To calculate zakat on gold, work out the weight of pure gold you own, check it meets the nisab of 87.48 grams (7.5 tola) of pure gold, multiply the weight by today’s price per gram, and pay 2.5% of that value once you have held it for a full lunar year. For example, 100 grams of 24-carat gold at $120 per gram is worth $12,000, so the zakat due is $300. Scholars differ on whether gold jewellery worn regularly is included: the Hanafi school includes it, while most other schools exempt jewellery for personal use.
Step by Step
- Weigh your gold in grams: coins, bars and (depending on your school) jewellery.
- Convert to pure gold using the carat (see table below). 50 g of 22-carat gold contains 50 × 0.916 = 45.8 g of pure gold.
- Check the nisab: if your total pure gold, or your combined zakatable wealth, is at least the nisab value, zakat is due.
- Find today’s price per gram of 24-carat gold in your currency.
- Multiply pure grams × price to get the value.
- Pay 2.5% of the value.
Gold Purity by Carat
| Carat | Gold content | Pure gold in 10 g |
|---|---|---|
| 24k | 99.9% | 10.0 g |
| 22k | 91.6% | 9.16 g |
| 21k | 87.5% | 8.75 g |
| 18k | 75.0% | 7.50 g |
| 14k | 58.5% | 5.85 g |
Some scholars and calculators instead value jewellery at its actual resale value for its carat, which gives a similar result.
Worked Examples
| Gold owned | Pure gold | Value at $120/g | Zakat (2.5%) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 100 g of 24k | 100 g | $12,000 | $300 |
| 120 g of 22k jewellery (Hanafi) | 109.9 g | $13,190 | $330 |
| 60 g of 21k | 52.5 g | $6,300 | Below the 87.48 g gold nisab on its own; zakat depends on your other wealth and the nisab you follow |
Prices are illustrative; always use the price on the day you calculate.
Gold Nisab vs Silver Nisab
The nisab can be measured in gold (87.48 g) or silver (612.36 g). Because silver is much cheaper, the silver nisab is a far lower threshold, so more people owe zakat under it. Many scholars recommend the silver nisab when you hold mixed assets such as cash plus gold, as it benefits more recipients. See gold vs silver nisab.
Is Jewellery Zakatable?
| View | Jewellery worn regularly | Jewellery kept as savings or investment |
|---|---|---|
| Hanafi | Zakatable | Zakatable |
| Maliki, Shafi’i, Hanbali (majority) | Generally exempt | Zakatable |
More detail in zakat on jewellery you wear. If unsure, follow the scholars you usually follow or ask a qualified scholar.
Calculate It Automatically
The free Zakat Calculator takes your gold (investment and jewellery separately), silver, cash and other assets, lets you choose the gold or silver nisab and the Hanafi or majority view on jewellery, and shows the zakat due. Enter today’s gold and silver prices per gram in your own currency.
For gold, silver and savings together, see how to calculate zakat on gold, silver and savings.
When Is Zakat on Gold Due?
Zakat is due once your zakatable wealth has stayed at or above the nisab for one full lunar year (hawl), about 354 days. Many people choose a fixed date each year, such as a date in Ramadan, and calculate the value of all their gold, silver, cash and other zakatable assets on that day. Gold bought during the year is added to your total on that date, as long as your wealth was above the nisab at the start of the year. See zakat on salary, savings and the hawl.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much zakat is due on gold?
2.5% of the value of your zakatable gold, if your wealth meets the nisab and has been held for one lunar year.
What is the nisab for gold?
87.48 grams (7.5 tola) of pure gold.
Is zakat due on 22-carat jewellery?
Under the Hanafi school, yes, on its pure gold content. Most other schools exempt jewellery worn regularly for personal use.
Which gold price should I use?
The current market price per gram of 24-carat gold on the day your zakat is due, in your local currency.