Calculator:Herblore/Efficient Profit

This is a static calculator. It does not take user inputs, but it does use changing prices from the Grand Exchange Market Watch. If prices appear to be outdated, purge the page by clicking here.

This calculator shows profit/losses from training the Herblore skill efficiently. This calculator assumes that you are making potions from grimy herbs, using a Portable well, have the Scroll of cleansing, and are decanting into Potion flasks. These numbers are estimates based on the likelihood of the effects of the portable well and the scroll of cleansing, but they are quite reliable. Untradeable potions and potions requiring untradeable ingredients are omitted as this guide/calculator is designed for bulk training with concern for profit.

Reasoning:

Grimy herbs: Grimy herbs are frequently cheaper than their clean alternatives and the experience from cleaning them is not negligible, as opposed to making unfinished potions. If profit/expenditure is your main concern, cleaning your own herbs and making your own unfinished potions is worth the time.

Portable well: The portable well boosts Herblore experience by 10% and gives a 5% chance of making an extra potion (10% with Brooch of the Gods). This 5% is applied when making unfinished potions and again when finishing potions with secondary ingredients. Portable wells are frequently hosted at the Lumbridge Market, which you can use at no cost to you, though it is nice to help out the community by deploying some portable wells that you have purchased or received from Treasure Hunter.

Modified botanist's mask: This provides a 5% chance of duplicate potions.

Factory outfit: This provides a 10% chance of creating 4-dose potions.

Botanist's amulet: This provides an additional 5% chance of creating 4-dose potions.

Scroll of cleansing: The scroll of cleansing can be purchased from rewards trader in Daemonheim for 20,000 Dungeoneering tokens. The scroll gives a 12.5% chance that a potion will be created twice as fast as usual. The scroll also gives a 10% chance of salvaging a herb added to a vial of water and salvaging a secondary ingredient when added to an unfinished potion.

Decanting to potion flasks: Decanting to flasks does not always increase profit. To see if decanting is profitable, check the Calculator:Herblore/Flask decanting page. However, decanting to flasks can be done for free, in bulk (noted items), and almost instantly with the help of Teplin Macagan after completion of As a First Resort. Because this can be done so quickly, can be immensely profitable, and if profit is your motive, I highly suggest only making potions which are profitable to decant. Note that the Grand Exchange limits players to buying 1,000 potion flasks per 4 hours. This means that a maximum of 6,000 flasks can be purchased during 1 day under optimal circumstances.

All of these boosts should net on average 1476 3-dose potions.

Process (standard potions):

The following is the process to replicate (as close as possible) the optimal calculations shown in the below table. Buying 1,000 herbs was used as a way to calculate more accurate averages for the sake of representation. With smaller sample sizes, results will vary more widely, but over time will average out to the calculations shown in the below table.

1. Buy 1,000 grimy variants of the herb for your selected potion. Herbs can be slower to purchase at GE market prices, but the more profitable potions can still turn a significant profit even while buying herbs at higher-than-market price.

2. Clean your grimy herbs. This is done fastest by using the Herblore cape perk from the action bar with a bank preset.

3. Find a world where a portable well is being hosted. This information can be found by searching for 'portable locations' in the RuneScape forums.

4. Add your herbs to vials of water using the portable well. By adding 1,000 herbs to vials of water, you will yield (on average) 1100 unfinished potions due to the effect of the portable well with the Brooch of the Gods. Due to the effect of the scroll of cleansing, you will have saved (on average) 100 herbs. By adding those 100 herbs to vials of water, you will yield (on average) 105 unfinished potions and saved (on average) 10 herbs. By adding those 10 herbs to vials of water, you will yield (on average) 10 unfinished potions and saved (on average) 1 herb. This herb (on average) will make 1 unfinished potion and will not be saved. This process will yield in total, and of course on average, 1,166 unfinished potions and use 1,111 vials of water.

