Want to make GP without bossing or grinding for hours? Or maybe you want a long-term investment to maximise gains?
Welcome to OSRS flipping, the art of buying low and selling high on the Grand Exchange (GE). Whether you’re a fresh F2P player or a seasoned one sitting on a fat cash stack, flipping can be a great way of earning GP. But you have to know what to flip and the best methods, or else you are more likely to lose.
Let’s dive in.
What is OSRS Flipping?
OSRS flipping is when you buy an item for one price, and then sell it for more, pocketing the profit in between. Sounds simple, right? It is. But the real skill comes in knowing what to flip, when to flip, and how long to hold. That’s what we will be going into today.
Before we dive into a more detailed flipping guide for each GP wealth level, I suggest you first read the headings below if you are not familiar with flipping –
What Every OSRS Flipper Should Know
Why Flipping Works in OSRS
Flipping works in OSRS because of the constant market activity on the Grand Exchange. Prices move up and down due to player demand, updates, and changing metas. This volatility creates opportunities to buy items at a low price and sell them for a profit. Plus, the GE’s liquidity, millions of players trading every day, means there’s almost always a buyer or seller waiting, which keeps the market dynamic and profitable.
Understanding GE Taxes and Their Impact
Every trade on the Grand Exchange includes a 2% GE tax fee, taken only from the selling price. This means if you sell an item for 1 million GP, you receive 980,000 GP after tax. For flippers, this tax eats into your profit margin, so your flips need to cover at least a 2% price increase just to break even. Always factor in this fee when calculating potential profits, small margins might not be worth the risk.
Common Flipping Mistakes to Avoid
Even the best flippers slip up sometimes. Avoid these pitfalls to keep your GP safe and profits steady:
- Ignoring GE Tax: Forgetting to factor in the 1% Grand Exchange tax on each sale can turn a “profitable” flip into a loss.
- Chasing Big Margins on Low-Volume Items: Items that don’t sell often can trap your money for days or weeks. Stick to liquid, fast-moving items.
- Overpaying in a Hype: Buying when prices are at their peak due to hype or updates often leads to losses when prices correct.
- Ignoring Price Trends: Not checking price graphs or recent trends can mean buying during a downtrend and losing GP.
- Not Setting Limits: Failing to set buy/sell limits or monitoring your flips closely can result in missed opportunities or stuck inventory.
- Flipping Without a Strategy: Random flipping without data or a plan is a quick way to lose money. Use tools like flipping trackers to guide your decisions.
Now that you know the basics, let’s see
How to Flip in OSRS
Flipping is more than just buying low and selling high, it’s a cycle of research, decision-making, and action. Here’s a step-by-step process every OSRS flipper should follow:
- Research the Market
Before buying, check recent price history using the GE price graphs or a flipping tracker. Look for items with:- Consistent demand and decent trade volume
- Clear price swings within a predictable range
- No recent major updates that could suddenly shift value in the negative
- Calculate Margins and Fees
Determine the typical buy and sell prices, then subtract the 1% GE tax on each transaction to find your true profit margin. You want flips where the price difference is large enough to cover taxes and still leave a profit. Avoid margins under 3% unless you’re flipping in huge volumes. On my Flipping tracker, the tax in the profit gets automatically calculated. - Pick Your Entry Point: When to Buy
There’s no single perfect moment to buy, but here are some practical ways to spot good entry points:- Look for obvious price dips: Sometimes prices drop quickly because players panic-sell or the market floods with supply. These dips often create opportunities to buy low.
- Watch for market events: Updates like GE tax changes or game content releases can shake prices temporarily. Buying right after these events can be profitable if you catch the rebound.
- Wait for prices to settle: After a short-term price spike, prices often dip back down. Buying once the price drops from a recent peak can yield good margins.
- Use price graphs but keep it simple: Check recent price trends to avoid buying when prices are still dropping hard. You want to buy low, but not while the item is still losing value.
- Quick flips without deep research: Sometimes just scanning buy and sell prices for a good margin is enough to catch fast, low-risk flips. Don’t overcomplicate every move, some flips work simply because the spread is big and the item is active.
