Gold coins (GP) are the lifeblood of Old School RuneScape (OSRS). Whether you're buying better gear, upgrading your skills, or simply enjoying the game's many features, having a steady source of GP is crucial for progressing and enjoying all that OSRS has to offer. But how can you generate gold quickly and efficiently without relying on external methods or spending real-world money?

In this guide, we'll walk you through various strategies, methods, and tips to help you earn OSRS gold faster. From beginner-friendly techniques to advanced money-making methods, you'll learn everything you need to become a successful gold maker in Gielinor.

1. Start with the Basics: Free-to-Play Money-Making Methods

If you're just starting out in OSRS or you're a free-to-play (F2P) player, there are still plenty of ways to make gold. These methods can provide you with the capital to invest in better gear, higher-level training, or new areas.

Mining Iron Ore

One of the simplest and most efficient ways to make money in F2P is by mining Iron Ore. Iron ore is in constant demand for Smithing, and it's easy to gather at places like Varrock South Mining Site or the Mining Guild (once you're a member). Here's how to make the most of it:

Location: The best place to mine iron is in the Mining Guild (members only), as it offers the benefit of 7% more ore per load. However, even in free-to-play, mining Iron Rocks at locations like the South Varrock mine is still profitable.

Profit: A single load of Iron Ore (typically 28 ores) can fetch between 1,500-2,000 GP, depending on market conditions. In an hour, you can mine around 1,000 ores, leading to 50,000 GP or more.

Tip: Drop the ores for maximum efficiency (instead of banking them) to avoid wasting time and boost your earnings.

Fishing Lobsters or Trout/Salmon

Fishing is another solid money-making method for F2P players. While it requires some initial investment to unlock, it can yield steady profits over time.

Lobsters: Lobsters can be caught at Karamja after completing the Karamja Gloves quest, offering around 300-500 GP each. You'll need a lobster pot to catch them, and the profit is steady, especially for high-level players who can catch them efficiently.

Trout/Salmon: For those without access to higher-level fishing, catching Trout or Salmon in Barbarian Village or Shilo Village provides a nice profit margin for lower-level players. These fish can be cooked or sold raw for steady GP.

Woodcutting: Cutting Yew Trees

If you're interested in a passive money-making method, Woodcutting can be highly profitable once you've reached level 60. Yew Trees are worth cutting for high-level players, as they drop valuable Yew Logs that sell for significant amounts of gold. These logs can be cut at various locations around the world, but Edgeville is a prime location for efficient training and profit.

Profit: Yew logs can be sold for around 500-600 GP each. In an hour, you can chop around 300 logs, earning 150,000 GP or more.

Tip: Use Dragon Axes or Infernal Axes (if you have access) to speed up your Woodcutting rate.

Crafting and Selling Jewelry

Crafting is a versatile skill in OSRS that can generate substantial profits through the creation of jewelry. The main items crafted are Amulets, Rings, and Bracelets.

Methods: One of the best early-game options for crafting money is to make Opal, Jade, and Red Topaz jewelry. These can be created with low-level crafting and then sold for a decent profit on the Grand Exchange.

Tip: Crafting Amulets of Power is a great way to make money if you have the Crafting level for it. The more you level up Crafting, the more valuable items you'll be able to create and sell.

2. Member-Only Methods: Advanced Money-Making for High-Level Players

Once you become a member in OSRS, your gold-making opportunities expand drastically. Members gain access to more lucrative methods of making GP, from bossing to high-level skilling and efficient merchanting.

Slayer Tasks: Earning While Training

Slayer is a fantastic method for earning gold while simultaneously training combat stats. By killing high-level monsters on Slayer tasks, you'll gain not only combat experience but also valuable drops such as coins, high-value items, and rare materials.

Tip: Focus on tasks that yield high-value drops. For example, Abyssal Demons drop the Abyssal Whip, one of the most profitable items in the game. Blue Dragons drop Dragon Bones, which are valuable for Prayer training.

