The Most Profitable Gold Making Methods in OSRS

Old School RuneScape (OSRS) remains one of the most popular MMORPGs in the world, celebrated for its nostalgic gameplay and vibrant player-driven economy. Whether you’re a fresh adventurer or a veteran player, amassing wealth is an essential part of the game experience. OSRS gold is not only used to buy better gear and supplies but also to invest in skills, quests, and late-game content.

If you’re looking to maximize your income and climb the ranks of OSRS wealth, this guide covers the most profitable gold-making methods, broken down by skill level, risk factor, and efficiency. Whether you want to grind safely or take high risks for high rewards, there’s a method here for you.

1. Slayer Bossing: High Risk, High Reward

Slayer has long been one of the most rewarding skills in OSRS, and boss monsters assigned by Slayer masters can bring in substantial gold per hour if you’re prepared.

Why Slayer Bossing is Profitable

Unique drops: Slayer bosses drop valuable items like herbs, seeds, rare weapons, and armor pieces that can fetch high prices on the Grand Exchange.

Consistent XP and profit: You gain Slayer XP while making money, efficiently leveling two goals at once.

Variety of bosses: From the Abyssal Sire to the Cerberus, bosses offer different challenges and loot tables.

Popular Slayer Bosses for Gold Making

Abyssal Sire: Drops the coveted Abyssal Whip and other valuable items like Abyssal Bludgeon components.

Cerberus: Known for the Primordial and Eternal shards, which are used to make some of the best-in-slot weapons.

Vorkath: Although technically a monster rather than a Slayer boss, Vorkath is a high-profit monster with dragonbone and valuable dragonhide drops.

Tips for Success

Bring high DPS gear and anti-poison items.

Use the best Slayer master you can access for faster tasks.

Join Slayer clans or groups for faster kills and shared knowledge.

2. Herb Farming and Farming Runs: Passive Income with a Steady Profit

Farming herbs is one of the most consistent and low-risk money-making methods in OSRS, suitable for players of all skill levels.

Why Herb Farming?

Herbs like Ranarr, Snapdragon, and Torstol can sell for thousands of GP each.

The Farming skill is relatively low effort—plant seeds, wait for growth, and harvest.

With patches scattered across Gielinor, you can maximize profits by doing multiple runs per day.

Efficient Herb Farming Strategy

Use the Farming cape and farming gloves (if you have access) to increase yield.

Utilize teleport tablets and Fairy rings to minimize travel time.

Combine herb runs with other farming runs (e.g., trees and fruit trees) to boost overall farming XP and gold.

Profit Estimates

A single Torstol run can yield upwards of 200k GP per run, with 3–4 runs per day possible.

Over time, consistent herb farming can accumulate several millions of GP monthly.

3. Flipping and Merchanting: High-Risk, High-Skill Trading

If you have a good understanding of the OSRS economy and patience, flipping—buying items low and selling high on the Grand Exchange—can be incredibly profitable.

Why Flipping is Profitable

No need for combat or skilling—purely market-based profit.

Potentially enormous profits if you master the market cycles.

Can be done in short bursts or long-term investments.

Popular Items to Flip

High-demand items like dragon daggers, rare cosmetics, high-level runes, and skilling supplies.

Items affected by seasonal events or updates, like holiday items and newly introduced gear.

Tips for Flipping

Use third-party price tracking tools like GE Tracker or RuneLite’s Grand Exchange plugin.

Start small and reinvest profits gradually.

Keep an eye on OSRS update news to anticipate price fluctuations.

4. Bossing (Non-Slayer): Fast, Solo or Group Bosses

For players with high combat stats and gear, bossing outside of Slayer assignments is another lucrative gold-making avenue.

Popular Bosses

Zulrah: Known for consistent and high GP/hour, drops include valuable items like the Tanzanite fang and Magic fang.

Theatre of Blood (TOB): High-risk but high-reward boss with rare drops such as the Scythe of Vitur.

God Wars Dungeon (GWD) bosses: Bandos, Armadyl, and others drop valuable items like Saradomin godswords and Armadyl crossbows.

Bossing Strategies

Learn the mechanics thoroughly to avoid deaths, which can be costly.

Bring supplies to minimize downtime.

Use group bosses for efficiency and shared kills.

5. Crafting and Smithing High-Level Items: Profit from Production

If you enjoy crafting or smithing, turning raw materials into high-demand items can be very profitable.

Examples of Profitable Crafts

High-level jewelry crafting: Crafting Dragonstone or Onyx jewelry and charging for enchanting services.

High-tier weapon and armor smithing: Crafting items like Rune platebodies and Dragon equipment.

Potion making: Creating and selling high-demand potions like Super restore or Saradomin brews.

Tips for Crafting Profitably

Always check market prices for raw materials and final products before starting.

Consider offering services (like enchanting jewelry) for other players.

Combine with other skills like Mining or Herblore for full supply chains.

6. Runecrafting: High-Risk, High Reward with the Right Setup

Runecrafting can be a highly profitable skill when done efficiently, especially at higher levels.

Why Runecrafting?

Nature and Law runes are always in high demand for PvP and skilling.

ZMI (Ourania) altar offers fast XP and valuable runes.

Runecrafting essence into combination runes can multiply profits.

Efficient Runecrafting Methods

Use the ZMI altar for best XP and decent GP/hour.

Use Pouches to maximize the amount of essence carried.

High-level players can use Blood runes crafting for extreme profit, but it requires significant investment.

7. Boss Pets Hunting and Rare Drops: Patience Pays Off

Hunting rare boss pets or uncommon drops can yield extraordinary profits for patient players.

Examples

Pet drops from bosses such as the Pet Zulrah or Pet Vorkath.

Rare drops like the Dragon Claws, Dragon Warhammer, or Kodai Insignia.

Rare event items or holiday event drops that appreciate in value.

8. Minigames and Other Alternative Methods

If you want a break from grinding, several minigames and other activities can still make you money:

Pest Control: Gains combat XP while earning commendation points redeemable for useful rewards.

Blast Furnace: Efficient smithing and good profit for Iron and Steel bars.

Wintertodt: For ironmen and main accounts alike, it offers firemaking XP and rewards that can be sold.

Final Thoughts: What’s Right for You?

Your choice of gold-making method depends largely on your:

Skill levels: Some methods require high combat, some depend on skills like Farming or Runecrafting.

Risk tolerance: Bossing and flipping carry risk but offer higher rewards, while farming is steady and safer.

Time investment: Some methods require dedication and patience, while others offer quicker returns.

Most seasoned players recommend a balanced approach—combine passive methods like farming with active methods like Slayer or flipping to diversify income sources.

By experimenting and optimizing your gold-making strategies, you’ll find the path that suits your playstyle and bankroll goals best. Whether you want to buy RuneScape gold, unlock rare cosmetics, or simply dominate the leaderboards, OSRS offers plenty of ways to earn your fortune.