Calculator:Herblore/Efficient Profit

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. This 5% is applied when making unfinished potions and again when finishing potions with secondary ingredients. Portable wells are frequently hosted at the Combat academy, 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.

Scroll of cleansing: The scroll of cleansing can be purchased from Marmaros Thokson 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 1K potion flasks per 4 hours. This means that a maximum of 6K flasks can be purchased during 1 day under optimal circumstances.

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 setting a Bank preset for quick withdrawing.

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) 1050 unfinished potions due to the effect of the portable well. 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 612 (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 1060 Secondary Ingredients	Cost of 612 Potion Flasks	Total Cost	Price of 612 Full Flasks	Profit/Loss Per Herb Purchased
	Attack potion	1	25	1000 X Grimy guam 363,000 1111 X Vial of water 63,327 Total cost: 426,327	1060 X Eye of newt 7,420	612 X Potion flask 3,860,496	4,294,243	612 X Attack flask (6) 3,653,028	-641.21
	Ranging potion	3	30	1000 X Grimy guam 363,000 1111 X Vial of water 63,327 Total cost: 426,327	1060 X Redberries 446,260	612 X Potion flask 3,860,496	4,733,083	612 X Ranging flask (6) 8,497,620	3,764.54
	Magic potion	5	35	1000 X Grimy tarromin 40,000 1111 X Vial of water 63,327 Total cost: 103,327	1060 X Yellow bead 575,580	612 X Potion flask 3,860,496	4,539,403	612 X Magic flask (6) 9,465,804	4,926.4
	Strength potion	7	4	1000 X Grimy tarromin 40,000 1111 X Vial of water 63,327 Total cost: 103,327	1060 X Limpwurt root 1,284,720	612 X Potion flask 3,860,496	5,248,543	612 X Strength flask (6) 4,410,684	-837.86
	Defence potion	9	45	1000 X Grimy marrentill 442,000 1111 X Vial of water 63,327 Total cost: 505,327	1060 X Bear fur 662,500	612 X Potion flask 3,860,496	5,028,323	612 X Defence flask (6) 5,753,412	725.09
	Antipoison	13	50	1000 X Grimy marrentill 442,000 1111 X Vial of water 63,327 Total cost: 505,327	1060 X Unicorn horn dust 536,360	612 X Potion flask 3,860,496	4,902,183	612 X Antipoison flask (6) 5,426,604	524.42
	Guthix rest	18	59.5	1000 X Grimy harralander 143,000 1111 X Vial of water 63,327 Total cost: 206,327	1060 X Clean marrentill 485,480	612 X Potion flask 3,860,496	4,552,303	612 X Guthix rest flask (6) 7,729,560	3,177.26
	Restore potion	22	62.5	1000 X Grimy harralander 143,000 1111 X Vial of water 63,327 Total cost: 206,327	1060 X Red spiders' eggs 1,895,280	612 X Potion flask 3,860,496	5,962,103	612 X Restore flask (6) 6,571,044	608.94
	Energy potion	26	67.5	1000 X Grimy harralander 143,000 1111 X Vial of water 63,327 Total cost: 206,327	1060 X Chocolate dust 296,800	612 X Potion flask 3,860,496	4,363,623	612 X Energy flask (6) 5,731,380	1,367.76
	Agility potion	34	80	1000 X Grimy toadflax 4,580,000 1111 X Vial of water 63,327 Total cost: 4,643,327	1060 X Toad's legs 695,360	612 X Potion flask 3,860,496	9,199,183	612 X Agility flask (6) 5,993,316	-3,205.87
	Combat potion	36	84	1000 X Grimy harralander 143,000 1111 X Vial of water 63,327 Total cost: 206,327	1060 X Goat horn dust 901,000	612 X Potion flask 3,860,496	4,967,823	612 X Combat flask (6) 5,913,756	945.93
	Prayer potion	38	87.5	1000 X Grimy ranarr 1,696,000 1111 X Vial of water 63,327 Total cost: 1,759,327	1060 X Snape grass 49,820	612 X Potion flask 3,860,496	5,669,643	612 X Prayer flask (6) 6,754,032	1,084.39
	Summoning potion	40	92	1000 X Grimy spirit weed 8,144,000 1111 X Vial of water 63,327 Total cost: 8,207,327	1060 X Cockatrice egg 4,541,040	612 X Potion flask 3,860,496	16,608,863	612 X Summoning flask (6) 23,717,448	7,108.59
	Divination potion	43	97.5	1000 X Grimy spirit weed 8,144,000 1111 X Vial of water 63,327 Total cost: 8,207,327	1060 X Rabbit foot 1,443,720	612 X Potion flask 3,860,496	13,511,543	612 X Divination flask (6) 2,039,796	-11,471.75
	Super attack	45	100	1000 X Grimy irit 3,634,000 1111 X Vial of water 63,327 Total cost: 3,697,327	1060 X Eye of newt 7,420	612 X Potion flask 3,860,496	7,565,243	612 X Super attack flask (6) 7,099,200	-466.04
	Super antipoison	48	106.3	1000 X Grimy irit 3,634,000 1111 X Vial of water 63,327 Total cost: 3,697,327	1060 X Unicorn horn dust 536,360	612 X Potion flask 3,860,496	8,094,183	612 X Super antipoison flask (6) 9,869,724	1,775.54
