Old School RuneScape (OSRS) offers a vast world filled with opportunities to make gold, no matter your combat level or skills. For new players or those with low-level accounts, making money can sometimes feel slow or frustrating. However, with the right methods and knowledge, even low-level players can build up a solid gold reserve to fund their adventures, gear upgrades, or skill training.

 

This comprehensive guide will walk you through the best money-making methods suitable for low-level players in OSRS. Whether you are a beginner or just want efficient ways to earn gold early on, these tips and strategies will help you thrive and get OSRS gold easily.

 

Why Focus on Low-Level Money Making?

In OSRS, money-making opportunities often scale with your combat or skill levels. High-level players have access to lucrative bosses, rare drops, and high-level skilling content. But low-level players face certain restrictions:

 

Limited combat ability to kill high-level monsters.

 

Lower skill levels for profitable resource gathering.

 

Less access to high-demand items or gear.

 

Despite these challenges, low-level money-making methods exist that are accessible, safe, and rewarding for new players. The gold you earn early on is vital for buying better equipment, supplies, or unlocking higher-level content. Plus, many methods help you train your skills while making money, killing two birds with one stone.

 

Basic Principles of Low-Level Money Making

Before diving into specific methods, it's important to understand some fundamental principles:

 

1. Efficiency Over Profit Per Hour

At low levels, some of the most profitable methods require skills or combat levels you might not have yet. Instead, focus on methods that are efficient for your current level, even if the gold per hour is lower.

 

2. Avoid Risky or Expensive Methods

Don't waste gold on expensive gear or supplies you can't afford. Opt for safe, low-cost methods that minimize death risks or item loss.

 

3. Combine Money Making with Training

Look for activities that train skills like fishing, mining, woodcutting, or combat while earning gold. This accelerates your overall progress.

 

4. Use the Grand Exchange Wisely

The Grand Exchange (GE) is your main marketplace for buying and selling items. Familiarize yourself with item prices and try to buy low and sell high when possible.

 

Top Low-Level Money Making Methods in OSRS

Here are some of the best ways for low-level players to make money, grouped by skill or activity type.

 

1. Combat-Based Money Making

If you prefer combat, these methods will suit you best. They require relatively low combat levels and basic gear.

 

a. Killing Chickens and Cows

Location: Lumbridge farm and nearby areas.

 

Profit: Mainly from feathers (used in fletching and fishing bait) and cowhides (used in crafting).

 

Requirements: Very low combat; even level 1 attack can kill chickens.

 

Tips: Collect all feathers and cowhides and sell them on the GE. Feathers stack, so you can collect many before selling.

 

b. Killing Hill Giants

Location: Edgeville Dungeon or the Giants' Plateau.

 

Profit: Hill Giants drop big bones (used for Prayer training), limpwurt roots, and some rune items.

 

Requirements: Combat level 30+ recommended.

 

Tips: Bring food, and if possible, use multi-combat areas to kill multiple giants at once. Sell big bones for steady GP.

 

c. Killing Moss Giants

Location: Varrock Sewers or nearby areas.

 

Profit: Moss Giants drop iron arrows, herbs, and some coins.

 

Requirements: Combat level 40+ recommended.

 

Tips: Use an iron or steel weapon for better kill speeds.

 

2. Skilling-Based Money Making

Skilling offers consistent and relatively safe money-making methods that scale with your levels.

 

a. Fishing

Method: Catching shrimp, anchovies, or trout.

 

Location: Lumbridge Swamp, Barbarian Village, or River Lum.

 

Profit: Sell raw fish on the GE.

 

Levels: Start at level 1 fishing; trout requires level 20 fishing.

 

Tips: Cooking your fish before selling can increase profits but also involves more time and risk.

 

b. Woodcutting

Method: Chop regular trees, then oak and willow as you level.

 

Location: Lumbridge, Draynor Village, or Barbarian Village.

 

Profit: Sell logs on the GE.

 

Levels: Level 1 for regular trees, level 15+ for oak, and level 30+ for willow.

 

Tips: Willows are faster to chop and more profitable, but they require higher levels.

 

c. Mining

Method: Mine copper and tin, then iron and coal.

 

Location: Mining Guild, Al Kharid, or Dwarven Mine.

 

Profit: Sell ores on the GE.

 

Levels: Level 1 for copper/tin, level 15+ for iron.

 

Tips: Iron ore is in demand, so mining and selling iron is an excellent early-game method.

 

d. Collecting and Selling Cowhides

Method: Kill cows for cowhides.

 

Location: Lumbridge cow field.

 

Profit: Cowhides are valuable for crafting and leatherworking.

 

Tips: Sell raw hides or tan them using a tanner for more profit (requires some crafting and quest progress).

 

3. Miscellaneous Money Making Methods

These methods don't fall neatly into combat or skilling but can provide extra gold.

 

a. Collecting Flax and Making Bowstrings

Location: Seers' Village flax field.

 

Method: Pick flax and spin it into bowstrings.

 

Profit: Bowstrings sell better than raw flax.

 

Levels: Level 10+ crafting to spin flax.

 

Tips: Bowstrings are in demand for fletching; this method is low risk and decent profit.

 

b. Buying and Reselling Items on the Grand Exchange

Method: Look for underpriced items and flip them for profit.

 

Requirements: Knowledge of market prices and patience.

 

Tips: Start with cheap items and small margins. Use OSRS price trackers and forums to identify opportunities.

 

Tips for Maximizing Your Earnings

1. Use Efficient Routes and Tools

Always plan your activities efficiently to minimize downtime. For example, use teleport tablets or runes to save time traveling.

 

2. Join a Clan or Community

Many OSRS clans offer support, advice, and access to group activities that can increase your income.

 

3. Train Relevant Skills Together

Pair money-making with skill training to gain levels while earning gold. For example, fishing shrimps while leveling fishing.

 

4. Avoid Risky PvP Areas

If you are low level and new, avoid high-risk PvP zones unless you want to take risks for higher rewards.

 

What to Do With Your Earnings?

Once you start making money, consider these investments:

 

Buy better weapons and armor to increase your combat efficiency.

 

Purchase supplies like food, runes, and tools for more advanced activities.

 

Invest in skill-boosting items (e.g., better fishing rods, hatchets, pickaxes).

 

Save gold to start higher-level money-making methods later.

 

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Selling items for too cheapest OSRS gold: Always check current prices before selling.

 

Using expensive gear early: Save gold instead of buying gear you can't afford or don't need.

 

Ignoring skill training: Skills unlock better money-making opportunities.

 

Ignoring quests: Many quests give useful rewards that can improve your money-making capabilities.

 

Conclusion

Making money at low levels in OSRS is entirely possible with the right approach. Focus on methods that match your skills and combat levels, prioritize efficiency, and combine money-making with training. Whether you prefer combat, skilling, or flipping items on the Grand Exchange, there's a method suited to you.

 

Start small, be patient, and as you build your gold reserves, you'll unlock even more lucrative opportunities. Remember, every coin earned is a step closer to mastering Gielinor's vast and exciting world.

 

Good luck, and may your bank balance grow swiftly!