- Monitor and Manage Your Flip
After buying, keep a close eye on the price. Set a target sell price based on recent highs minus a little buffer to ensure fast sales. Don’t hold for too long, if the price isn’t recovering in a reasonable timeframe (hours to a day), consider cutting losses or adjusting your expectations. - Choose When to Sell
Sell when the price approaches the higher end of the item’s recent price range. Be ready to sell quickly if prices start to drop again. Use tools or your flipping tracker to alert you of price spikes or dips so you don’t miss your window. - Repeat and Scale
Once you’ve mastered one flip, start diversifying. Flip multiple items with different price points and volumes to spread risk. As you build capital, scale your flips and experiment with more volatile or high-margin items.
Additional Tips:
- Track OSRS game updates or community news for hints on what might spike soon.
- Stay patient, flipping requires discipline, not just luck.
- Beware of bots and fake price manipulation.
Flipping Strategies for Every Player
We broke this guide into 3 sections so you can find what’s right for you:
Beginner Flippers (F2P & Low Cash)
Starting out with under 1M GP? No worries – flipping is still for you. At this level, the goal is speed over size. You’re looking for high-volume OSRS flipping items that move fast and give quick, small profits.
Strategy
- Focus on low-cost items like runes, ores, and consumables.
- Margin might be tiny (5–50 GP), but fast turnover = consistent profit.
- Avoid low-volume items, they’ll tie up your cash for too long.
Best Beginner Items to Flip
- Air/Chaos/Nature Runes – Super liquid, stable flipping.
- Coal, Iron, Steel Bars – Popular with skillers.
- Swordfish, Lobsters – Constant demand in F2P PvP worlds.
- Teleport Tabs (Varrock, Lumbridge) – Solid margins and turnover.
Pro Tip: Use the OSRS Flipping Tracker to spot sudden demand spikes or drops. It helps beginners avoid overpaying and find active items that are hot right now.
Mid-Level Merchants (5M–50M GP)
Got a decent stack? Now you can flip more strategically. At this level, you can split your GP across multiple flips, take some small risks, and work with moderate-volume, high-demand gear.
Strategy
- Mix in mid-priced gear and potions with consumables.
- Time your flips around updates, boss rotations, and PvM metas.
- Analyze GE trends over 1h/6h/24h periods to find sweet spots.
Best Mid-Level Items to Flip
- Zulrah Scales, Blowpipe, Trident of the Seas – PvM meta staples.
- Stamina/Prayer Potions – Always needed for PvM and skilling.
- Rune Armor, Dragon Scimitar, Barrows Gear – Solid resale items.
- Clue Scroll Rewards (e.g. Ranger Boots) – Low volume but high profit.
Pro Tip: Mid-level flippers benefit the most from price graphs. Use the custom time-frame view in the OSRS Flipping Tracker to plan your buys and avoid peak competition.
High GP Flippers (100M+)
Now we’re in the big leagues. With 100 M+, you can afford to sit on flips longer, absorb GE tax, and deal in premium PvM loot and rare cosmetics. These flips don’t move fast, but the margins can be huge.
Strategy
- Use limit testing to reveal market ranges (buy/sell at minimum qty).
- Flip slower items with wide margins like Bandos, AGS, or Scythe parts.
- Use update hype to your advantage — buy in early, sell on launch.
Best High-Level Items to Flip
- Elysian Spirit Shield, Scythe of Vitur pieces – Very high margin, slow flip.
- Third Age & Cosmetics – Risky, but can yield 1M+ profits per item.
- Godswords, BCP/Tassets, Primordial Boots – Stable and safe for rich flippers.
- Bulk PvM drops (like Dragon Dart Tips, Onyx Bolts) – Mid-risk, faster flips.
Keep Improving Your Flipping Game
OSRS Flipping is a journey, not a one-time skill. To keep growing your GP and stay ahead:
- Stay updated with OSRS game changes and community trends.
- Track your flips regularly to learn what works best.
- Experiment carefully with new items and strategies.
- Join flipping communities to share tips and get advice.
- Use tools like price trackers and custom spreadsheets to make smarter moves.
Remember, every big flipper started somewhere, patience and practice are your best allies.
Final Thoughts
The OSRS economy changes with updates and player behavior, so staying informed is key. Manage your risk by diversifying flips and avoid chasing every trend blindly. Use the right tools, like price trackers and community resources, to sharpen your edge. Most importantly, enjoy the process, flipping can be a rewarding challenge as much as a money-maker.
