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Top 10 Best AFK Money Making Methods in OSRS 2026

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Quick Decision Snapshot

The top 10 AFK money-making methods in OSRS 2026. Earn GP with minimal attention — ranked by GP/hr, skill requirements, and how truly hands-off each method is.

  • The top 10 AFK money-making methods in OSRS 2026
  • Earn GP with minimal attention — ranked by GP/hr, skill requirements, and how truly hands-off each method is.

Looking for ways to make OSRS gold while watching Netflix, working, or studying? This definitive ranked list breaks down the top 10 AFK money making methods in 2026, with requirements, profit rates, and how AFK each method really is.

AFK Rating System

We use a 5-star AFK rating:

  • ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Max AFK: 5+ minutes between clicks
  • ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆ Very AFK: 2-5 minutes between clicks
  • ⭐⭐⭐☆☆ Medium AFK: 1-2 minutes between clicks
  • ⭐⭐☆☆☆ Low AFK: 30-60 seconds between clicks
  • ⭐☆☆☆☆ Barely AFK: Under 30 seconds between clicks

Top 10 Ranked

#1: Gargoyles (75 Slayer)

GP/Hour: 600-800K AFK Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆ (Very AFK)

Requirements:

  • 75 Slayer
  • 80+ Melee stats
  • Rock hammer (to finish them)
  • Guthan's recommended (for healing)

Why #1:

  • Consistent 600-800K/hr
  • Very AFK combat (camp Guthan's, 2-3 min clicks)
  • No supplies needed if using Guthan's
  • Accessible requirements
  • Gold from alchables
  • Can watch TV/work while playing

Location: Slayer Tower (Canifis)

Setup:

  • Full Guthan's set (for passive healing)
  • Or Proselyte + Prayer (less AFK, needs potions)
  • Rock hammer in inventory
  • High alchemy runes

Downsides:

  • Requires Slayer task (or unlock "Like a boss")
  • Need 75 Slayer

Related Tool: Combat Calculator

#2: Brutal Black Dragons (77 Slayer)

GP/Hour: 800K-1M AFK Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆ (Very AFK)

Requirements:

  • 77 Slayer
  • 90+ Ranged
  • 70+ Defence
  • Extended antifire (or shield + antifire)

Why #2:

  • Excellent profit (800K-1M/hr)
  • Very AFK Ranged training
  • Consistent drops (black d'hide, dragon weapons)
  • Safe location (no PKers)
  • 2-3 minute clicks

Location: Catacombs of Kourend

Setup:

Downsides:

  • Requires 77 Slayer
  • Expensive gear needed (100M+ for efficiency)
  • Need extended antifire (Herblore req)

Loot:

  • Black dragonhide (noted)
  • Dragon weapons (longsword, dagger)
  • Rune items
  • Dragon bones

#3: Rune Dragons (Fossil Island)

GP/Hour: 1.2-1.8M AFK Rating: ⭐⭐⭐☆☆ (Medium AFK)

Requirements:

  • Combat 90+
  • Completion of Dragon Slayer II quest
  • 90+ Melee stats
  • Extended super antifire
  • Insulated boots

Why #3:

  • Highest profit on this list
  • Semi-AFK melee combat
  • Rune bar drops (very valuable)
  • Dragon limbs (crossbow limbs)

Location: Lithkren (Fossil Island)

Setup:

  • Dragon hunter lance (BiS) or Zamorakian hasta
  • Bandos armor or fighter torso setup
  • Extended super antifire
  • Insulated boots (to avoid lightning damage)
  • Protect from Magic

Downsides:

  • Not as AFK (need to prayer flick, dodge special attacks)
  • Dangerous (can die if not paying attention)
  • Long quest requirement
  • Expensive gear (100M+ for lance)

Why Not #1: Less AFK than Gargoyles, higher danger

#4: Skeletal Wyverns (72 Slayer)

GP/Hour: 600-800K AFK Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆ (Very AFK)

Requirements:

  • 72 Slayer
  • 80+ Ranged
  • 70+ Defence
  • Elemental shield or Dragonfire shield

Why #4:

  • Very AFK ranged training
  • Consistent profit
  • Granite legs (rare, 3M drop)
  • Safe and chill

Location: Asgarnia Ice Dungeon

Setup:

  • Armadyl crossbow or Dragon hunter crossbow
  • Blessed d'hide or Armadyl
  • Elemental/Dragonfire shield
  • Extended antifire
  • Protect from Magic

