If you’ve just started your journey in Elden Ring, you’ll quickly realize that runes are the backbone of your progress. Whether you want to level up, buy Elden Ring items, or upgrade your gear, you’ll need a steady supply of runes. Fortunately, the early game offers several fast and reliable rune farming methods that don’t require overpowered weapons or high-level stats. Here's a list of the 10 fastest ways to farm Elden Ring runes early on.

1. Gatefront Ruins Soldier Loop

One of the earliest and easiest rune farming spots, the Gatefront Ruins is filled with low-health soldiers. You can circle through the area on horseback, taking them down quickly. Each run nets about 1,000–1,200 runes in under two minutes. It’s a perfect loop to repeat before moving on to tougher zones.

2. Stormgate Ambush Farming

North of Gatefront Ruins, the Stormgate has several enemies waiting to ambush you—but they’re also easy prey. Lure them out one by one and use area attacks if possible. You’ll rack up quick runes without going too far from your starting point.

3. Sell Unused Gear for Runes

It’s tempting to hoard every item you pick up, but many weapons and armor pieces are redundant. Selling unused gear at merchants like Kale or Smithing Master Hewg gives a nice rune boost. If you plan to buy Elden Ring items later for optimized builds, this method helps you save up early.

4. Agheel Lake Flaming Dragon Lure

Though Agheel the dragon is tough, the soldiers in the lake nearby respawn endlessly and drop a good amount of runes. Ride through the swamp, dispatch the enemies, rest at the Site of Grace, and repeat. It’s a bit more dangerous but highly efficient with the right timing.

5. Bestial Sanctum via Teleport Trap

There’s a warp trap in Dragon-Burnt Ruins (Limgrave) that teleports you to the Bestial Sanctum in Caelid. Enemies here drop thousands of runes, but they’re deadly. Use stealth or ranged attacks to pick off stragglers and avoid combat. It’s risky but offers some of the highest early rune rewards.

6. Ledge-Road Bird Farm (Caelid)

If you’re feeling bold, use the portal near the Third Church of Marika to reach Caelid’s Lenne’s Rise area. There’s a giant bird enemy you can bait into falling off a cliff with a single ranged shot. It dies instantly and drops over 11,000 runes. Quick, simple, and repeatable.

7. Golden-Pickled Fowl Foot Buffing

Crafting and using a Golden-Pickled Fowl Foot increases rune gain for a short time. Use it right before entering a farming loop. Pair it with high-yield spots like the Ledge-Road or Bestial Sanctum for maximum efficiency.

8. Cleanrot Knights in the Rotview Balcony

This spot is a bit advanced, but with proper tactics, Cleanrot Knights near the Rotview Balcony can be taken down for several thousand runes each. Summon spirit ashes for help and use hit-and-run tactics.

9. Farm Rats and Bats in Coastal Cave

This one’s overlooked but beginner-friendly. The Coastal Cave is full of bats and rats that go down quickly. They respawn easily and allow for repeated farming without much travel or risk.

10. Consider U4GM if You're Short on Time

If you're tight on time and just want to catch up with friends or try out a new build, many players choose to buy Elden Ring runes or buy Elden Ring items from trusted sources. Platforms like U4GM are known in the community for fast delivery and reliability. While it's always more rewarding to earn things through gameplay, this can be a helpful shortcut for those who just want to dive into the good stuff.

Farming runes early doesn't have to feel like a grind. Whether you're circling the Gatefront or luring giant birds off cliffs, these methods will help you level up quickly and prepare for the brutal challenges ahead. Keep experimenting, and remember: in Elden Ring, every rune counts.