5. Due to the 10% chance to save secondary ingredients, your 1,166 unfinished potions will require (on average) 1,060 secondary ingredients. (1,060 * 1.1 = 1,166) Buy a little more than this amount (to avoid having to go back to the Grand exchange) and add them to your unfinished potions at the portable well. The 5% chance to make an extra potion will be applied again over this process at the portable well. This will yield (on average) 1,224 finished 3-dose potions.

6. Buy 500 (half the amount of your 3-dose potions rounded down) Potion flasks at the Grand exchange. Bring your noted potion flasks and noted 3-dose potions to Teplin Macagan and have him decant your potions into your flasks. Sell these flasks at the grand exchange. It may take some time for your flasks to sell at market prices, but again the more profitable potions may still turn a significant profit even selling at a little lower than market price.

	Potion	Level Req.	XP	Cost of Initial Ingredients	Cost of 1000 Secondary Ingredients	Total Cost of 1000 Potions	Price of 1000 Potions	Profit/Loss Per Herb Purchased (no flasks)	Cost of 500 Potion Flasks	Total Cost	Price of 500 Full Flasks	Profit/Loss Per Herb Purchased	Total Profit/Loss	Profit/Loss per xp
	Attack potion	1	25	1000 X Grimy guam 345,000 1000 X Vial of water 62,000 Total cost: 407,000	1000 X Eye of newt 14,000	421,000	1000 X Attack potion (3) 527,000	106	500 X Potion flask 8,334,000	8,755,000	500 X Attack flask (6) 3,955,000	−4,800	−4,800,000	−192
	Ranging potion	3	30	1000 X Grimy guam 345,000 1000 X Vial of water 62,000 Total cost: 407,000	1000 X Redberries 786,000	1,193,000	1000 X Ranging potion (3) 1,498,000	305	500 X Potion flask 8,334,000	9,527,000	500 X Ranging flask (6) 7,106,000	−2,421	−2,421,000	−80.7
	Magic potion	5	35	1000 X Grimy tarromin 250,000 1000 X Vial of water 62,000 Total cost: 312,000	1000 X Yellow bead 814,000	1,126,000	1000 X Magic potion (3) 1,838,000	712	500 X Potion flask 8,334,000	9,460,000	500 X Magic flask (6) 5,977,000	−3,483	−3,483,000	−99.51
	Strength potion	7	4	1000 X Grimy tarromin 250,000 1000 X Vial of water 62,000 Total cost: 312,000	1000 X Limpwurt root 272,000	584,000	1000 X Strength potion (3) 593,000	9	500 X Potion flask 8,334,000	8,918,000	500 X Strength flask (6) 5,024,500	−3,893.5	−3,893,500	−973.37
	Defence potion	9	45	1000 X Grimy marrentill 805,000 1000 X Vial of water 62,000 Total cost: 867,000	1000 X Bear fur 1,554,000	2,421,000	1000 X Defence potion (3) 3,574,000	1,153	500 X Potion flask 8,334,000	10,755,000	500 X Defence flask (6) 7,668,500	−3,086.5	−3,086,500	−68.59
	Antipoison	13	50	1000 X Grimy marrentill 805,000 1000 X Vial of water 62,000 Total cost: 867,000	1000 X Unicorn horn dust 1,522,000	2,389,000	1000 X Antipoison (3) 169,000	−2,220	500 X Potion flask 8,334,000	10,723,000	500 X Antipoison flask (6) 11,519,500	796.5	796,500	15.93
