RuneScape Open Chat: What It Is & How to Use It

RuneScape’s open chat refers to the public chat channels that let you talk with any player in the same area or on the same world. You can type in the chat box at the bottom of the screen, press Enter, and your message appears to everyone nearby. This guide explains how open chat works, how to use it safely, and how to manage your chat settings.

What Is Open Chat in RuneScape?

Open chat is the default public chat mode in both RuneScape 3 (RS3) and Old School RuneScape (OSRS). When you type a message and press Enter, it is broadcast to all players within a certain radius of your character. The radius is roughly the same as your screen view, so you can talk to anyone you can see on your screen. This is different from private messaging (PM), which goes only to a specific player, or clan chat, which goes only to clan members.

In the chat interface, open chat messages appear in the main chat box. They are usually white text, but you can change the color and filter options. The chat box also shows system messages, trade requests, and other notifications. You can switch between different chat modes by clicking the tabs at the bottom of the chat box: All, Game, Public, Private, Clan, and Trade.

How to Use Open Chat

Using open chat is straightforward:

1. Click on the chat input field at the bottom of the screen, or simply press Enter.
2. Type your message.
3. Press Enter again to send it.

Your message will appear in the chat box with your character’s name in front. Other players in the same area will see it. If you want to reply to a specific player, you can right-click their name in the chat and choose “Message” to send a private message instead.

Open Chat vs. Other Chat Modes

RuneScape offers several chat channels, and it’s helpful to know the difference:

• Public chat – the open chat described above, visible to everyone nearby.
• Private chat – direct messages between two players, visible only to them.
• Clan chat – messages sent to members of your clan, regardless of location.
• Guest clan chat – a chat for non-members who are visiting a clan.
• Trade chat – messages related to trading, often used in the Grand Exchange area.
• Game chat – system messages and notifications from the game itself.

You can switch between these by clicking the tabs in the chat box. For example, clicking the “Public” tab will show only public chat messages, while “All” shows everything.

How to Turn Open Chat On or Off

If you want to disable open chat entirely, you can do so in the chat settings. The exact steps vary slightly between RS3 and OSRS, but the general process is:

1. Open the chat box and click the gear icon or the “Chat” button (often a speech bubble).
2. Look for the “Public” or “Public chat” option.
3. Change it from “On” to “Off” or “Hide”.

In OSRS, you can also right-click the chat box and select “Public” to cycle through On, Off, and Friends. In RS3, you can use the chat settings interface to filter who can see your messages and who you can see.

Common Problems with Open Chat

Players sometimes run into issues with open chat. Here are a few common ones:

• Messages not appearing – If you don’t see messages, check that your public chat filter isn’t set to “Off” or “Friends”. Also, ensure you are not muted (see below).
• Can’t type at all – If pressing Enter doesn’t bring up the input box, try clicking directly on the chat input area. If that fails, restart the client.
• Chat box is too small – You can resize the chat box by dragging the divider above it. In OSRS, you can also use the “Expand” button to make it larger.
• Messages are being filtered – RuneScape has a profanity filter that replaces offensive words with asterisks. You can turn this off in the settings if you prefer.

Open Chat Safety and Etiquette

Open chat is public, so anyone can see what you type. This has implications for safety and etiquette:

• Never share personal information – Don’t post your real name, address, email, or phone number in open chat. Scammers can use this information.
• Be cautious of scams – Players may try to trick you into giving away items or money. If something seems too good to be true, it probably is.
• Report abusive players – If someone is harassing you, right-click their name and select “Report” or use the report button in the chat.
• Keep it friendly – RuneScape has a large community, and being polite helps everyone enjoy the game.

Jagex (the game’s developer) has a zero-tolerance policy for certain types of chat, including hate speech and real-world trading. Violations can lead to mutes or bans.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why can’t I see other players’ messages in open chat?

If you can’t see public messages, check your public chat filter. It might be set to “Off” or “Friends”. Open the chat settings and set Public to “On”. Also, make sure you are not muted – if you are muted, you can still see messages but cannot send them.

How do I mute a player in open chat?

Right-click on the player’s name in the chat box and select “Ignore” or “Add to ignore list”. This will hide all their messages, including public chat, private messages, and trade offers.

Can I change the color of my open chat messages?

Yes, in RuneScape 3 you can change the color of your name and messages in the chat settings. In Old School RuneScape, you can change the color of your own messages by using the “Text Color” option in the chat interface, but this is not available for all messages.

Does open chat work across different worlds?

No, open chat is local to the world and area you are in. If you switch worlds, you will be in a different chat environment. To talk to someone on another world, you need to use private messaging or join the same clan.

What is the difference between public chat and game chat?

Public chat is player-to-player communication, while game chat includes system messages like level-up notifications, quest updates, and server announcements. You can filter them separately in the chat settings.

Is open chat monitored by Jagex?

Yes, Jagex monitors chat for violations of the rules. They use automated systems and player reports to identify abusive behavior. However, they do not monitor every message in real-time, so it’s important to report any issues you encounter.

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