Old School RuneScape Beginner's Guide: How to Farm Gold Fast
This beginner's money making guide will walk you through some of the best, most accessible, and efficient ways to earn gold fast in Old School RuneScape. These methods are designed with new players in mind, meaning you don't need high combat or skill levels to get started.
Why Is Making Gold Important in OSRS?
Gold, often called GP, is the currency that drives OSRS's player economy. With enough GP, you can:
Purchase better weapons and armor.
Buy supplies for training combat or skills.
Invest in profitable skill training methods.
Trade and flip items for more gold.
Complete quests that require items or fees.
Getting your gold flow started early means you can progress more smoothly and enjoy the game to its fullest.
Beginner-Friendly Money Making Methods
1. Collecting and Selling Logs
One of the simplest ways for beginners to make money is by cutting trees and selling logs.
Why it works: Logs are always in demand for Firemaking and Fletching training.
Where to do it: Start with normal trees around Lumbridge or Varrock.
How to sell: Drop logs or bank them and sell to the Grand Exchange (GE) for a steady income.
Tips:
Level up your Woodcutting skill to unlock better trees (oak, willow).
As you unlock better trees, logs will sell for more GP.
Cut and bank logs for more efficient selling.
2. Fishing and Selling Raw Fish
Fishing is a low-level skill that's great for making money quickly.
Best fish for beginners: Shrimp, anchovies, and trout.
Where to fish: Lumbridge Swamp (Shrimp), Barbarian Village (Trout).
Selling: Sell fish raw at the GE or to fishing shops.
Tips:
Cook fish for a higher selling price once your Cooking level is higher.
Use fishing spots with multiple nets or rods to speed up gathering.
Focus on trout and salmon once you unlock better fishing spots.
3. Killing Chickens and Collecting Feathers
Chickens are low-level monsters near Lumbridge, great for beginners.
Why it works: Feathers are used in Fishing and Fletching and sell well.
How: Kill chickens for feathers and raw chicken meat.
Selling: Sell feathers on the GE or use them for your own fishing bait.
Tips:
Feathers sell for decent prices, especially early on.
You can train combat simultaneously while collecting feathers.
Cook chicken meat for extra cooking experience or sell it.
4. Mining Copper and Tin Ore
Mining is a fundamental skill and mining copper and tin ores early can earn you money.
Where to mine: South of Lumbridge, near the river, and other beginner mining areas.
How to sell: Sell ores directly to the GE or use them for Smithing.
Tips:
Gather ores in bulk before selling for better prices to buy OSRS gold.
Level up Mining to access iron and coal, which sell for more.
Try to mine in popular spots with less competition for faster gathering.
5. Picking and Selling Herbs and Flowers
Herblore materials and farming can be profitable if you know what to pick.
What to pick: Marigolds, limpwurt roots, and other commonly found herbs.
Where to find them: Near farming patches or around the game world.
Selling: Herbs sell for decent money, especially to players training Herblore.
Tips:
Pick herbs daily for steady income.
Use the Farming skill to grow valuable herbs as you progress.
Sell harvested herbs on the GE or trade directly with players.
Intermediate Money Making Methods (For Slightly Higher Levels)
1. Killing Cows for Cowhide
After some combat training, killing cows for cowhide can be lucrative.
Why: Cowhide is used for crafting and sells for a good amount.
Where: Cows are found near Lumbridge and other farming areas.
How: Kill cows, collect hides, and sell in bulk.
Tips:
Craft leather items yourself for more profit if you have Crafting levels.
Use cowhide for training Crafting through tanning and making items.
Check GE prices regularly for best selling opportunities.
2. Flax Picking and Spinning
Flax can be collected and spun into bowstrings, which are always in demand.
Where to pick flax: Seers' Village flax field.
How: Pick flax, spin it into bowstrings at the spinning wheel, and sell.
Tips:
Spinning increases the value significantly.
Bowstrings are essential for Fletching, so they have a consistent demand.
Flax picking is fast and easy for beginners.
3. Crafting and Selling Jewelry
Using low-level crafting materials, make simple jewelry for a decent profit.
Materials: Gold bars, gems, and rings.
How: Use the Crafting skill at an anvil to make rings or amulets.
Selling: Sell crafted jewelry on the GE.
Tips:
Buy materials in bulk to reduce costs.
Look out for popular items that are in demand.
Use Jewelry crafting for combined profit and Crafting experience.
Advanced Beginner Tips for Making Gold Fast
1. Use the Grand Exchange Effectively
The Grand Exchange (GE) is OSRS's marketplace and your best tool for buying and selling.
Always check current prices before selling.
Use GE price trackers online to avoid underpricing items.
Sell items in bulk to maximize your profits.
2. Complete Quests With Money Rewards
Many beginner quests reward you with gold or valuable items.
Examples include "Romeo & Juliet," "Cook's Assistant," and "Doric's Quest."
Quests also unlock access to new money-making areas.
3. Train Skills That Make Money
Focus on skills like Woodcutting, Fishing, Mining, and Crafting early. These skills can make you money both actively and passively.
Train skills while gathering resources.
Sell gathered materials to fund your training.
4. Avoid Spending on Unnecessary Items
Be mindful of spending on items that don't significantly improve your gameplay early on. Save gold to invest in better tools and gear.
Common Mistakes to Avoid When Making Gold
Ignoring the Grand Exchange: Selling items at NPC shops often gives poor returns compared to the GE.
Selling Rare Items Cheap: Research rare or unique items before selling; some are worth more than you think.
Not Banking Items: Dropping valuable items to make space wastes potential gold.
Focusing Only on One Method: Mixing several money-making methods keeps things fresh and maximizes income.
Final Thoughts
Earning gold fast in Old School RuneScape doesn't require high-level skills or complicated strategies. Starting with simple resource gathering like woodcutting, fishing, and mining can build a solid foundation. As you progress, incorporating combat-based methods and crafting can boost your income significantly.
Remember that patience and consistency pay off in OSRS's economy. Use the Grand Exchange smartly, complete quests for rewards, and keep an eye on the market trends. With these beginner-friendly tips and methods, you'll be well on your way to accumulating wealth and enjoying everything OSRS has to offer.