	Fishing potion	50	112.5	1000 X Grimy avantoe 846,000 1111 X Vial of water 63,327 Total cost: 909,327	1060 X Snape grass 49,820	612 X Potion flask 3,860,496	4,819,643	612 X Fishing flask (6) 4,391,100	-428.54
	Super energy	52	117.5	1000 X Grimy avantoe 846,000 1111 X Vial of water 63,327 Total cost: 909,327	1060 X Mort myre fungus 2,055,340	612 X Potion flask 3,860,496	6,825,163	612 X Super energy flask (6) 6,776,064	-49.1
	Hunter potion	53	120	1000 X Grimy avantoe 846,000 1111 X Vial of water 63,327 Total cost: 909,327	1060 X Kebbit teeth dust 2,370,160	612 X Potion flask 3,860,496	7,139,983	612 X Hunter flask (6) 3,598,560	-3,541.42
	Runecrafting potion	54	122.5	1000 X Grimy wergali 2,034,000 1111 X Vial of water 63,327 Total cost: 2,097,327	1060 X Fallfaced wool 41,340	612 X Potion flask 3,860,496	5,999,163	612 X Runecrafting flask (6) 1,847,628	-4,151.53
	Super strength	55	125	1000 X Grimy kwuarm 4,936,000 1111 X Vial of water 63,327 Total cost: 4,999,327	1060 X Limpwurt root 1,284,720	612 X Potion flask 3,860,496	10,144,543	612 X Super strength flask (6) 9,738,144	-406.4
	Fletching potion	58	132	1000 X Grimy wergali 2,034,000 1111 X Vial of water 63,327 Total cost: 2,097,327	1060 X Wimpy feather 662,500	612 X Potion flask 3,860,496	6,620,323	612 X Fletching flask (6) 3,359,880	-3,260.44
	Weapon poison	60	137.5	1000 X Grimy kwuarm 4,936,000 1111 X Vial of water 63,327 Total cost: 4,999,327	1060 X Dragon scale dust 143,100	612 X Potion flask 3,860,496	9,002,923	612 X Weapon poison flask (6) 3,233,196	-5,769.73
	Super restore	63	142.5	1000 X Grimy snapdragon 1,180,000 1111 X Vial of water 63,327 Total cost: 1,243,327	1060 X Red spiders' eggs 1,895,280	612 X Potion flask 3,860,496	6,999,103	612 X Super restore flask (6) 8,444,376	1,445.27
	Super defence	66	150	1000 X Grimy cadantine 2,499,000 1111 X Vial of water 63,327 Total cost: 2,562,327	1060 X White berries 1,772,320	612 X Potion flask 3,860,496	8,195,143	612 X Super defence flask (6) 7,856,244	-338.9
	Antipoison+	68	155	1000 X Grimy toadflax 4,580,000 1111 X Coconut milk 5,109,489 Total cost: 9,689,489	1060 X Yew roots 1,061,060	612 X Potion flask 3,860,496	14,611,045	612 X Antipoison+ flask (6) 14,907,708	296.66
	Antifire	69	157.5	1000 X Grimy lantadyme 3,668,000 1111 X Vial of water 63,327 Total cost: 3,731,327	1060 X Dragon scale dust 143,100	612 X Potion flask 3,860,496	7,734,923	612 X Antifire flask (6) 8,667,756	932.83
	Super ranging potion	72	162.5	1000 X Grimy dwarf weed 3,860,000 1111 X Vial of water 63,327 Total cost: 3,923,327	1060 X Wine of Zamorak 6,108,780	612 X Potion flask 3,860,496	13,892,603	612 X Super ranging flask (6) 12,810,384	-1,082.22
	Super magic potion	76	172.5	1000 X Grimy lantadyme 3,668,000 1111 X Vial of water 63,327 Total cost: 3,731,327	1060 X Potato cactus 1,151,160	612 X Potion flask 3,860,496	8,742,983	612 X Super magic flask (6) 8,708,148	-34.83
	Invention potion	77	175	1000 X Grimy snapdragon 1,180,000 1111 X Vial of water 63,327 Total cost: 1,243,327	1060 X Chinchompa residue 48,760	612 X Potion flask 3,860,496	5,152,583	612 X Invention flask (6) 2,015,316	-3,137.27
	Zamorak brew	78	175	1000 X Grimy torstol 5,027,000 1111 X Vial of water 63,327 Total cost: 5,090,327	1060 X Jangerberries 291,500	612 X Potion flask 3,860,496	9,242,323	612 X Zamorak brew flask (6) 4,836,024	-4,406.3
	Antipoison++	79	177.5	1000 X Grimy irit 3,634,000 1111 X Coconut milk 5,109,489 Total cost: 8,743,489	1060 X Magic roots 3,732,260	612 X Potion flask 3,860,496	16,336,245	612 X Antipoison++ flask (6) 7,512,912	-8,823.33
	Saradomin brew	81	180	1000 X Grimy toadflax 4,580,000 1111 X Vial of water 63,327 Total cost: 4,643,327	1060 X Crushed nest 1,023,960	612 X Potion flask 3,860,496	9,527,783	612 X Saradomin brew flask (6) 10,260,792	733.01
	Aggression potion	82	185	1000 X Grimy bloodweed 18,550,000 1111 X Vial of water 63,327 Total cost: 18,613,327	1060 X Searing ashes 42,970,280	612 X Potion flask 3,860,496	65,444,103	612 X Aggression flask (6) 65,750,220	306.12
	Prayer renewal	94	190	1000 X Grimy fellstalk 3,792,000 1111 X Vial of water 63,327 Total cost: 3,855,327	1060 X Morchella mushroom 2,598,060	612 X Potion flask 3,860,496	10,313,883	612 X Prayer renewal flask (6) 10,462,140	148.26