	Guthix rest	18	59.5	1000 X Grimy harralander 724,000 1000 X Vial of water 62,000 Total cost: 786,000	1000 X Clean marrentill 1,060,000	1,846,000	1000 X Guthix rest (3) 2,468,000	622	500 X Potion flask 8,334,000	10,180,000	500 X Guthix rest flask (6) 16,194,500	6,014.5	6,014,500	101.08
	Restore potion	22	62.5	1000 X Grimy harralander 724,000 1000 X Vial of water 62,000 Total cost: 786,000	1000 X Red spiders' eggs 139,000	925,000	1000 X Restore potion (3) 177,000	−748	500 X Potion flask 8,334,000	9,259,000	500 X Restore flask (6) 8,687,500	−571.5	−571,500	−9.14
	Energy potion	26	67.5	1000 X Grimy harralander 724,000 1000 X Vial of water 62,000 Total cost: 786,000	1000 X Chocolate dust 676,000	1,462,000	1000 X Energy potion (3) 495,000	−967	500 X Potion flask 8,334,000	9,796,000	500 X Energy flask (6) 7,687,500	−2,108.5	−2,108,500	−31.24
	Agility potion	34	80	1000 X Grimy toadflax 3,566,000 1000 X Vial of water 62,000 Total cost: 3,628,000	1000 X Toad's legs 2,074,000	5,702,000	1000 X Agility potion (3) 279,000	−5,423	500 X Potion flask 8,334,000	14,036,000	500 X Agility flask (6) 6,541,500	−7,494.5	−7,494,500	−93.68
	Combat potion	36	84	1000 X Grimy harralander 724,000 1000 X Vial of water 62,000 Total cost: 786,000	1000 X Goat horn dust 634,000	1,420,000	1000 X Combat potion (3) 421,000	−999	500 X Potion flask 8,334,000	9,754,000	500 X Combat flask (6) 7,743,500	−2,010.5	−2,010,500	−23.93
	Prayer potion	38	87.5	1000 X Grimy ranarr 4,046,000 1000 X Vial of water 62,000 Total cost: 4,108,000	1000 X Snape grass 450,000	4,558,000	1000 X Prayer potion (3) 6,267,000	1,709	500 X Potion flask 8,334,000	12,892,000	500 X Prayer flask (6) 13,905,500	1,013.5	1,013,500	11.58
	Summoning potion	40	92	1000 X Grimy spirit weed 2,523,000 1000 X Vial of water 62,000 Total cost: 2,585,000	1000 X Cockatrice egg 145,000	2,730,000	1000 X Summoning potion (3) 8,069,000	5,339	500 X Potion flask 8,334,000	11,064,000	500 X Summoning flask (6) 16,271,000	5,207	5,207,000	56.6
	Divination potion	43	97.5	1000 X Grimy spirit weed 2,523,000 1000 X Vial of water 62,000 Total cost: 2,585,000	1000 X Rabbit foot 19,783,000	22,368,000	1000 X Divination potion (3) 26,262,000	3,894	500 X Potion flask 8,334,000	30,702,000	500 X Divination flask (6) 4,246,500	−26,455.5	−26,455,500	−271.34
	Super attack	45	100	1000 X Grimy irit 619,000 1000 X Vial of water 62,000 Total cost: 681,000	1000 X Eye of newt 14,000	695,000	1000 X Super attack (3) 2,174,000	1,479	500 X Potion flask 8,334,000	9,029,000	500 X Super attack flask (6) 10,586,000	1,557	1,557,000	15.57
	Super antipoison	48	106.3	1000 X Grimy irit 619,000 1000 X Vial of water 62,000 Total cost: 681,000	1000 X Unicorn horn dust 1,522,000	2,203,000	1000 X Super antipoison (3) 4,938,000	2,735	500 X Potion flask 8,334,000	10,537,000	500 X Super antipoison flask (6) 14,021,500	3,484.5	3,484,500	32.78
