Enter the weight and karat purity of your gold. Melt value updates instantly using the live spot price, refreshed every 60 seconds.
The melt value of a gold item represents the value of its pure gold content at current market prices. The formula is straightforward:
Melt Value = Spot Price × Weight (in troy ounces) × Purity
For example, if you have a 14K gold chain weighing 20 grams and the spot price is $2,400 per troy ounce: first convert grams to troy ounces (20 ÷ 31.1035 = 0.6430 oz t), then multiply by the purity of 14K gold (0.5833) and the spot price. The result is 0.6430 × 0.5833 × $2,400 = $900.05 in melt value.
The karat system measures the proportion of pure gold in an alloy. Pure gold is 24 karats. Here is the gold content for every common karat grade:
| Karat | Gold % | Millesimal Fineness | Pure Gold per Gram | Common Uses |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 24K | 99.9% | 999 | 0.999 g | Bullion bars, coins (Maple Leaf, Buffalo), investment jewelry |
| 22K | 91.67% | 916 | 0.917 g | American Gold Eagle, Krugerrand, Indian jewelry |
| 21K | 87.5% | 875 | 0.875 g | Middle Eastern & South Asian jewelry |
| 18K | 75.0% | 750 | 0.750 g | Fine jewelry, luxury watches, European jewelry |
| 14K | 58.33% | 585 | 0.583 g | Most US jewelry, rings, chains, bracelets |
| 10K | 41.67% | 417 | 0.417 g | Budget jewelry, class rings, some chains |
If you're considering selling gold jewelry, coins, or scrap, the melt value is your starting point — it represents the absolute floor. No buyer should offer you less than melt value, and reputable dealers will pay a percentage above it depending on the item.
Pawn shops and "cash for gold" storefront operations typically offer 50-70% of melt value. Online gold buyers and local coin shops usually pay 75-90%. Refiners who buy directly from the public tend to pay the highest, often 90-98% of melt value. The key is knowing your melt value before you walk in the door, so you can immediately tell whether an offer is fair.
Gold bullion coins (American Eagles, Maple Leafs, Krugerrands) typically sell for a premium above melt value because they have recognized weight, purity, and liquidity. Gold jewelry may or may not carry a premium — designer pieces and antiques can be worth significantly more than melt. Generic scrap gold (broken chains, single earrings, dental gold) will typically sell close to or slightly below melt value.
Gold is priced in troy ounces, not standard (avoirdupois) ounces. One troy ounce equals 31.1035 grams, while a regular ounce is 28.3495 grams. This means a troy ounce is about 10% heavier than a regular ounce. When you see "gold is $2,400 per ounce," that's per troy ounce. Our calculator handles all unit conversions automatically — just select your unit and enter the weight.
Pennyweight is a unit commonly used by jewelers and gold buyers in the United States. One pennyweight equals 1.555 grams, or 1/20 of a troy ounce. If a jeweler tells you your chain weighs "12 dwt," you can enter 12 in our calculator with the dwt unit selected to see the melt value instantly. Some less scrupulous buyers quote a price per pennyweight that sounds high but is actually below melt — always verify with a calculator.