Gold Zakat Calculator
Calculate zakat specifically on gold holdings using current gold prices and nisab threshold. Enter values for instant results with step-by-step formulas.
Formula
Zakat = Pure Gold Value x 2.5% (if gold >= 85g nisab)
First convert gold weight to grams and determine pure gold content based on karat (purity/24). If the pure gold exceeds the nisab threshold of 85 grams, zakat is 2.5% of the total value. The value is calculated by multiplying pure gold grams by the current price per gram.
Worked Examples
Example 1: Gold Jewelry Collection
Problem: A woman owns 120 grams of 22-karat gold jewelry. Gold price is $85/gram for pure gold. Calculate her zakat.
Solution: Pure gold content = 120 x (22/24) = 110 grams\nNisab threshold = 85 grams (met: 110 > 85)\nTotal value = 110 x $85 = $9,350\nZakat = 2.5% x $9,350 = $233.75\nZakat in gold weight = 110 x 0.025 = 2.75 grams\nMonthly equivalent = $233.75 / 12 = $19.48
Result: Zakat Due: $233.75 | Pure Gold: 110g | Nisab: Met
Example 2: Gold Bars Investment
Problem: An investor holds 5 troy ounces of 24-karat gold bars. Gold price is $85/gram. Calculate zakat due.
Solution: Weight in grams = 5 x 31.1035 = 155.52 grams\nPurity = 24/24 = 100% pure\nPure gold = 155.52 grams\nNisab = 85 grams (met: 155.52 > 85)\nTotal value = 155.52 x $85 = $13,219.20\nZakat = 2.5% x $13,219.20 = $330.48\nZakat in gold = 155.52 x 0.025 = 3.89 grams
Result: Zakat Due: $330.48 | Pure Gold: 155.52g | Value: $13,219.20
Frequently Asked Questions
What is zakat on gold and who is required to pay it?
Zakat on gold is an obligatory charitable contribution in Islam that must be paid annually by any Muslim who possesses gold exceeding the nisab threshold for a full lunar year (hawl). The nisab for gold is 85 grams of pure 24-karat gold, as established by the majority of Islamic scholars based on the weight of 20 gold dinars. Both men and women must pay zakat on their gold holdings, including jewelry that is not regularly worn according to the Hanafi school of thought. The Shafi'i, Maliki, and Hanbali schools generally exempt regularly worn jewelry from zakat. The zakat rate is 2.5% of the total gold value, calculated on the date your lunar year completes.
How is the nisab threshold for gold calculated?
The nisab is the minimum amount of wealth a Muslim must possess before zakat becomes obligatory. For gold, the nisab is 85 grams of pure 24-karat gold. If your gold is not pure 24-karat, you must first calculate the pure gold equivalent. For example, 100 grams of 18-karat gold contains 75 grams of pure gold (18/24 x 100), which is below the 85-gram nisab and therefore not zakatable. Some scholars use 87.48 grams as the nisab based on different historical dinar weight calculations. The monetary nisab value changes daily with gold prices, so you should check the current gold price on your zakat due date to determine whether your holdings meet the threshold.
Does zakat apply to gold jewelry that I wear regularly?
This is one of the most debated questions in Islamic jurisprudence regarding zakat. The Hanafi school, followed by a large portion of Muslims worldwide, holds that zakat is due on all gold including regularly worn jewelry, provided it meets the nisab threshold. Their evidence includes general Quranic verses commanding charity on gold and silver, and specific hadith warning of punishment for those who do not pay zakat on their jewelry. The Shafi'i, Maliki, and Hanbali schools exempt jewelry in regular personal use from zakat, arguing that it is a personal item like clothing. Consult a knowledgeable scholar in your community to determine which ruling applies to your situation.
How do I calculate zakat if I have gold of different purities?
If you own gold items of varying purities, calculate the pure gold content of each item separately and then sum them. For each item, multiply the weight by the karat divided by 24. For example: a 50-gram 22-karat necklace contains 50 x 22/24 = 45.83 grams of pure gold. A 30-gram 18-karat ring contains 30 x 18/24 = 22.5 grams. A 20-gram 24-karat bar contains 20 grams of pure gold. Total pure gold = 45.83 + 22.5 + 20 = 88.33 grams. Since this exceeds the 85-gram nisab, zakat is due at 2.5% on the entire gold value. Calculate the monetary value by multiplying total pure gold grams by the current price per gram of pure gold.
When exactly should I pay my gold zakat and how is the date determined?
Zakat on gold becomes due after you have possessed gold above the nisab threshold for one complete lunar year, known as hawl. The Islamic lunar year is approximately 354 days, about 11 days shorter than the solar year. Mark the date when your gold first reached the nisab, and zakat is payable on that same date the following lunar year. If your gold drops below the nisab during the year and then rises back above it, scholars differ on whether the hawl resets. The majority view is that if wealth briefly dips below nisab, the hawl does not restart. You should pay zakat promptly when it becomes due and not delay it unnecessarily, as it represents the right of those in need over your wealth.
How do I get the most accurate result?
Enter values as precisely as possible using the correct units for each field. Check that you have selected the right unit (e.g. kilograms vs pounds, meters vs feet) before calculating. Rounding inputs early can reduce output precision.