	Fishing potion	50	112.5	1000 X Grimy avantoe 1,071,000 1000 X Vial of water 62,000 Total cost: 1,133,000	1000 X Snape grass 450,000	1,583,000	1000 X Fishing potion (3) 627,000	−956	500 X Potion flask 8,334,000	9,917,000	500 X Fishing flask (6) 4,485,000	−5,432	−5,432,000	−48.28
	Super energy	52	117.5	1000 X Grimy avantoe 1,071,000 1000 X Vial of water 62,000 Total cost: 1,133,000	1000 X Mort myre fungus 1,029,000	2,162,000	1000 X Super energy (3) 5,686,000	3,524	500 X Potion flask 8,334,000	10,496,000	500 X Super energy flask (6) 13,746,000	3,250	3,250,000	27.66
	Hunter potion	53	120	1000 X Grimy avantoe 1,071,000 1000 X Vial of water 62,000 Total cost: 1,133,000	1000 X Kebbit teeth dust 17,887,000	19,020,000	1000 X Hunter potion (3) 18,992,000	−28	500 X Potion flask 8,334,000	27,354,000	500 X Hunter flask (6) 18,157,500	−9,196.5	−9,196,500	−76.64
	Runecrafting potion	54	122.5	1000 X Grimy wergali 4,466,000 1000 X Vial of water 62,000 Total cost: 4,528,000	1000 X Fallfaced wool 3,181,000	7,709,000	1000 X Runecrafting potion (3) 13,072,000	5,363	500 X Potion flask 8,334,000	16,043,000	500 X Runecrafting flask (6) 2,309,000	−13,734	−13,734,000	−112.11
	Cooking potion	55	125	1000 X Grimy harralander 724,000 1000 X Vial of water 62,000 Total cost: 786,000	1000 X Swordfish 156,000	942,000	1000 X Cooking potion (3) 2,055,000	1,113	500 X Potion flask 8,334,000	9,276,000	500 X Cooking flask (6) 1,971,500	−7,304.5	−7,304,500	−58.44
	Super strength	55	125	1000 X Grimy kwuarm 2,483,000 1000 X Vial of water 62,000 Total cost: 2,545,000	1000 X Limpwurt root 272,000	2,817,000	1000 X Super strength (3) 6,002,000	3,185	500 X Potion flask 8,334,000	11,151,000	500 X Super strength flask (6) 10,938,000	−213	−213,000	−1.7
	Fletching potion	58	132	1000 X Grimy wergali 4,466,000 1000 X Vial of water 62,000 Total cost: 4,528,000	1000 X Wimpy feather 260,000	4,788,000	1000 X Fletching potion (3) 464,000	−4,324	500 X Potion flask 8,334,000	13,122,000	500 X Fletching flask (6) 5,470,000	−7,652	−7,652,000	−57.97
	Weapon poison	60	137.5	1000 X Grimy kwuarm 2,483,000 1000 X Vial of water 62,000 Total cost: 2,545,000	1000 X Dragon scale dust 873,000	3,418,000	1000 X Weapon poison (3) 1,457,000	−1,961	500 X Potion flask 8,334,000	11,752,000	500 X Weapon poison flask (6) 4,390,000	−7,362	−7,362,000	−53.54
	Super restore	63	142.5	1000 X Grimy snapdragon 1,325,000 1000 X Vial of water 62,000 Total cost: 1,387,000	1000 X Red spiders' eggs 139,000	1,526,000	1000 X Super restore (3) 2,756,000	1,230	500 X Potion flask 8,334,000	9,860,000	500 X Super restore flask (6) 12,252,000	2,392	2,392,000	16.79
	Super defence	66	150	1000 X Grimy cadantine 1,791,000 1000 X Vial of water 62,000 Total cost: 1,853,000	1000 X White berries 5,837,000	7,690,000	1000 X Super defence (3) 10,574,000	2,884	500 X Potion flask 8,334,000	16,024,000	500 X Super defence flask (6) 13,727,000	−2,297	−2,297,000	−15.31
