Free browser-based calculator
Gold Calculator
Estimate the melt value and possible buyer offer for your gold using weight, purity, and the spot price you enter in the Gold Calculator.
- No sign-up
- Multiple gold items
- Mobile friendly
Use the Gold Calculator
Enter the market price, add one or more items, then calculate the estimated metal value and buyer payout.
| Item name | Weight | Unit | Karat/purity | Custom purity | Item value | Remove |
|---|
Estimated gold melt value
Estimated buyer offer: $0.00
How the result is calculated
- The entered weight is converted to grams.
- Grams are converted to troy ounces.
- The weight is adjusted for the selected purity.
- The pure-gold amount is multiplied by the entered spot price.
- The buyer payout percentage is applied to the melt value.
Gold price by karat
| Karat | Purity | Price per gram | Price per troy ounce | Value for entered weight |
|---|
Gold weight unit converter
Gold Calculator guide
A practical explanation of purity, melt value, buyer offers, and the details that can change what your gold is actually worth.
Gold prices are normally quoted in US dollars per troy ounce, while jewelry is often weighed in grams. That mismatch makes quick estimates awkward. This calculator handles the conversion and adjusts the result for karat purity, so you can check a ring, chain, coin, bar, dental gold, or a small batch of mixed scrap before speaking with a buyer.
What this calculator tells you
The main result is the estimated melt value: the value of the pure gold contained in the item. A second figure shows a possible buyer offer after applying the payout percentage you selected. The two amounts are deliberately separated because a dealer rarely pays the full theoretical metal value.
How to use the Gold Calculator
- Enter the gold spot price you want to use.
- Choose an expected buyer payout, or enter your own percentage.
- Add the item weight and select the correct unit.
- Select the karat marking. For stamps such as 585 or 750, choose custom purity.
- Add separate rows when your items have different weights or purities.
For a mixed jewelry lot, do not average the karats. A 10K ring and an 18K chain contain very different amounts of gold, even when they weigh the same.
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The formula behind the estimate
The calculation follows a simple sequence:
Item value = weight in troy ounces × purity × gold spot price
For example, 14K gold uses a purity factor of about 0.5833. If a buyer pays 90% of melt value, the estimated offer is the calculated item value multiplied by 0.90.
gold-value-calculation.webp through Media Library and the template will find its real WordPress upload URL automatically.Gold karat and purity reference
| Common stamp | Karat | Approximate purity | Often seen in |
|---|---|---|---|
| 999 | 24K | 99.9% | Bullion and investment coins |
| 916 | 22K | 91.67% | High-purity jewelry and coins |
| 750 | 18K | 75% | Fine jewelry |
| 585 | 14K | 58.5% | Common US jewelry |
| 417 | 10K | 41.7% | Durable, lower-cost jewelry |
| 375 | 9K | 37.5% | Jewelry in several markets |
Melt value is not always resale value
A signed designer piece, an antique item, or a collectible coin may be worth more than its gold content. On the other hand, stones, clasps, springs, solder, and non-gold components can make the total scale weight higher than the gold weight. This tool is best used as a starting point, not a final appraisal.
Why a buyer may offer less
Gold buyers account for testing, refining, price movement, operating costs, and profit. An offer can also change according to the quantity you sell and how easy the item is to verify. Use the payout control to compare several realistic scenarios instead of relying on one number.
A quick example
Suppose a 14K bracelet weighs 20 grams. The calculator converts 20 grams to troy ounces, applies 58.33% purity, and multiplies that amount by the spot price you entered. If you selected a 90% payout, the buyer-offer result shows 90% of the calculated melt value.
Before selling gold
- Check the weight on a scale that can measure small gram differences.
- Confirm whether the mark is a karat stamp, a fineness stamp, or a maker’s mark.
- Remove obviously non-gold parts only when it is safe and appropriate.
- Ask whether the quote includes testing or refining fees.
- Compare more than one written offer.
Important limitation
This page does not fetch a live market price. Enter a current spot price from a source you trust, and remember that the gold market can move throughout the day. The result is an estimate for educational and comparison purposes.
Gold Calculator FAQs
What is gold melt value?
Gold melt value is the estimated market value of the pure gold contained in an item. It does not automatically include gemstones, brand value, craftsmanship, or collectible value.
How is 14K gold calculated?
Fourteen-karat gold is approximately 58.33% pure. The calculator applies that purity to the entered weight and then multiplies the pure-gold amount by the spot price.
What does 585 mean on gold?
A 585 stamp usually means the metal is approximately 585 parts gold per 1,000, which is commonly treated as 14K gold.
What is the difference between a troy ounce and a regular ounce?
Precious metals use troy ounces. One troy ounce is 31.1034768 grams, while a regular avoirdupois ounce is about 28.3495 grams.
Does this calculator use a live gold price?
No. It uses the spot price you enter, which lets you calculate with the market price and currency assumption you choose.
Why is a buyer offer lower than melt value?
Buyers may deduct costs for testing, refining, market risk, overhead, and profit. The payout field helps model that difference.