Runecrafting is one of Old School RuneScape’s most notorious skills. It’s slow, demanding, and often misunderstood—but it’s also one of the most rewarding skills in the game. Whether you’re chasing diary requirements, maxing an Ironman, or stacking millions of OSRS GP, Runecrafting offers some of the best long-term payoffs in OSRS.

This updated 2026 guide breaks down everything you need to know from level 1 to 99, including the fastest experience methods, profitable routes, low-intensity options, and Ironman-specific advice.

What Is Runecrafting and Why Train It?

Runecrafting allows players to transform runes or pure essence into magical runes at altars across Gielinor. While many players train it purely for quest and diary requirements—most notably level 91 for the Elite Karamja Diary—it also stands as the most profitable non-combat skill in the game, with several methods exceeding 1M GP per hour.

For Ironmen, Runecrafting is essential. Making your own runes removes reliance on shops and enables consistent spellcasting for both PvM and skilling.

Important Quests for Runecrafting

Contrary to popular belief, Rune Mysteries is not required to start Runecrafting, but it is essential for mining essence, using lamps, and unlocking future progression. Several quests significantly improve your training efficiency or unlock powerful methods:

Key quests include:

Rune Mysteries

Enter the Abyss

Temple of the Eye

Lunar Diplomacy

Lost City

Troll Stronghold

Sins of the Father

Desert Treasure II

Dragon Slayer II

Partial completion of Fairy Tale II

These unlock Guardians of the Rift, the Abyss, Lunar spells, Daeyalt Essence, Blood and Wrath altars, and other vital tools.

Early Levels (1–27): Questing and Setup

New players and Ironmen should start with Rune Mysteries, followed immediately by Enter the Abyss, which grants early Runecrafting experience and a small essence pouch. This alone takes you to level 9.

From there, craft a small number of air or earth runes to reach level 10, then complete Temple of the Eye. This quest introduces the Guardians of the Rift minigame and boosts you straight to level 27, while also unlocking a medium essence pouch.

An alternative early method is the Arceuus Library, where players collect books to trade for experience tomes. This is viable for both Runecrafting and Magic, but is best treated as a temporary shortcut rather than a long-term solution.

Essential Runecrafting Gear

Before moving into core training methods, two item categories deserve attention:

Essence Pouches

Small, medium, large, and giant pouches increase how much essence you can carry. They degrade over time but can be repaired by the Dark Mage in the Abyss or via NPC Contact. High-level players can combine them into a Colossal Pouch using the Abyssal Needle.

Raiments of the Eye

Earned through Guardians of the Rift using Abyssal Pearls, this Runecrafting outfit increases rune output by up to 60% when worn as a full set, making it mandatory for profit-focused training.

Guardians of the Rift (27+): The Best All-Around Method

Guardians of the Rift is one of the best updates OSRS has ever received for Runecrafting. It provides:

Strong XP rates

Massive rune rewards

Access to pouches, pearls, lanterns, and needles

Ironmen are strongly encouraged to train here until at least level 77, 85, or even 99. Mains can also use it as a balanced method early on, before switching to faster or more profitable options.

Fastest XP Methods

Lava Runes

Still the fastest Runecrafting XP in the game. With Magic Imbue, binding necklaces, and optimized teleporting, players can reach 125k XP per hour. It’s extremely click-intensive and mildly expensive, but unbeatable for speed.

Essence Runners

For players with massive GP reserves, hiring runners at lava or ZMI altars can push XP rates even higher. This method is costly but offers unmatched efficiency.

ZMI (Ourania Altar)

A strong balance between effort and experience. XP and profit scale with level, making this a popular option from mid-game all the way to 99, especially after diary upgrades.

Profitable Runecrafting Methods

Nearly every Runecrafting method is profitable, but standouts include:

Astral runes (level 40+)

Nature runes (especially double natures at 91+)

Death runes (via the Abyss)

Blood runes (true Blood altar with Blood Essence)

Wrath runes (level 95+, Dragon Slayer II)

Ether runes (new high-level combo rune method)

Several of these exceed 2M GP per hour at high levels with the right setup.

Low-Intensity (AFK-Style) Training

True AFK Runecrafting doesn’t exist, but Zeah Blood and Soul runes offer the lowest intensity experience in the skill. Mining essence blocks provides brief AFK windows, making this a favorite method from 77–99 for players who value comfort over speed.

Recommended Paths to 99

Main account (balanced):

1–27: Questing

27–75: Guardians of the Rift

75–99: ZMI or Zeah

Ironman:

1–27: Questing

27–85+: Guardians of the Rift

85–99: Blood runes or continue GOTR

Fastest:

27 → Lunar Diplomacy → Lava runes to 99

Most profitable:

Guardians of the Rift → Natures → Deaths → Astrals → Ether/Wrath runes

Runecrafting may never be everyone’s favorite skill, but with modern updates and smart planning, it’s more rewarding than ever. Whether you’re chasing XP, gold, or self-sufficiency, there’s a Runecrafting path that fits your playstyle. A large amount of RuneScape gold can also be very helpful.