Downsides:

  • Requires 72 Slayer
  • Can be crowded
  • Wyvern bones (unnoted, must bank)

Loot:

  • Wyvern bones (good Prayer XP)
  • Granite legs (rare)
  • Rune items
  • Herbs

#5: Anglerfish Fishing (82 Fishing)

GP/Hour: 400-550K AFK Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (Max AFK)

Requirements:

Why #5:

  • Most AFK method on this list
  • Can AFK 5+ minutes (until inventory full)
  • Zero risk
  • Mobile-friendly
  • Watch movies/work while fishing

Location: Piscarilius (Zeah fishing area)

Setup:

  • Fishing rod
  • Sandworms (bait, buy from shop)
  • Graceful outfit (or weight-reducing gear)
  • Banking method (house teleport)

Downsides:

  • Requires high Fishing level (82)
  • Need 100% Piscarilius favor
  • Lower profit than combat methods
  • Slow gathering (low XP/hr)

Profit Tips:

  • Fish during peak times (prices spike)
  • Note: Anglerfish used for PvM healing (always in demand)

Related Tool: Fishing Calculator

#6: Amethyst Mining (92 Mining)

GP/Hour: 400-500K AFK Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (Max AFK)

Requirements:

Why #6:

  • Extremely AFK (4-5 min per rock)
  • Zero risk
  • Click once every 3-5 minutes
  • Perfect for mobile
  • Consistent profit

Location: Mining Guild (deep area)

Setup:

  • Dragon pickaxe (ideally)
  • Varrock armor 4 (for chance of double ore)
  • Celestial ring (optional, +4 invisible mining boost)
  • Teleport to bank

Downsides:

  • Requires 92 Mining (very high req)
  • Song of the Elves quest
  • Lower profit than some combat methods

Loot:

  • Amethyst (craft into dart tips, javelin heads, arrows)
  • Profit: 400-500K/hr consistent

Why People Love It: The most AFK mining method that's also profitable

Related Tool: Mining Calculator

#7: Cannonballs (35 Smithing)

GP/Hour: 200-300K AFK Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (Max AFK)

Requirements:

Why #7:

  • Extremely AFK (3-minute timer per inventory)
  • Very low requirements
  • Mobile-friendly
  • Zero risk
  • Good for alts

Location: Edgeville furnace (best)

Setup:

  • Steel bars (buy on GE)
  • Ammo mould
  • Ice gloves or bucket of water (optional, faster banking)

Process:

  1. Use steel bar on furnace
  2. AFK for 2.5 minutes
  3. Bank and repeat

Downsides:

  • Lower profit (200-300K/hr)
  • Boring (most mind-numbing method)
  • Slow Smithing XP

Why It's Popular: Perfect alt account money maker (AFK timer aligns with main account play)

Related Tool: Smithing Calculator

#8: Karambwans Cooking (30 Cooking)

GP/Hour: 300-400K AFK Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆ (Very AFK)

Requirements:

  • 30 Cooking (65+ recommended for less burning)
  • Tai Bwo Wannai Trio quest
  • Completion of Hosidius kitchen favor (for 0% burn rate)

Why #8:

  • Very AFK cooking
  • Low requirements
  • Mobile-friendly
  • Minimal risk (only burn at low levels)
  • Passive profit

Location: Hosidius kitchen (0% burn rate at 30 Cooking)

Setup:

  • Raw karambwans (buy from GE)
  • Hosidius kitchen range
  • Cooking gauntlets (optional, reduces burn)

Process:

  1. Buy raw karambwans
  2. Cook at Hosidius kitchen
  3. Sell cooked karambwans
  4. Profit: 150-250 GP per karambwan

Downsides:

  • Requires Hosidius favor (100%)
  • Need Tai Bwo Wannai Trio quest
  • Moderate profit (not amazing)

Why Popular: One of the few profitable Cooking methods

Related Tool: Cooking Calculator

#9: Farming Herbs (Herb Runs)

GP/Hour: 400-800K per run (10-15 minutes) AFK Rating: ⭐⭐⭐☆☆ (Medium "AFK" - done in bursts)

Requirements:

  • 32+ Farming (Ranarr) to 85+ (Snapdragon)
  • Seed investment (~100-300K per run)
  • Lunar Diplomacy (for Fertile Soil spell, optional)

Why #9:

  • Best GP per time invested
  • 800K profit in 10 minutes
  • Do 1-2x per day
  • Passive income
  • Perfect complement to other activities

Locations: 9 herb patches:

  • Ardougne
  • Falador
  • Catherby
  • Port Phasmatys
  • Hosidius (Zeah)
  • Farming Guild (disease-free)
  • Weiss (disease-free)
  • Harmony Island
  • Troll Stronghold

Setup:

  • Snapdragon/Ranarr/Torstol seeds
  • Ultracompost (prevents disease)
  • Magic secateurs
  • Farming cape or Fairy rings for travel

Why #9 and not higher: Not continuous activity, done in 10-15 min bursts

Profit per Run:

  • Ranarr (32 Farming): 100-200K profit
  • Snapdragon (62 Farming): 200-400K profit
  • Torstol (85 Farming): 300-600K profit

Related Tool: Farming Calculator | Herb Run Calculator | Farming Timers

#10: NMZ with Herb Boxes (Dream Mentor Quest)

GP/Hour: ~50-100K profit (plus combat XP) AFK Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (Max AFK)

Requirements:

  • Dream Mentor quest (+ prerequisites)
  • 70+ combat stats
  • Absorption potions
  • Overload potions

Why #10:

  • Max AFK combat training (15-20 min)
  • Earn NMZ points
  • Buy 15 herb boxes/day (150K value)
  • Profitable combat training
  • Mobile-friendly

Location: Nightmare Zone (Yanille)

Setup:

  • Dharok's set (for max damage at 1 HP)
  • Absorption potions (1K absorb per dose)
  • Overload potions (stat boost)
  • Rock cake (get to 1 HP)

Process:

  1. Enter hard custom rumble
  2. Select easy bosses
  3. Rock cake to 1 HP
  4. Overload
  5. Absorption potions
  6. AFK 15-20 minutes
  7. Use points to buy herb boxes (9,500 pts = 10K profit)

Downsides:

  • Daily limit (15 herb boxes)
  • Need to unlock overloads
  • Requires many quests
  • Profit is secondary (main benefit is XP)

Why #10: Lowest pure GP/hr, but great for combat training + passive profit

Related Guide: NMZ vs Slayer Comparison

Honorable Mentions

Sacred Eels (87 Fishing, 72 Cooking)

  • GP/Hour: 300-400K
  • AFK: ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆
  • Why not top 10: High requirements, lower profit than alternatives

Redwood Trees (90 Woodcutting)

  • GP/Hour: 150-250K
  • AFK: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
  • Why not top 10: Low profit

Vyrewatch Sentinels (Darkmeyer)

  • GP/Hour: 400-600K
  • AFK: ⭐⭐☆☆☆
  • Why not top 10: Not AFK enough

Blood Runes via Runecrafting (77 RC)

  • GP/Hour: 400-500K
  • AFK: ⭐⭐⭐☆☆
  • Why not top 10: True essence mining required, not AFK enough

Best Method by Category

Best Overall: Gargoyles (75 Slayer)

  • Balances profit, AFK level, and accessibility

Most AFK: Anglerfish or Amethyst Mining

  • Can AFK 5+ minutes

Best Profit: Rune Dragons (1.2-1.8M/hr)

  • But less AFK

Lowest Requirements: Cannonballs (35 Smithing)

  • Anyone can do this

Best for Mobile: Anglerfish, Cannonballs, Amethyst

  • Max AFK = mobile-friendly

Best Passive Income: Herb Runs

  • 800K profit in 10 minutes, 2x/day

Requirements Comparison Table

Method Level Req GP/Hour AFK Rating
Gargoyles 75 Slayer 600-800K ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆
Brutal Black Dragons 77 Slayer 800K-1M ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆
Rune Dragons 90 Combat 1.2-1.8M ⭐⭐⭐☆☆
Skeletal Wyverns 72 Slayer 600-800K ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆
Anglerfish 82 Fishing 400-550K ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Amethyst Mining 92 Mining 400-500K ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Cannonballs 35 Smithing 200-300K ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Karambwans 30 Cooking 300-400K ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆
Herb Runs 32-85 Farming 400-800K/run ⭐⭐⭐☆☆
NMZ 70 Combat 50-100K ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Tips for Maximum AFK

1. Use RuneLite Plugins

  • Idle notifier (alerts when character stops)
  • Item tracker
  • Screen markers

