Quick Answer
To calculate zakat on gold, weigh all the gold you own, convert it to its pure-gold equivalent using its karat, and check that it meets the nisab threshold of 87.48 grams of pure gold. If it does, and you have owned it for a full lunar year, multiply its current market value by 2.5%. That figure is the zakat you owe.
Zakat on gold is one of the most commonly misunderstood obligations in Islamic finance. If you own gold that meets the nisab threshold and has been in your possession for one full lunar year (hawl), you owe 2.5% of its market value in zakat.
This guide breaks down exactly how to calculate it with real examples and common mistakes to avoid. If you are new to zakat altogether, start with our explainer on what zakat is in Islam and who must pay it, then come back here for the gold-specific method.
Table of Contents
What Is Zakat on Gold, and Who Does It Apply To?
Zakat is one of the Five Pillars of Islam. It requires eligible Muslims to donate a fixed portion of their wealth to those in need each year, and it is an obligation rather than a voluntary gift, which is the key difference between zakat and sadaqah.
Gold is a zakatable asset. This includes gold jewelry, gold bars, gold coins, and any gold held as an investment. In the Hanafi school, all gold is subject to zakat whether it is worn daily or stored away. The Shafi, Maliki and Hanbali schools exempt jewelry that is in regular personal use, while still requiring zakat on gold kept as savings or investment. Follow the position of the school you normally follow, or ask a qualified scholar.
You owe zakat on gold if:
- You are Muslim, sane, and an adult
- Your gold meets or exceeds the nisab
- You have owned that gold for one full lunar year
What Is the Nisab for Gold?
The nisab is the minimum amount of wealth you must own before zakat becomes obligatory.
For gold, the nisab is 87.48 grams of pure (24-karat) gold, the classical figure of 20 mithqal or 7.5 tola. Some contemporary calculators round this to 85 grams; Darul Infaq uses 87.48 grams for consistency across all of our zakat guidance, and the difference rarely changes whether zakat is due.
The dollar value of that weight changes daily with the gold price. Always check the current spot price of gold before calculating. At a spot price of about $148 per gram (mid-2026), the gold nisab is roughly $12,950. If your total gold holdings fall below this threshold, no zakat is due on gold alone.
Gold is only one of the two nisab standards. For a full explanation of the gold and silver nisab thresholds in US dollars, including which standard to use when you also hold cash and savings, see our dedicated nisab guide.
How to Calculate Zakat on Gold (Step-by-Step)
Follow these four steps:
Step 1: Weigh your gold
Measure the total weight of your gold in grams. If you own multiple pieces, add them together. A goldsmith or jeweler will weigh jewelry for free or a small fee.
Step 2: Convert to pure gold equivalent
Not all gold is 24-karat. Adjust for purity:
- 24K = 100% pure
- 22K = 91.7% pure
- 18K = 75% pure
- 14K = 58.3% pure
Multiply the weight by the purity percentage to get the pure gold equivalent.
Step 3: Check against the nisab
If your pure gold equivalent is 87.48 grams or more, zakat is due. If it is below 87.48 grams, stop here; no zakat is owed on the gold by itself. (If you also hold cash, savings or other assets, you should combine everything and check the total against nisab; our guide on how to calculate zakat on all your assets walks through that.)
Step 4: Calculate 2.5% of the market value
Multiply the pure-gold equivalent (in grams) by the current 24K spot price per gram, then multiply by 0.025.
Formula: Zakat = Pure gold weight (g) × Current 24K price per gram × 2.5%
The 2.5% rate is the same for gold as for cash and savings; our explainer on how much zakat is and why the rate is 2.5 percent covers where the figure comes from.
Zakat Calculation Examples
All examples use a 24K spot price of $148 per gram. Replace this with the price on your zakat date.
Example 1: Pure gold savings
You own 100 grams of 24K gold.
- Pure gold equivalent: 100 grams, above the 87.48-gram nisab ✓
- Market value: 100 × $148 = $14,800
- Zakat due: $14,800 × 2.5% = $370
Example 2: Mixed-karat jewelry
You own 120 grams of 18K gold jewelry.
- Pure gold equivalent: 120 × 0.75 = 90 grams
- 90 grams exceeds the 87.48-gram nisab ✓
- Value of the pure gold: 90 × $148 = $13,320
- Zakat due: $13,320 × 2.5% = $333
Example 3: Below nisab
You own 60 grams of 22K gold.
- Pure gold equivalent: 60 × 0.917 = 55.02 grams
- 55.02 grams is below the 87.48-gram nisab
- No zakat is due on the gold alone
Common Mistakes to Avoid When Calculating Zakat on Gold
1. Using the wrong gold price
Always use the current spot price on the day you pay your zakat; not last month’s price, not an estimate, and not the retail price of jewelry, which includes making charges and dealer margin.
2. Ignoring gold purity
Many people calculate zakat on the full weight without adjusting for karat. This leads to overpaying or underpaying.
3. Not combining all gold holdings
Your nisab check should include all gold you own; jewelry, coins, bars, and digital gold; not just one category.
4. Skipping the hawl requirement
Zakat is only due on gold you have owned for a complete lunar year (approximately 354 days). If you are not sure when your year starts, our guide on when zakat is due and how to work out your zakat anniversary explains how to fix a date and keep it.
5. Confusing nisab for silver with nisab for gold
The silver nisab (612.36 grams) and gold nisab (87.48 grams) are separate thresholds. When you hold only gold, use the gold nisab; when you hold mixed assets, most scholars advise checking against the lower silver-based dollar figure so that more wealth is purified.
When Should You Pay Zakat on Gold?
Pay zakat on your gold once your hawl date arrives; typically the same date each Islamic year that you first reached the nisab. Many Muslims use Ramadan as a convenient time to pay, though it is valid year-round.
If your gold fluctuates above and below the nisab during the year, your hawl resets each time your holdings drop below the threshold.
Where Your Zakat on Gold Goes When You Give Through Darul Infaq
Once you have your figure, you can pay it in cash or in kind. Darul Infaq distributes zakat only to those who qualify to receive it, with a published record of where funds go. You can give your Zakat-ul-Maal online through Darul Infaq in a few minutes, and your zakat will support food, education and emergency relief for families in need.
Calculated your zakat on gold? Pay it where it reaches those who qualify.
Give Your Zakat Now →Frequently Asked Questions About Zakat on Gold
Is zakat due on gold jewelry I wear every day?
In the Hanafi school, yes: zakat is due on all gold, including jewelry worn regularly. The Shafi, Maliki and Hanbali schools exempt jewelry in regular personal use but still require zakat on gold kept as savings. Follow your school, or consult a qualified scholar if you are unsure.
What if I own both gold and silver?
Gold and silver are added together and checked against nisab as a single total. Most scholars advise using the lower silver-based dollar threshold in that case. Seek a scholar’s guidance for your specific situation.
Do I pay zakat on gold I’m saving for a specific purpose?
Yes. Gold held for any purpose; savings, investment, or a future purchase such as a wedding; is still zakatable if it meets the nisab and hawl requirements.
What if I don’t know the exact weight of my gold jewelry?
Take your jewelry to a goldsmith or jeweler for a precise weight and karat check before calculating. Estimating can lead to errors.
Can I pay zakat on gold in kind instead of cash?
Yes. You can donate gold itself rather than its cash value, as long as the amount equals 2.5% of your total pure-gold holdings. Most people find it simpler to pay the cash equivalent.
