In Elden Ring, runes are more than just currency—they’re your lifeline to character growth, gear upgrades, and crafting essentials. Whether you’re preparing for late-game bosses or just trying to stay ahead of the curve, efficient rune farming is key to smoother progression. Below are 15 of the best farming routes that can help you make the most of your time while collecting runes. These spots work well for all kinds of builds and are especially useful if you're saving up for gear or looking to grab cheap Elden Ring items from vendors.

1. Mohgwyn Palace – Albinauric Swamp Cliff

Accessible via Varre’s questline or the Pureblood Knight’s Medal, this area offers some of the fastest rune gains in the game. The Albinaurics here are vulnerable and clustered, and with a decent weapon or AoE spell, you can farm over 50,000 runes in just a few minutes.

2. Mohgwyn Palace – Bird Farm

Still in Mohgwyn, you’ll find a lone bird across a cliff near the Grace. Shooting it with a ranged weapon causes it to fall to its death, yielding 11,000+ runes. Rinse and repeat. This is perfect if you want a no-combat option.

3. Greyoll’s Dragonbarrow – Fort Faroth

Killing the sleeping dragon Greyoll with a bleed weapon can net you a one-time gain of 75,000 runes (or more with rune-boosting talismans). It's a slower, one-time method, but extremely efficient early on.

4. War-Dead Catacombs – Caelid

Once you unlock this dungeon, the enemies inside will fight each other. All you need to do is stay safe and collect the runes. It’s passive farming at its finest.

5. Windmill Village – Dominion of Madness

The joyful dancers here are deceptive. They're easy to dispatch and drop a good number of runes for minimal effort. Plus, they respawn quickly.

6. Lennes Rise – Spirit Ball Trap

In north Caelid, this farming trick involves triggering a spirit ball trap that falls off a cliff, netting thousands of runes per reset without combat. It's ideal for lower-level characters farming cheap elden ring runes safely.

7. Altus Plateau – Forest-Spanning Greatbridge

Enemies in this area are strong but densely packed. With the right gear, you can sweep through and earn over 100,000 runes in under 10 minutes. Good for mid to late-game rune farming.

8. Moghwyn Palace – AoE Spell Build Sweep

Players using area-of-effect spells like Comet Azur or Death Lightning can wipe entire Albinauric groups in seconds. This method is incredibly efficient when paired with rune-boosting talismans.

9. Caria Manor – Upper Levels

After clearing the manor, the knight enemies here continue to drop solid rune amounts. They're tougher but drop useful items and plenty of runes, making it a good farming loop.

10. Sealed Tunnel – Leyndell Outskirts

This underground path has miners and enemies that are easy to group up and kill. It's a solid option if you're passing through the capital area and want a quick rune boost.

11. Liurnia – Raya Lucaria Academy Gate

Just outside the academy gate, enemies patrol in groups. Using stealth or ranged attacks, you can take them out with ease. This route is recommended for early to mid-game farming.

12. Mountaintops of the Giants – Freezing Lake

This region’s high rune yield makes it a strong late-game option. The fire monks and wolves drop decent rune amounts, and the open terrain is easy to navigate.

13. Nokron, Eternal City – Mimic Tear Arena

Once you unlock Nokron, the open area around the Mimic Tear boss site is packed with enemies that offer good rune drops. It's also one of the more atmospheric farming locations.

14. Deeproot Depths – Across the Roots

This secret area has high-level enemies and plenty of rune opportunities. The corrupted beasts and guardians here can be tough, but the payout is worth it if you’re well-equipped.

15. Haligtree – Drainage Channel Route

In the later stages of the game, the Haligtree becomes one of the highest-risk, highest-reward farming zones. Enemies here are brutal, but their rune drops are among the best. A good option when you're trying to stock up before a boss or want to splurge on cheap Elden Ring items.

:

  • Equip talismans like the Gold Scarab and use consumables such as the Gold-Pickled Fowl Foot to boost rune gains.

  • Consider mixing farming spots to prevent burnout and take advantage of enemy type weaknesses.

  • If you're low on gear and looking to optimize your build, collecting cheap elden ring runes from these areas can help you level up efficiently and afford the essentials.

Rune farming isn’t just about grinding—it’s about being smart with your time. By following these routes, you'll not only earn faster but play smarter, staying prepared for everything the Lands Between throws at you.