Barrows Runs: Consistent Profits from Bossing

The Barrows minigame is one of the most profitable activities for mid-level to high-level players in OSRS. It involves completing a series of puzzles and killing powerful Barrows brothers, which reward you with valuable loot, including Barrows Armor, coins, and other items.

Location: Barrows is located in the Morytania region, and you'll need a spade to dig into the crypts.

Profit: Depending on the RNG (Random Number Generator) of the chest, you could earn anywhere from 200,000 GP to over 2,000,000 GP per run if you're lucky with the loot.

Tip: You can combine Barrows with Slayer for maximum efficiency, completing Slayer tasks at the Barrows while making money from both Slayer rewards and Barrows chest loot.

Zulrah: High-Level Bossing for Consistent Profits

Zulrah is one of the most profitable bosses in OSRS, known for its drops of valuable items such as the Tanzanite Fang and Zulrah's Scales, which can be sold for huge amounts of GP. This boss requires a high level of skill and preparation, but the rewards are immense for experienced players.

Requirements: To fight Zulrah, you'll need high Ranged and Magic levels, as well as good gear for protection. The Tanzanite Fang can be turned into the powerful Toxic Blowpipe, a coveted item in OSRS.

Profit: A successful Zulrah kill can yield anywhere from 300,000 to 1,000,000 GP, depending on the drops.

PVM: Killing High-Level Monsters for Profit

If you're skilled at PvM (Player versus Monster) content, there are a number of bosses and high-level monsters you can kill for profit:

Vorkath: One of the best solo bosses in the game, Vorkath drops Dragonbone items, Vorkath's Head, and valuable resources.

Kree'arra (Armadyl boss): Known for dropping Armadyl gear, this boss can yield hundreds of thousands of GP with each successful kill.

Serachnis: Located in the Fossil Island, this boss drops items such as the Serachnis Cudgel.

3. Flipping on the Grand Exchange: Buy Low, Sell High

If you have a good eye for the market, flipping items on the Grand Exchange can be one of the most effective ways to earn cheap RS gold fast. Flipping involves buying items at a low price and selling them at a higher price for a profit.

How to Flip Items:

Choose Items to Flip: Items such as runite bars, dragon weapons, and high-value potions tend to have fluctuating prices, making them ideal for flipping.

Look for Price Gaps: Watch for items that are selling at a low price and have a larger-than-usual price gap. Buy those items, then sell them for a higher price when demand increases.

Profit Margin: By flipping efficiently, you can expect to make anywhere from 10% to 30% profit on each flip, depending on the market conditions and your skills.

Tip: Use price tracking tools such as GE Tracker or RuneLite's GE Plugin to monitor item prices and make more informed flipping decisions.

4. Miscellaneous Methods for Quick Gold

Besides skilling, bossing, and flipping, there are several other ways to earn GP in OSRS:

Treasure Trails: Completing Clue Scrolls offers the potential for massive rewards, including rare items like Third Age gear and valuable cosmetics. The loot from high-level clue scrolls can yield millions in GP.

Selling Resources: Herbs, Runes, Bars, and other crafting materials are always in demand. Regularly gathering and selling these materials can lead to steady income.

Farm Patches: Growing herbs and crops at farming patches (such as Ranarrs, Snapdragon, and Torstols) can lead to profits if you regularly check your patches.

Conclusion: Patience and Persistence Pays Off

Earning gold in OSRS is not a"get rich quick" scheme; it's about consistent effort, smart choices, and patience. Whether you're just starting out with mining iron or tackling advanced bossing content like Zulrah, there are a variety of methods you can use to build your wealth.

The key to making gold in OSRS is to diversify your approach. Don't rely on a single method—mix skilling, bossing, and market manipulation for steady income. By investing your time wisely and choosing the right activities for your level and interests, you'll be able to accumulate gold faster than you might have thought possible. Happy money-making!