	Antipoison+	68	155	1000 X Grimy toadflax 3,566,000 1000 X Coconut milk 9,644,000 Total cost: 13,210,000	1000 X Yew roots 2,167,000	15,377,000	1000 X Antipoison+ (3) 4,515,000	−10,862	500 X Potion flask 8,334,000	23,711,000	500 X Antipoison+ flask (6) 23,089,500	−621.5	−621,500	−4.01
	Antifire	69	157.5	1000 X Grimy lantadyme 4,530,000 1000 X Vial of water 62,000 Total cost: 4,592,000	1000 X Dragon scale dust 873,000	5,465,000	1000 X Antifire (3) 6,922,000	1,457	500 X Potion flask 8,334,000	13,799,000	500 X Antifire flask (6) 13,277,000	−522	−522,000	−3.31
	Super ranging potion	72	162.5	1000 X Grimy dwarf weed 5,976,000 1000 X Vial of water 62,000 Total cost: 6,038,000	1000 X Wine of Zamorak 1,051,000	7,089,000	1000 X Super ranging potion (3) 7,753,000	664	500 X Potion flask 8,334,000	15,423,000	500 X Super ranging flask (6) 17,396,500	1,973.5	1,973,500	12.14
	Super magic potion	76	172.5	1000 X Grimy lantadyme 4,530,000 1000 X Vial of water 62,000 Total cost: 4,592,000	1000 X Potato cactus 843,000	5,435,000	1000 X Super magic potion (3) 6,463,000	1,028	500 X Potion flask 8,334,000	13,769,000	500 X Super magic flask (6) 15,893,000	2,124	2,124,000	12.31
	Invention potion	77	175	1000 X Grimy snapdragon 1,325,000 1000 X Vial of water 62,000 Total cost: 1,387,000	1000 X Chinchompa residue 101,000	1,488,000	1000 X Invention potion (3) 1,419,000	−69	500 X Potion flask 8,334,000	9,822,000	500 X Invention flask (6) 3,535,000	−6,287	−6,287,000	−35.93
	Zamorak brew	78	175	1000 X Grimy torstol 3,881,000 1000 X Vial of water 62,000 Total cost: 3,943,000	1000 X Jangerberries 1,118,000	5,061,000	1000 X Zamorak brew (3) 1,161,000	−3,900	500 X Potion flask 8,334,000	13,395,000	500 X Zamorak brew flask (6) 6,662,500	−6,732.5	−6,732,500	−38.47
	Antipoison++	79	177.5	1000 X Grimy irit 619,000 1000 X Coconut milk 9,644,000 Total cost: 10,263,000	1000 X Magic roots 8,732,000	18,995,000	1000 X Antipoison++ (3) 2,422,000	−16,573	500 X Potion flask 8,334,000	27,329,000	500 X Antipoison++ flask (6) 10,346,000	−16,983	−16,983,000	−95.68
	Saradomin brew	81	180	1000 X Grimy toadflax 3,566,000 1000 X Vial of water 62,000 Total cost: 3,628,000	1000 X Crushed nest 165,000	3,793,000	1000 X Saradomin brew (3) 4,844,000	1,051	500 X Potion flask 8,334,000	12,127,000	500 X Saradomin brew flask (6) 13,783,000	1,656	1,656,000	9.2
	Aggression potion	82	185	1000 X Grimy bloodweed 14,833,000 1000 X Vial of water 62,000 Total cost: 14,895,000	1000 X Searing ashes 63,053,000	77,948,000	1000 X Aggression potion (3) 64,700,000	−13,248	500 X Potion flask 8,334,000	86,282,000	500 X Aggression flask (6) 76,730,500	−9,551.5	−9,551,500	−51.63
	Prayer renewal	94	190	1000 X Grimy fellstalk 3,181,000 1000 X Vial of water 62,000 Total cost: 3,243,000	1000 X Morchella mushroom 9,480,000	12,723,000	1000 X Prayer renewal (3) 13,979,000	1,256	500 X Potion flask 8,334,000	21,057,000	500 X Prayer renewal flask (6) 20,314,500	−742.5	−742,500	−3.91