2. Set Up Alt Accounts

  • Do max AFK on alt (cannonballs, anglerfish)
  • Active play on main
  • Double profit

3. Herb Runs Between AFK

  • AFK Gargoyles
  • Do herb run every 80 minutes
  • Maximize profit per hour

4. Mobile + Alt Setup

  • AFK on mobile (anglerfish, amethyst)
  • Active on PC (bossing, raids)
  • Best profit/hr combined

5. Use Guthan's Everywhere

  • Gargoyles with Guthan's = no food needed
  • Wyverns with Guthan's (less efficient but more AFK)
  • No supplies = more AFK

What NOT to Do for AFK Money

High Alchemy

  • Requires click every 3 seconds
  • Not AFK at all
  • Profit: 100-200K/hr (not worth it)

Fletching Darts

  • Constant clicking
  • Barely profitable
  • Not AFK enough

Sand Crabs / Ammonite Crabs

  • Zero profit
  • Just XP

Splashing

  • Zero profit
  • Just magic XP
  • Complete waste

FAQ

What is the best AFK money making method in OSRS?

Gargoyles at 75 Slayer is the best AFK money maker for most players, earning 600-800K GP/hr with very high AFK potential. It needs 75 Slayer, 80+ melee stats, and a rock hammer, with Guthan's recommended for healing.

How much money do AFK cannonballs make?

Cannonball smithing at 35 Smithing earns 200-300K GP/hr with max AFK and very low requirements. It is the lowest-requirement method on the list and is perfect for alt accounts, with each inventory taking about three minutes.

What is the most AFK money making method?

Anglerfish fishing at 82 Fishing and Amethyst mining at 92 Mining are the most AFK methods, allowing 5+ minutes between clicks. Both are zero-risk and mobile-friendly; Anglerfish needs 100% Piscarilius favour, while Amethyst needs Song of the Elves.

What is the most profitable AFK method?

Rune Dragons are the most profitable method on the list at 1.2-1.8M GP/hr, but they are only medium AFK and require Dragon Slayer II. Gargoyles are more AFK at 600-800K GP/hr and carry no PKer risk.

How much GP per hour do herb runs make?

Herb runs earn 400-800K GP per run, which takes 10-15 minutes and can be done 1-2 times per day. They offer the best GP per time invested and complement other AFK activities, with snapdragon and torstol giving the highest profit.

What Slayer level do you need for Gargoyles?

Gargoyles require 75 Slayer plus 80+ melee stats, a rock hammer to finish them, and Guthan's is recommended for healing. They are found in the Slayer Tower in Canifis, earn 600-800K GP/hr, and are very AFK.

Final Recommendations

For Beginners (Low Combat/Skills):

  1. Cannonballs (35 Smithing)
  2. Karambwans (30 Cooking + quest)
  3. Herb Runs (32+ Farming)

For Mid-Level (75+ Combat):

  1. Gargoyles (75 Slayer) - Best overall
  2. Skeletal Wyverns (72 Slayer)
  3. Herb Runs

For High-Level (90+ Combat):

  1. Rune Dragons (highest profit)
  2. Brutal Black Dragons
  3. Gargoyles (more AFK)

For Skilling-Focused:

  1. Anglerfish (82 Fishing)
  2. Amethyst Mining (92 Mining)
  3. Herb Runs (complements everything)

For Mobile Players:

  1. Anglerfish (max AFK)
  2. Cannonballs (perfect mobile method)
  3. Amethyst Mining (max AFK)

Conclusion

The best AFK money maker for most players is Gargoyles (75 Slayer). It combines excellent profit (600-800K/hr), high AFK potential, and accessible requirements.

For max AFK, choose Anglerfish or Amethyst Mining (5+ minute AFK).

For max profit, choose Rune Dragons (1.2-1.8M/hr, but less AFK).

For low requirements, choose Cannonballs (35 Smithing, 200-300K/hr).

Best strategy: Combine multiple methods:

  • Gargoyles on main
  • Herb runs every 80 minutes
  • Cannonballs on alt

This gives you 800K-1M+/hr total with minimal active attention!

Good luck, and happy AFK money making! 💰💤

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Sources & methodology

XP rates, requirements, and drop data in this guide are cross-checked against the OSRS Wiki and verified against in-game behaviour. Grand Exchange prices move daily, so treat GP/hr figures as estimates and confirm current prices with the OSRS Wiki price tracker before committing to a method.