Zakat on gold is calculated in three steps. First, find the weight of pure gold: multiply the weight by the karat and divide by 24. If the pure gold reaches 85 grams or more and a full lunar year (Hawl) has passed while you own it, pay a quarter of a tenth of it, which is 2.5%, either in gold or its cash value on the day you pay. This is how Islamweb explains the calculation of Zakat on gold. Jewellery a woman wears for adornment carries no Zakat according to the majority of scholars, though paying it is the more cautious choice.
- The Nisab of gold is 85 grams of pure gold, that is, 24 karat.
- Pure gold in any karat = weight × karat ÷ 24.
- Zakat due = pure gold weight × 2.5%.
- You may pay in gold or in cash at the price on the day you pay.
- Gold kept as savings is subject to Zakat; jewellery worn for adornment is not, according to the majority.
When Is Zakat Due on Gold?
Zakat on gold is due when three conditions are met:
- Nisab: your pure gold reaches 85 grams or more.
- Full ownership: the gold is yours.
- Hawl: a full lunar year passes from the day the Nisab was reached.
If you own several pieces, they are added together to see whether the Nisab is reached. For the Nisab of other wealth, read the Nisab of wealth Zakat.
How Do You Work Out Pure Gold in 21 and 18 Karat?
The Nisab is counted on pure gold only, which is 24 karat. Other karats are mixed with metals that carry no Zakat, so you work out the pure gold with this formula: weight in grams × karat ÷ 24. Weigh each karat on its own, and leave out stones and gems.
| Karat | Formula | Pure gold in 100 grams |
|---|---|---|
| 24 | weight × 24 ÷ 24 | 100 grams |
| 22 | weight × 22 ÷ 24 | 91.67 grams |
| 21 | weight × 21 ÷ 24 | 87.5 grams |
| 18 | weight × 18 ÷ 24 | 75 grams |
An example from a fatwa on 21 karat gold: someone with 97 grams of 21 karat multiplies 97 by 21 to get 2,037, then divides by 24 to get 84.875 grams of pure gold. That is below 85 grams, so no Zakat is due.
How Do You Calculate the Zakat Amount?
Once your pure gold reaches the Nisab, multiply its weight by 2.5%, or 0.025. For example, 120 grams of 21 karat gold contains 120 × 21 ÷ 24 = 105 grams of pure gold, which reaches the Nisab. The Zakat is 105 × 0.025 = 2.625 grams of pure gold, or its cash value.
You can also use the gold Zakat calculator on the Qatar Charity website.
Can You Pay Zakat on Gold in Cash?
Yes. Zakat is paid from the gold itself in principle, but paying it in cash is allowed. Find the market price of one gram of pure gold on the day you pay, then multiply it by the Zakat due in grams. In the example above, you multiply 2.625 by the price of a gram of 24 karat gold on that day.
Is Zakat Due on Jewellery a Woman Wears?
Jewellery kept for wearing and adornment carries no Zakat according to the majority of scholars, and there is no sin on whoever follows this view. Some scholars hold that Zakat is due on it, and paying it is more cautious and clears one’s duty.
Gold kept as savings and not worn, such as bars or stored jewellery, is subject to Zakat once it reaches the Nisab and a lunar year passes.
Where Can You Pay Your Zakat on Gold?
Once you have calculated your Zakat, you can pay it through the Zakat page on the Qatar Charity website, so it reaches eligible families affected by hardship in Qatar and abroad. To learn who may receive Zakat, read the eight categories of Zakat.
Zakat on Gold: Nisab, Rate and Payment
What is the Nisab of gold in grams?
The Nisab of gold is 85 grams of pure 24 karat gold. If your gold is another karat, work out its pure gold first.
How do I calculate Zakat on 21 karat gold?
Multiply the weight by 21 and divide by 24. If the result is 85 grams or more and a lunar year has passed, pay 2.5% of it.
What is the Zakat rate on gold?
A quarter of a tenth, which is 2.5% of the pure gold weight or of its value.
Can Zakat on gold be paid in cash?
Yes, it can be paid in cash at the market value of pure gold on the day you pay.
Is Zakat due on gold jewellery that is worn?
Not according to the majority of scholars, if it is kept for wearing and adornment, though paying it is the more cautious choice.
Calculate your Zakat and pay it: pay your Zakat now through Qatar Charity
