Tools
Gold Karat Calculator
Calculate the melt value of gold jewelry, coins, or scrap by karat purity. Select the karat, enter the weight in grams, and see the pure gold content and value at today's spot price.
Melt value is the raw gold content value only. Jewelry and coins may have additional value based on craftsmanship, rarity, or collectibility. Dealers typically pay 70-90% of melt value when buying scrap gold. Not investment advice.
Gold Karat Purity Guide
24 Karat (999.9) — Pure gold. Used for investment bars, coins (Canadian Maple Leaf, Austrian Philharmonic), and some Asian jewelry. Very soft and not ideal for everyday wear.
22 Karat (916) — 91.67% gold. Used for investment coins (American Gold Eagle, South African Krugerrand) and traditional jewelry in India and the Middle East. Check the gold price in Rupees or gold price in Dirhams for local values.
18 Karat (750) — 75% gold. The most popular karat for fine jewelry worldwide. Good balance of gold content, durability, and color.
14 Karat (585) — 58.5% gold. The standard in the US for engagement rings and everyday jewelry. More durable than higher karats.
10 Karat (417)— 41.7% gold. The minimum karat that can legally be sold as "gold" in the US. Most affordable but lowest gold content.
9 Karat (375) — 37.5% gold. Common in the UK and Australia. Not recognized as gold in the US but widely used for affordable jewelry in Commonwealth countries. See the gold price in Pounds or gold price in AUD.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is gold melt value?
Melt value is the worth of the pure gold content in an item, based on the current spot price. For example, 10 grams of 18K gold contains 7.5 grams of pure gold. At $150/gram, the melt value is $1,125. This is the minimum your gold is worth — jewelry may be worth more due to craftsmanship or brand.
How do I know what karat my gold is?
Look for a hallmark stamp on the item. Common stamps include "750" (18K), "585" (14K), "916" (22K), and "375" (9K). The number represents parts per thousand of pure gold. If there's no stamp, a jeweler can test it with acid or an XRF analyzer.
How much will a dealer pay for scrap gold?
Dealers typically pay 70-90% of melt value for scrap gold, depending on the dealer, quantity, and purity. Refiners pay closer to 95-98% of melt value for large quantities. Always get quotes from multiple buyers.
What is the difference between karat and carat?
Karat (K) measures gold purity — 24K is pure gold, 18K is 75% gold. Carat (ct) measures gemstone weight — 1 carat = 0.2 grams. In some countries (UK, Australia), "carat" is used for both, but in the US they are distinct terms.
Is 24K gold always the best?
For investment purposes, yes — 24K (99.99% pure) gold bars and coins have the highest gold content per gram. For jewelry, 18K or 14K is more practical because pure gold is very soft and scratches easily. The alloy metals in lower karats add durability.
Related Tools & Resources
Melt values are based on the pure gold content at the current spot price and are for reference only. Jewelry may have additional value from craftsmanship, brand, or gemstones. Scrap gold dealers typically pay 70-90% of melt value. This is not investment advice.