Scrap Gold Calculator — Live Per-Gram Melt Value

Calculate the exact value of your scrap gold based on current market prices. Whether you have broken jewelry, gold coins, or dental gold, our calculator provides accurate valuations for all gold purities including 24k, 22k, 18k, 14k, and 10k gold.

Gold Value Calculator

Enter your gold's weight and select its purity to calculate the current melt value based on live market prices.

Price source
Select purity
Enter weight
Common items
Estimated melt value USD
$0.00
Pure content
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Spot price · gram
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Spot price · oz
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As scrap (≈ 85%)
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Note: This is the melt value — the floor. A refiner pays 90–96% of this, a dealer 70–90%, a pawn shop often less.

Browse Gold by Purity

Select a purity level to view specific pricing and information

24K
999
99.9%
Investment Grade
22K
916
91.6%
Asian Jewelry
18K
750
75%
Fine Jewelry
14K
585
58.5%
US Standard
10K
417
41.7%
Entry Level

Today's Gold Prices by Weight

Current gold prices calculated across different weight units. All prices shown are for pure 24K gold.

Per Gram
$128.46
Per Troy Ounce
$3,995.43
Per Kilogram
$128,456.20
Per Pound
$58,266.70
Per Tola
$1,497.80
Per Tael
$4,817.11
Per Pennyweight
$199.77
Per Grain
$8.3238

Gold Price by Source

Compare gold prices across different market benchmarks. Spot price, London fixes (LBMA), and regional markets (MCX, IBJA) may differ due to timing, currency, and local supply/demand.

Source Per Oz (USD) Per Gram Per Kg Change (24h)
Spot Price
International spot market
 $3,995.44 $128.46 $128,456 ▼ -0.13%
LBMA Fix
London Bullion Market Association
 $4,023.70 $129.37 $129,365 ▲ +0.20%
MCX
Multi Commodity Exchange, India
 $4,675.51 $150.32 $150,321 ▲ +0.48%
IBJA
India Bullion & Jewellers Assoc.
 $4,630.98 $148.89 $148,889 ▼ -0.20%
FAQ

Asked & answered

Find answers to common questions about gold pricing, purity, and valuation.

01 How is gold purity measured?

Gold purity is measured using two systems: karats (K) and fineness.

  • Karats: Based on 24 parts total. 24K gold is pure (100%), while 18K gold is 18/24 = 75% pure.
  • Fineness: Parts per thousand. 999 fineness = 99.9% pure gold.

Common stamps you'll find on gold jewelry include "14K" / "585" (14K fineness), "18K" / "750" (18K fineness), "22K" / "916", and so on.

02 What is the difference between spot price and retail price?

The spot price is the current market price for immediate delivery of pure gold (typically 24K). The retail price includes additional costs:

  • Manufacturing and craftsmanship fees (for jewelry)
  • Dealer markup (typically 2–10% for bullion)
  • Premium for smaller weights (higher per-gram cost)
  • Brand premiums for recognized mints

When selling scrap gold, expect to receive 70–95% of the calculated melt value.

03 Why does my gold jewelry weigh more than its pure gold content?

Gold jewelry contains alloy metals mixed with pure gold to improve durability and change color:

  • 14K gold (58.3% pure): Contains 41.7% other metals like copper, silver, nickel, or zinc.
  • White gold: Alloyed with palladium, nickel, or silver for a silver-like appearance.
  • Rose gold: Higher copper content creates the pink hue.

Our calculator automatically accounts for purity when calculating melt value.

04 How often do gold prices update?

Gold spot prices fluctuate continuously during market hours:

  • Markets open: Sunday 6 PM – Friday 5 PM EST (COMEX).
  • Most active trading: 8 AM – 1:30 PM EST (London / New York overlap).
  • Our updates: Prices refresh daily from multiple sources.

Major price movements typically occur around economic announcements, geopolitical events, or currency fluctuations.

05 What should I do before selling my gold?

Follow these steps to maximize your return when selling gold:

  • Verify purity: Look for karat stamps (10K, 14K, 18K, 22K, 24K) and test if unsure.
  • Weigh accurately: Use a precise scale (0.01 g accuracy recommended).
  • Calculate melt value: Use our calculator to know the baseline value.
  • Get multiple quotes: Contact 3–5 buyers to compare offers.
  • Separate by purity: Don't mix different karats together.
  • Know the market: Check current spot price before negotiating.

Reputable dealers typically offer 75–95% of melt value for scrap gold.

06 Is it better to sell gold jewelry as-is or melt it?

The decision depends on several factors.

Sell as jewelry if:

  • It's from a luxury brand (Cartier, Tiffany, Van Cleef, etc.).
  • It has historical or antique value.
  • The craftsmanship is exceptional.
  • It contains valuable gemstones.

Sell for melt value if:

  • Jewelry is broken or damaged.
  • Design is outdated or common.
  • No brand name or special provenance.
  • You want a quick, straightforward sale.

Get appraisals from both jewelry buyers and gold refiners to compare offers.

Understanding Gold Valuation

Understanding Gold Purity

Gold purity determines the actual gold content in your item and directly affects its value:

  • 24K (999): 99.9% pure gold - Investment grade bullion
  • 22K (916): 91.6% pure gold - Common in Asian jewelry
  • 18K (750): 75.0% pure gold - High-quality jewelry standard
  • 14K (585): 58.5% pure gold - Popular in US jewelry
  • 10K (417): 41.7% pure gold - Minimum karat for US jewelry

The remaining percentage consists of alloy metals like copper, silver, or zinc that add strength and color.

Scrap Gold Valuation

When selling scrap gold, understanding the calculation process helps you get fair value:

  • Weigh Your Gold: Use a precise scale to measure in grams or troy ounces
  • Identify Karat: Look for stamps like "14K", "585", "18K", or "750"
  • Calculate Pure Gold: Total weight × Purity percentage = Pure gold weight
  • Multiply by Price: Pure gold weight × Current spot price = Melt value
  • Expect Dealer Discount: Refiners typically pay 70-95% of melt value

Common Gold Items

Different gold items typically contain varying amounts of pure gold:

  • Wedding Rings: Usually 14K or 18K, weighing 2-6 grams
  • Gold Chains: Commonly 10K-18K, weighing 5-30 grams
  • Gold Coins: Often 22K-24K, weighing 1-31 grams (1 oz)
  • Dental Gold: Typically 10K-20K, variable weight
  • Class Rings: Usually 10K-14K, weighing 10-20 grams
  • Gold Bars: Investment grade 24K, common sizes: 1g, 10g, 1oz

Gold Weight Conversions

Gold can be measured in various units depending on region and purpose:

  • Troy Ounce (ozt): Standard for precious metals = 31.1035 grams
  • Gram (g): Metric standard, widely used globally
  • Pennyweight (dwt): Common in US jewelry trade = 1.555 grams
  • Tola: Traditional South Asian unit = 11.66 grams
  • Tael: Chinese unit = 37.5 grams (varies by region)
  • Grain (gr): Smallest unit = 0.0648 grams
Related metals

Closest counterparts by use case — jump to live spot prices and the calculator preloaded for that metal.

Ag Silver
The industrial
Per gram $1.7358
Pt Platinum
The catalyst
Per gram $49.84