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 1060 Secondary Ingredients	Cost of 1114 Tertiary Ingredients	Cost of 642 Potion Flasks	Total Cost	Price of 642 Full Flasks	Profit/Loss Per Herb Purchased
	Guthix balance	22	50	1000 X Grimy harralander 143,000 1111 X Vial of water 63,327 Total cost: 206,327	1060 X Red spiders' eggs 1,895,280	1114 X Garlic 408,838 1114 X Silver dust 1,191,980 Total cost: 1,600,818	642 X Potion flask 4,049,736	7,752,161	642 X Guthix balance flask (6) 4,088,256	-3,663.9
	Super hunter	64	145	1000 X Grimy avantoe 846,000 1111 X Vial of water 63,327 Total cost: 909,327	1060 X Kebbit teeth dust 2,370,160	1114 X Rabbit teeth 54,586	642 X Potion flask 4,049,736	7,383,809	642 X Super hunter flask (6) 2,327,892	-5,055.92
	Super divination	70	160	1000 X Grimy spirit weed 8,144,000 1111 X Vial of water 63,327 Total cost: 8,207,327	1060 X Rabbit foot 1,443,720	1114 X Zygomite fruit 52,358	642 X Potion flask 4,049,736	13,753,141	642 X Super divination flask (6) 2,630,916	-11,122.22
	Super runecrafting	75	170	1000 X Grimy wergali 2,034,000 1111 X Vial of water 63,327 Total cost: 2,097,327	1060 X Fallfaced wool 41,340	1114 X Yak milk 6,812,110	642 X Potion flask 4,049,736	13,000,513	642 X Super runecrafting flask (6) 2,229,666	-10,770.85
	Super Saradomin brew	93	180	1000 X Grimy toadflax 4,580,000 1111 X Vial of water 63,327 Total cost: 4,643,327	1060 X Crushed nest 1,023,960	1114 X Wine of Saradomin 70,868,224	642 X Potion flask 4,049,736	80,585,247	642 X Super Saradomin brew flask (6) 79,000,026	-1,585.22
	Super Zamorak brew	93	180	1000 X Grimy torstol 5,027,000 1111 X Vial of water 63,327 Total cost: 5,090,327	1060 X Jangerberries 291,500	1114 X Wine of Zamorak 6,419,982	642 X Potion flask 4,049,736	15,851,545	642 X Super Zamorak brew flask (6) 12,392,526	-3,459.02
	Super Guthix rest	93	59.5	1000 X Grimy harralander 143,000 1111 X Vial of water 63,327 Total cost: 206,327	1060 X Clean marrentill 485,480	1114 X Wine of Guthix 1,367,992	642 X Potion flask 4,049,736	6,109,535	642 X Super Guthix brew flask (6) 11,571,408	5,461.87

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!