Process (potions made from other potions):

Some potions such as Super Guthix rest and Super Zamorak brew are made by adding additional ingredients to a complete potion. This changes the calculations slightly, so this type of potion is in a separate table. This guide/table assumes that you are making the initial potion from scratch.

1. Make the initial potions just as described in the first process, but do not decant the potions into flasks. This will leave you with (on average) 1,224 complete potions.

2. Due to the 10% chance to save secondary ingredients, your 1,224 potions will require (on average) 1,114 tertiary ingredients. (1,113.72 * 1.1 ≈ 1,224) Buy a little more than this amount (to avoid having to go back to the Grand exchange) and add them to your potions at the portable well. The 5% chance to make an extra potion will be applied again over this process at the portable well. This will yield (on average) 1,285 finished 3-dose potions.

3. Buy 642 (half the amount of your 3-dose potions rounded down) Potion flasks at the Grand exchange. Bring your noted potion flasks and noted 3-dose potions to Teplin Macagan and have him decant your potions into your flasks. Sell these flasks at the grand exchange. It may take some time for your flasks to sell at market prices, but again the more profitable potions may still turn a significant profit even selling at a little lower than market price.

	Potion	Level Req.	XP	Cost of Initial Ingredients	Cost of 1000 Secondary Ingredients	Cost of 1000 Tertiary Ingredients	Cost of 642 Potion Flasks	Total Cost	Price of 1000 Full Flasks	Profit/Loss Per Herb Purchased
	Guthix balance	22	50	1000 X Grimy harralander 724,000 1000 X Vial of water 62,000 Total cost: 786,000	1000 X Red spiders' eggs 139,000	1114 X Garlic 366,506 1114 X Silver dust 4,012,628 Total cost: 4,379,134	642 X Potion flask 10,700,856	16,004,990	642 X Guthix balance flask (6) 19,882,098	3,877.11
	Super hunter	64	145	1000 X Grimy avantoe 1,071,000 1000 X Vial of water 62,000 Total cost: 1,133,000	1000 X Kebbit teeth dust 17,887,000	1114 X Rabbit teeth 137,022	642 X Potion flask 10,700,856	29,857,878	642 X Super hunter flask (6) 26,438,844	−3,419.03
	Super divination	70	160	1000 X Grimy spirit weed 2,523,000 1000 X Vial of water 62,000 Total cost: 2,585,000	1000 X Rabbit foot 19,783,000	1114 X Zygomite fruit 477,906	642 X Potion flask 10,700,856	33,546,762	642 X Super divination flask (6) 34,862,526	1,315.76
	Super runecrafting	75	170	1000 X Grimy wergali 4,466,000 1000 X Vial of water 62,000 Total cost: 4,528,000	1000 X Fallfaced wool 3,181,000	1114 X Yak milk 145,247,776	642 X Potion flask 10,700,856	163,657,632	642 X Super runecrafting flask (6) 98,308,176	−65,349.46
	Super invention	87	220	1000 X Grimy snapdragon 1,325,000 1000 X Vial of water 62,000 Total cost: 1,387,000	1000 X Chinchompa residue 101,000	1114 X Spider fangs 336,428	642 X Potion flask 10,700,856	12,525,284	642 X Super invention flask (6) 11,649,090	−876.19
	Super Saradomin brew	93	180	1000 X Grimy toadflax 3,566,000 1000 X Vial of water 62,000 Total cost: 3,628,000	1000 X Crushed nest 165,000	1000 X Wine of Saradomin 64,255,520	642 X Potion flask 10,700,856	78,749,376	642 X Super Saradomin brew flask (6) 80,594,754	1,845.38
	Super Zamorak brew	93	180	1000 X Grimy torstol 3,881,000 1000 X Vial of water 62,000 Total cost: 3,943,000	1000 X Jangerberries 1,118,000	1114 X Wine of Zamorak 1,170,814	642 X Potion flask 10,700,856	16,932,670	642 X Super Zamorak brew flask (6) 13,852,434	−3,080.24
	Super Guthix rest	93	59.5	1000 X Grimy harralander 724,000 1000 X Vial of water 62,000 Total cost: 786,000	1000 X Clean marrentill 1,060,000	1114 X Wine of Guthix 3,365,394	642 X Potion flask 10,700,856	15,912,250	642 X Super Guthix brew flask (6) 32,654,046	16,741.8

Conclusion:

Making the flasks in the bottom table is generally not worth it if your interest is profit. The only exception is the Super Guthix rest, which can be solid money and decent experience. If your goal is to maximize experience without losing any money, it's generally best to sort the top table by XP in descending order and pick the first potion that you can make that yields a profit. It may be that there is a higher experience, profitable potion for you if you don't decant to flasks so be sure to check out other methods!