time)

Maxing is often measured in EHP (Efficient Hours Played), which assumes you play almost perfectly using the best methods. Your real playtime will almost always be higher. Here are some rough ideas for the total hours needed to get 99 in all skills, starting from level 1:

  • Super Efficient / Alt Abuser: Around 2,000 - 2,500 EHP. This means tick manipulation, almost no bank standing, often using alt accounts for supplies, and knowing the game inside out. Realistic playtime might still be 2,500 - 3,500+ hours.
  • Pretty Efficient Player: Around 2,500 - 3,500 EHP. Uses good methods but maybe not absolute perfect clicks, some AFK time, fewer alts. Realistic playtime could be 3,500 - 5,000 hours.
  • Casual / Less Efficient: Could easily be over 4,000 EHP. Uses slower or more relaxed methods, lots of AFK, plenty of bank standing or doing non-XP activities. Realistic playtime might be 5,000 - 7,000+ hours, maybe even more!

Think about that: Even being super efficient at 2,500 hours means playing over 6.8 hours every single day for a whole year! For more relaxed players, it's way, way longer.

What Makes Maxing Faster or Slower?

  • Efficiency: Using advanced techniques (like tick manipulation), best routes, and minimizing wasted time cuts down hours but is more intense to play. Check our RuneLite Plugins guide for efficiency tools.
  • Training Methods: Choosing the fastest methods often costs more GP (like high-level Construction or Herblore) but saves time compared to slow, cheap methods.
  • Money: Having lots of OSRS Gold (buying gold can speed this up!) gives access to those faster training methods.
  • Playstyle: AFK methods take longer in real time but need less attention. High-focus methods are faster EHP but draining.
  • Starting Levels: These estimates are usually from level 1. Having some levels already obviously shortens the total time.
  • Breaks & Burnout: Maxing is a marathon, not a sprint. Taking breaks is essential to avoid burnout, even if it adds calendar time.

The Generally Slowest Skills (The Big Grinds):

While everyone hates different skills, these are often seen as taking the longest in pure hours (even with good methods):

  • Runecrafting (especially before faster methods like Guardians of the Rift - see RC Guide)
  • Agility (The classic painful grind - see Agility Guide)
  • Slayer (While fun/profitable for many, getting 99 simply takes a long time - see Slayer Guide)
  • Mining (If you're not power-mining iron) These often top the list of most tedious OSRS skills.

Is Maxing Realistic for You?

Maxing is a huge achievement, but it takes a level of commitment most players don't have time for or don't want to give. Casual players might take years to max, maybe even over a decade.

It's perfectly fine not to max! OSRS has tons of fun content you can enjoy without hitting 99 in everything. Set goals that fit your playtime and what you find enjoyable.

Can OSRS Services Help Reach Maxing Goals Faster?

While using services for every single skill would be crazy expensive and miss the point for most, OSRS Skilling Services can be used smartly:

  • Skipping Hated Skills: Can't stand Agility or Runecrafting? A service can push you through specific levels or even get you 99, letting you train skills you prefer. See our thoughts on grinding vs services.
  • Saving Time on Slow Grinds: If your real-life time is valuable, paying someone to handle the absolute slowest skills can significantly reduce the calendar time it takes to reach your goals. You can even calculate the potential time saved.
  • Safety is #1: If you consider services, always pick a provider like Tons of XP that promises 100% Hand-Trained work (learn why it's safer) to protect your account.

Conclusion: It's a Massive Journey

Maxing an OSRS account takes thousands of hours. It's a huge investment of time and effort. Efficient methods help, but it’s still a long road. Understand the scale, set goals that make sense for you, and remember that having fun along the way is just as important as getting the cape.

Need a boost on a skill that's driving you crazy on your journey?

>> Check Tons of XP's Safe & Hand-Trained Skilling Services <<