Zakat on gold and silver: nisab in grams and tola
Zakat is due on gold and silver once you hold at least the nisab for one lunar year. This guide gives the nisab in tola and grams, shows how to value your gold, and works through an example.
The nisab for gold and silver
- Gold: 7.5 tola = 87.48 grams.
- Silver: 52.5 tola = 612.36 grams.
One tola is 11.664 grams. Zakat is 2.5% of your net zakatable wealth, and it is due once your wealth is at or above the nisab and has been held for one lunar year.
Tola to gram conversion
| Tola | Grams |
|---|---|
| 1 | 11.664 |
| 3 | 34.992 |
| 5 | 58.32 |
| 7.5 | 87.48 |
| 10 | 116.64 |
| 52.5 | 612.36 |
How to value your gold and silver
- Weigh your gold and silver, or check the weight on the receipt, in tola or grams.
- Find today's rate per tola (or per gram) from a local jeweller.
- Multiply the weight by the rate to get the value in rupees (or your own currency).
- Add your cash, bank balance, business stock and other zakatable assets, then subtract debts due now.
The Zakat calculator does this for you and lets you switch between tola and grams.
Worked example
These rates are examples only: use today's rates.
- Gold owned: 3 tola (34.992 g) at Rs 380,000 per tola = Rs 1,140,000.
- Cash and bank: Rs 200,000.
- Total wealth: Rs 1,340,000, with no debts due.
- Silver nisab: 52.5 tola × Rs 4,500 = Rs 236,250. Your wealth is above it, so Zakat is 2.5% × Rs 1,340,000 = Rs 33,500.
- Gold nisab: 7.5 tola × Rs 380,000 = Rs 2,850,000. Your wealth is below it, so no Zakat would be due on this basis.
The two nisab figures can give different answers, which is why it matters which one your scholar tells you to follow.
Gold jewellery and differences between scholars
Scholars differ on whether jewellery worn for personal use is zakatable. The Hanafi school counts it; some other schools do not. Pick a scholar you trust, follow their guidance, and use the calculator for the arithmetic.
For the full step-by-step method, see how to calculate Zakat in Pakistan.
Frequently asked questions
How many grams is the gold nisab?
The gold nisab is 7.5 tola, which is 87.48 grams (7.5 × 11.664 g). Some institutions quote about 85 grams, so ask your scholar or institution which figure they follow.
How many grams is the silver nisab?
The silver nisab is 52.5 tola, which is 612.36 grams (52.5 × 11.664 g).
Do I pay Zakat on gold jewellery that I wear?
Scholars differ. The Hanafi school, which is widely followed in Pakistan, counts gold and silver jewellery as zakatable, while some other schools do not for jewellery worn for personal use. Ask your own scholar.
Should I use the gold or the silver nisab?
Scholars and institutions differ. The silver nisab is lower, so more people reach it, and many scholars advise it. Others use the gold nisab when the only wealth is gold. Ask a qualified scholar which to follow.
Do I count the weight of the whole piece or only the gold?
Jewellery is usually valued by its gold content. A 22-carat item is 22/24 gold by weight. Ask your scholar how to treat stones and making charges.