How to Farm Gold in Old School RuneScape

Gold is the lifeblood of Old School RuneScape (OSRS). Whether you are a brand-new adventurer trying to afford your first rune set, a mid-game player saving for expensive skills, or an endgame veteran chasing best-in-slot gear, efficient OSRS gold farming is essential. Unlike many modern MMORPGs, OSRS offers hundreds of viable money-making methods, each tied closely to skills, quests, combat levels, and player knowledge.

This guide provides a comprehensive, up-to-date overview of how to farm gold in Old School RuneScape, covering early-game, mid-game, and late-game methods, along with tips to maximize profit and avoid common mistakes.

Understanding Gold Farming in OSRS

Before diving into specific methods, it’s important to understand how gold generation works in OSRS.

Gold comes primarily from:

Monster drops

Player-to-player trading via the Grand Exchange

Skilling outputs (resources, crafted items)

Alching and processing items

PvM (Player vs Monster) bossing

OSRS is unique because time efficiency and account progression matter just as much as raw profit per hour. Some methods earn less gold but also train skills, while others are pure GP farming with little experience gain.

The “best” gold farming method depends on:

Your combat level

Skill levels

Quest completion

Risk tolerance

Attention level (AFK vs active)

Early-Game Gold Farming Methods

For new or low-level players, gold farming is about consistency and accessibility, not raw GP per hour.

Killing Low-Level Monsters

Many low-level monsters provide reliable early income through common drops.

Cows are a classic example. Killing cows for cowhides remains profitable because hides are used in Crafting. Collecting and selling them on the Grand Exchange can provide steady starting gold.

Chickens are another beginner option. Feathers are always in demand for Fishing, making them a reliable early-game commodity.

Hill Giants and Moss Giants are popular once you gain a bit more combat power. Their big bones and valuable rune drops can significantly improve your income while training combat.

Gathering Skills for Early Gold

Skilling is one of the safest ways to earn gold early.

Mining iron ore is popular because iron is always in demand for Smithing. Banking iron can generate steady GP while leveling Mining quickly.

Fishing methods like fly fishing for trout and salmon offer a mix of experience and profit. While not the fastest gold method, it is very accessible and low risk.

Woodcutting regular or oak logs is another beginner option. Logs sell consistently, and the skill scales well into the mid-game.

Quest-Based Income Boosts

Certain quests unlock better gold-making opportunities early.

Completing quests that unlock transportation methods, new areas, or better training spots can indirectly boost your GP per hour. Quests that unlock the Grand Exchange early are especially valuable for new accounts.

Mid-Game Gold Farming Methods

Once you reach mid-game levels, gold farming becomes significantly more flexible. This is where players can start earning hundreds of thousands to over a million GP per hour.

Slayer as a Gold Generator

Slayer is one of the most important money-making skills in OSRS.

At lower levels, Slayer may feel slow, but as you unlock stronger monsters, the gold quickly adds up. Tasks like:

Aberrant Spectres

Gargoyles

Nechryaels

Dust Devils

provide consistent high-value drops while also training combat skills.

Slayer is especially powerful because it combines:

Combat experience

Consistent GP

Access to late-game bosses

Investing in Slayer early pays off massively in the long run.

Mid-Game Bossing

Bossing becomes viable for many players in the mid-game.

Barrows is one of the most iconic OSRS money-making activities. It offers:

Decent GP per hour

Low entry requirements

Valuable unique drops

With basic combat stats and minimal gear, players can farm Barrows efficiently, making it a popular choice for accounts transitioning into bossing.

Giant Mole is another mid-game boss with reliable profits, especially for players with Falador Hard Diary completed.

Skilling for Profit

Some skilling methods become very profitable in the mid-game.

Crafting green dragonhide bodies or other leather items can generate steady GP while training Crafting.

Fletching popular ammunition such as broad bolts or darts can be profitable depending on market conditions.

Cooking high-level fish like sharks or anglerfish can be both profitable and relatively AFK, making it a great option for players who want relaxed gold farming.

Late-Game and Endgame Gold Farming

Endgame OSRS is where gold farming becomes extremely lucrative, but also more demanding.

High-Level Bossing

High-level PvM is the most profitable gold source in the game.

Bosses such as:

Zulrah

Vorkath

The Phantom Muspah

Chambers of Xeric

Theatre of Blood

can generate millions of GP per hour when played efficiently.

Zulrah and Vorkath are particularly popular because they offer consistent loot rather than relying entirely on rare drops. Their predictable income makes them ideal for funding expensive gear upgrades.

Raids offer the highest profit potential but also require strong mechanical skill, teamwork, and gear investment.

High-Risk, High-Reward Methods

Some methods offer extremely high GP per hour but come with risk.

Wilderness bosses and activities can be very profitable due to exclusive drops. However, player killers can interrupt farming and cause losses if you are unprepared.

These methods reward players who understand escape mechanics, gear risk management, and Wilderness strategy.

Advanced Skilling for Profit

Even at high levels, skilling remains a viable gold source.

Runecrafting high-level runes can be extremely profitable, especially after unlocking efficient methods.

Herblore can generate gold through cleaning herbs or making unfinished potions, though it requires careful market awareness.

Farming runs, especially with high-level patches and contracts, provide steady passive income with minimal time investment.

Passive and AFK Gold Methods

Not all gold farming requires intense focus.

AFK methods are popular for players who want to earn gold while multitasking.

Examples include:

Fishing high-level fish

Cutting magic or redwood logs

Smithing certain bars

Crafting glass or jewelry

While these methods may earn less GP per hour than bossing, their low effort makes them highly attractive.

Tips to Maximize Gold Per Hour

Efficiency is key in OSRS gold farming.

Always track market prices. What is profitable today may not be profitable tomorrow. Use the Grand Exchange wisely and adapt.

Optimize inventory and gear setups to minimize downtime. Banking efficiency matters more than many players realize.

Avoid unnecessary deaths, especially in PvM. Repair costs and lost time can significantly reduce profits.

Consider opportunity cost. Sometimes a slightly lower GP per hour method is better if it also trains valuable skills.

Common Gold Farming Mistakes

Many players fall into traps that slow their progress.

Chasing “best GP per hour” methods without the required skill or gear often leads to frustration and inefficiency.

Ignoring skill progression for short-term gold can hurt long-term account growth.

Over-risking gear in dangerous areas without proper preparation can wipe out hours of profit in seconds.

Choosing the Right Gold Farming Path

There is no single “best” way to farm gold in Old School RuneScape. The strength of OSRS lies in its variety and player choice.

Some players thrive on high-intensity bossing. Others prefer relaxed skilling or Slayer tasks. The most successful accounts often rotate between methods to avoid burnout while maintaining steady income.

The key is to align your gold farming strategy with your:

Account progression

Available playtime

Preferred playstyle

Final Thoughts

Gold farming in Old School RuneScape is as much about knowledge and planning as it is about time investment. From killing cows as a new player to farming raids and endgame bosses, every stage of progression offers meaningful ways to buy OSRS GP.

By understanding the strengths of different methods, adapting to market changes, and choosing activities that fit your goals, you can build wealth steadily and sustainably. Whether you are saving for your first big purchase or chasing max gear, mastering gold farming is one of the most rewarding parts of the OSRS experience.