Farming runes in Elden Ring is a necessary part of progression, but it doesn’t have to be a tedious, dangerous grind. For many players, finding safe spots where you can efficiently farm runes—sometimes even AFK—makes leveling up and gearing your character much smoother. Over the course of my playthroughs, I’ve identified 13 reliable locations where you can farm runes with minimal risk and good returns.

If you’re considering ways to boost your rune count, whether to buy Elden Ring items or just get ahead faster, knowing where to farm safely is key. Plus, if farming isn’t your thing, options like U4GM can help you obtain cheap Elden Ring runes without the hassle, but for those who want to stay in the game world grinding, here are the spots worth checking out.

  1. Stormhill – Near the Gatefront Site of Grace
    This area features groups of soldiers that respawn quickly and don’t deal massive damage, making it a perfect spot for AFK farming early on. With careful positioning, you can bait enemies into a small area and take them down repeatedly.

  2. Caelid – Smoldering Wall Site of Grace
    The scarlet rot enemies here drop decent runes and respawn fast. Be cautious with the environment, but using ranged attacks allows for a safer farming method.

  3. Fort Haight – Near the Third Church of Marika
    The soldiers here give a fair rune amount and are easy to kite or dispatch with ranged attacks. This spot is great for midgame farming.

  4. Abandoned Cave – Near the Smoldering Wall
    If you have the Gold Scarab talisman equipped, this cave becomes a goldmine for cheap Elden Ring runes, as enemies here yield large rune counts and can be farmed repeatedly without much risk.

  5. Caelid – Sellia Crystal Tunnel
    This area features magical enemies that drop decent runes and are fairly stationary, making them easier to manage during AFK farming.

  6. Liurnia – Near the Lake-Facing Cliffs
    Groups of weaker enemies respawn quickly, allowing for safe rune farming if you’re patient and position yourself well.

  7. Altus Plateau – Near the Cathedral of Dragon Communion
    Dragons and other enemies here yield high runes but are riskier. However, with the right summons or ranged setup, you can create a safe farming routine.

  8. Windmill Village – Limgrave
    Early in the game, enemies here are weak but give enough runes to make it worthwhile. Perfect for those just starting out who want a reliable spot.

  9. Caelid – Swamp of Aeonia
    The area has a good density of enemies, and with some preparation, you can AFK farm runes while avoiding major threats like scarlet rot.

  10. Volcano Manor – Lava Fields
    Though dangerous, the enemies here drop high rune counts. Using summons and careful positioning, this spot can be a lucrative farming zone.

  11. Stormhill Shack – Limgrave
    A smaller enemy group that respawns quickly, making it easy to farm runes safely.

  12. Royal Capital – Near the Main Gates
    Enemies here are tougher but yield a high number of runes. Use summons or ranged weapons to maintain safety during farming.

  13. Leyndell Catacombs
    Skeleton enemies inside respawn quickly and drop consistent runes, making it a quiet and safe farming zone if you’re comfortable with dungeon environments.

If you find farming tedious or simply want to save time, many players choose to buy Elden Ring items or invest in cheap Elden Ring runes from reputable providers like U4GM. This can be a time-efficient alternative that lets you focus on enjoying the game’s story and combat.

Efficient rune farming doesn’t have to be a struggle. By utilizing these safe zones, you can steadily improve your character’s stats and gear without constant risk. Have you found any other spots that work well for AFK farming? Share your experiences below.