OSRS F2P Money Making Guide (Free-to-Play)

Earning gold in Old School RuneScape without a membership can be challenging, but it's far from impossible! Free-to-Play (F2P) offers a variety of methods, from skilling and combat to collecting and processing items, that can help you build your bank, afford your first Bond for membership, or simply fund your F2P adventures.

Important Note: All profit rates listed are based on current Grand Exchange prices from the provided data dump and can fluctuate significantly. Always check current market prices before committing to a method. Rates assume optimal efficiency; your actual results may vary.

High-Level F2P Money Makers (Higher Requirements)

These methods offer the best potential GP/hr in F2P but require significant skill investment:

  • Smithing Rune Items (99 Smithing): Smithing items like Rune Platelegs, Plateskirts, or 2h Swords at the Varrock west anvil can be highly profitable (potentially 600k+ GP/hr). Requires max Smithing.
  • Mining Runite Ore (85 Mining): Mining Runite ore in the Lava Maze runite rocks (Deep Wilderness, dangerous) or the Mining Guild runite rocks (F2P area, safer but competitive). Very high profit potential (400k+ GP/hr) but requires max F2P Mining level and involves risk or competition.
  • Smelting Runite Bars (85 Smithing): Smelting Runite ore into bars at the Edgeville furnace or Al Kharid furnace. Can be profitable, especially using Superheat Item (requires 43 Magic) for faster rates (600k+ GP/hr potential).
  • High Alching Profitable Items (55 Magic): Casting High Level Alchemy on items bought specifically for profit (e.g., certain Rune items, Adamant Platebodies). Requires finding items with a good margin between GE price and High Alch value (450k+ GP/hr).

Mid-Level & Accessible F2P Money Makers

These methods have lower requirements and offer solid GP/hr for most F2P players:

  • Collecting Steel Platebodies (Combat/Magic): Killing Hobgoblins in the Edgeville Dungeon dungeon near the Wilderness entrance (level 7 Wildy) or killing Steel Knights in the Black Knights' Fortress. Steel Platebodies spawn on a table in the Wilderness location (Lava Maze) or west of the Lava Dragon Isle, requiring Telekinetic Grab (33 Magic). High Alching them (55 Magic) increases profit. Can yield 200k-260k+ GP/hr. Requires decent combat/defence and awareness of PKers in Wilderness locations.
  • Tanning Cowhides/Leather: Buy Cowhides from the GE, run them to the Tanner in Al Kharid, tan them into Leather or Hard Leather, and sell back on the GE. Very low requirements, consistent profit (around 200k GP/hr). Can be combined with killing Cows for hides.
  • Killing Ogress Shamans/Warriors (Combat): Located in the Corsair Cove Dungeon (requires Dragon Slayer I completion for resource area access, but dungeon is F2P). Shamans (require higher stats) drop valuable runes, herbs, and alchables (150k+ GP/hr). Warriors (easier, Ranged recommended) drop decent loot too (90k+ GP/hr).
  • Collecting Spawns:
    • Wine of Zamorak (Telekinetic Grab): Requires 33 Magic. Grab Wines of Zamorak at the Chaos Temple (Wilderness, risky) or the Asgarnia Chaos Temple (safer). Around 90k+ GP/hr.
    • Nature/Cosmic Runes: Kill Dark Wizards south of Varrock or near Draynor for Cosmic Runes (~150k GP/hr). Nature Runes spawn in the Wilderness (Lava Maze, risky) requiring Telekinetic Grab (~150k GP/hr).
    • Monk's Robes: Collect robes at the Edgeville Monastery (requires 31 Prayer). Low effort, decent profit (~150k GP/hr).
  • Skilling for Profit:
    • Fishing Lobsters/Swordfish (40/45 Fishing): Fish at Musa Point or Karamja docks. Good AFK money (~100k+ GP/hr for Swordfish).
    • Woodcutting Yew Logs (60 Woodcutting): Cut Yew trees (e.g., Edgeville, Varrock Palace, behind Lumbridge Castle). AFK but slow (~130k GP/hr).
    • Mining Adamantite Ore (70 Mining): Lumbridge Swamp SE Mine or Al Kharid Mine. Slower than Runite but less competitive/risky (~100k GP/hr).
    • Crafting Jewellery: Crafting Diamond (56 Crafting) or Ruby (50 Crafting) jewellery can be profitable depending on gem/gold prices (~200k+ GP/hr).

Beginner F2P Money Makers

Very low requirement methods to get started:

  • Collecting Cowhides: Kill Cows near Lumbridge/Falador, bank hides, sell on GE.
  • Mining Clay/Iron Ore: Mine Clay (Varrock SE mine) or Iron (Varrock SE/SW mines, Al Kharid).
  • Fishing Shrimp/Anchovies: Use a Small Net at Draynor Village or Al Kharid shores.
  • Woodcutting Normal/Oak Logs: Cut trees around Lumbridge/Draynor/Varrock.
  • Collecting Ashes: Pick up ashes after players train Firemaking (e.g., Grand Exchange).
  • Making Dough/Pizza Bases: Buy Pot of Flour/Water, make Dough. Cook Pizza Bases (requires Cooking). Low but consistent profit.

Conclusion

While F2P money making won't make you rich overnight compared to P2P methods, consistent effort using the right strategies can certainly build a solid bankroll. Higher skill levels unlock significantly better methods like Runite mining/smithing. Choose methods that suit your levels, playstyle (AFK vs active), and risk tolerance (Wilderness vs safe zones). Good luck earning your gold!

Tired of the F2P grind? Consider jumpstarting your OSRS journey by securely buying OSRS Gold or exploring our efficient OSRS Skilling Services.