One of Old School RuneScape’s biggest strengths is the freedom it gives players. You can choose to play at maximum focus, sweating every tick for optimal efficiency, or you can take a slower, more relaxed approach while watching a movie, working on a second monitor, or playing on mobile. AFK money-making sits perfectly in that second category, allowing you to earn cheap OSRS gold and experience with minimal attention. Understanding how AFK different activities really are is key, because not all “AFK” methods are created equal.

Understanding AFK Intensity Levels

Low-intensity methods usually require a click every 30 to 60 seconds. You’re still present, but your attention doesn’t need to be locked on the game. Very AFK methods push that to one or two minutes between interactions, letting you fully focus on something else. True AFK methods stretch to five minutes or more, where you can almost forget the game is running. With those categories in mind, here are some of the best AFK money makers OSRS has to offer.

Semi-AFK Combat: Vyrewatch Sentinels

Vyrewatch Sentinels are one of the most popular AFK methods right now, and for good reason. After completing Sins of the Father, you unlock access to these monsters along with the Blisterwood Flail. The key mechanic is that Vyrewatch Sentinels are permanently aggressive unless you’re wearing their disguise, meaning they automatically attack you nonstop. With Protect from Melee and a low-level offensive prayer active, you can AFK for as long as your prayer lasts—often seven to eight minutes at a time. Using prayer bonus gear like Proselyte makes this even more relaxed. The profit mainly comes from blood shards, which are rare but extremely valuable. While you might only see one every ten hours or so, the overall profit averages around 900k GP per hour, making this a top-tier semi-true AFK option.

Easy AFK Skilling: Weiss Salt Mines

The Weiss salt mines offer one of the simplest AFK money makers in the game. After completing Making Friends with My Arm and reaching 72 Mining, you can mine salt deposits just west of Weiss. The appeal here is that salt is stackable, meaning you never need to bank. You simply click a rock every 30 seconds and let the resources pile up. While the Mining XP is terrible, the GP rate sits around 450k to 500k per hour with almost zero movement. This method shines on mobile and is ideal if you want something mindless that still adds up over time.

High-End AFK Combat: Rune Dragons and Gargoyles

Rune dragons sit at the higher end of AFK money making, both in requirements and rewards. Completing Dragon Slayer II is mandatory, and solid gear is required, ideally including a Dragon Hunter Lance. With Protect from Magic active and insulated boots equipped, rune dragons deal very little damage. The gameplay loop is simple: pick up drops, sip prayer potions, eat when necessary, and dump special attacks. You’re clicking every 30 to 60 seconds, but profits often exceed one million GP per hour alongside strong combat experience.

Gargoyles offer one of the best profit-to-effort ratios in the entire game. With just 75 Slayer and a decent crush weapon, you can start farming them either on or off task. Their profitability skyrocketed with the introduction of the Granite Maul, which significantly boosted their drop value. Unlocking the auto-smasher from the Slayer reward shop is essential, as it removes the need to manually use a rock hammer and dramatically improves AFK time. Depending on your setup, you can AFK for one to three minutes per interaction while earning close to one million GP per hour.

Semi-AFK Combat: Brutal Black Dragons

Brutal black dragons have also become far more appealing thanks to rising dragon bone prices. With 77 Slayer, a dragon crossbow, diamond bolts, and solid ranged gear, this becomes a very relaxed activity. Protect from Magic, combined with super antifire potions, reduces incoming damage to almost nothing. As long as you avoid being meleed up close, the method is extremely safe. Clicks are required every 30 to 60 seconds, but the profits are strong and consistent, making this a solid semi-AFK combat option.

True AFK Skilling: Fishing and Mining

For true AFK skilling, fishing karambwans with a fish barrel stands out. After completing Tai Bwo Wannai Trio and reaching 65 Fishing, you can fish at a spot that never moves. With a fish barrel from Tempoross, your AFK time doubles, letting you fish for nearly six minutes straight without interaction. Profit is modest at around 200k GP per hour, but the effort required is almost nonexistent.

Sacred eels offer another AFK fishing option for higher-level players. Unlocked at 87 Fishing and processed with at least 72 Cooking, each eel breaks down into Zulrah scales on the spot. The fishing spots move very slowly, allowing one to three minutes of AFK time, and you never need to bank since the scales are stackable. Profit depends heavily on your Cooking level, but this method combines convenience, consistency, and decent returns.

Amethyst mining is one of the most hands-off money makers in the game, unlocked at 92 Mining. Rocks can last anywhere from one to five minutes before depleting, offering incredible AFK potential. While profits hover around 300k per hour with modest Mining XP, the sheer relaxation makes it appealing. Chiseling amethyst into dart tips keeps everything stackable, letting you mine indefinitely without banking.

Classic AFK Methods: Cannonballs and Cooking

Classic AFK methods still hold value, too. Making cannonballs requires only 35 Smithing, and the double ammo mold from Giants’ Foundry significantly boosts profits. With roughly 90 seconds of AFK time per inventory, it’s a reliable, low-effort money maker. Cooking anglerfish is another staple, offering up to 350k GP per hour alongside massive Cooking XP, especially for players training past 99.

Finding the Right AFK Method for You

Ultimately, the best AFK money-making method isn’t the one with the highest GP per hour—it’s the one that fits your real-life schedule. An hour here while working or studying quickly adds up. Pick a method that matches your stats and attention level, and you’ll be surprised how much OSRS gold you can earn without ever fully focusing on the game.