Scrap Gold Calculator - Live Melt Value
Calculate what your gold is worth at today's spot price of $4,070.80/oz. Updated every 10 minutes.
Total melt value
$0.00
What a dealer will pay
Scrap gold price table -USD
| Karat | Purity | Per gram | Per dwt | Per troy oz | Stamp |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 24K | 99.9% | $130.87 | $203.52 | $4,070 | 999 |
| 22K | 91.7% | $119.98 | $186.59 | $3,732 | 916 |
| 18K | 75% | $98.16 | $152.66 | $3,053 | 750 |
| 14K | 58.3% | $76.34 | $118.73 | $2,374 | 585 |
| 10K | 41.7% | $54.54 | $84.82 | $1,696 | 417 |
| 9K | 37.5% | $49.08 | $76.33 | $1,527 | 375 |
Gold hallmark guide
Solid gold
NOT solid gold - worth much less
Gold plated (GP)
Gold filled (GF)
Gold electroplate (GE)
Heavy gold electroplate (HGE)
Rolled gold plate (RGP)
Guide by James Whitfield·Investment Research Lead·Last updated April 2026How the scrap gold calculator works
The scrap gold calculator uses a simple formula: Weight × (Karat ÷ 24) × Spot Price per gram. For example, if you have a 14K gold ring weighing 5 grams and gold is trading at $130.88 per gram, your ring contains 5 × (14÷24) = 2.917 grams of pure gold, worth $381.71. This is the melt value - the raw gold content value before any dealer markup or discount.
The melt value is NOT what a dealer will pay you. Gold buyers need to cover refining costs, overhead, and profit margin. Most buyers pay 60–90% of melt value depending on the type of buyer and quantity you're selling.
Understanding gold purity and karats
Gold purity is measured in karats (K) on a scale of 0–24, where 24K is pure gold (99.9%). Most gold jewelry is alloyed with other metals for durability.
- 24K (999) - 99.9% pure gold. Too soft for most jewelry. Used in bullion, coins, and some Asian jewelry.
- 22K (916) - 91.7% pure. Popular in India, Middle East, and Southeast Asia for fine jewelry.
- 18K (750) - 75% pure. Common in high-end jewelry worldwide. Good balance of purity and durability.
- 14K (585) - 58.3% pure. The most popular karat in the United States. Durable and affordable.
- 10K (417) - 41.7% pure. The minimum karat that can legally be called 'gold' in the US.
- 9K (375) - 37.5% pure. Common in the UK and some European countries.
Warning: Items stamped GP (gold plated), GF (gold filled), GE (gold electroplate), HGE (heavy gold electroplate), or RGP (rolled gold plate) are NOT solid gold. They have a thin layer of gold over a base metal and are worth significantly less than solid gold.
How to weigh your gold accurately
Accurate weighing is critical. We recommend a digital gram scale accurate to 0.01g for weighing jewelry. Before weighing, remove any stones, clasps, or non-gold parts. Calibrate your scale using a US nickel (exactly 5.00 grams) or a penny (exactly 2.50 grams).
Gold is measured in troy ounces (31.1035g), not regular ounces (28.35g). Jewelers often use pennyweights (dwt) where 1 dwt = 1.555g. Our calculator supports all common units.
We recommend a digital gram scale accurate to 0.01g for weighing jewelry.
What dealers actually pay for scrap gold
The amount you'll receive depends on who you sell to. Here's what to expect:
- Pawn shops typically pay 50–70% of melt value. Convenient but lowest payout.
- 'We buy gold' stores offer 60–75%. Slightly better than pawn shops.
- Online gold buyers pay 75–90%. Better prices because of lower overhead. Requires shipping your gold.
- Refiners pay 85–97%, the best payout. But they often require minimum quantities (50–100+ grams).
Red flag: Anyone offering more than 95% of melt value is likely running a scam. The refining process has real costs that make payouts above 95% unsustainable.
Tips for selling scrap gold
Get at least 3 quotes before selling. Know your karat before walking into any store - use this calculator. Weigh your gold at home first so you can verify the dealer's scale. Avoid mail-in gold services with poor reviews. The best time to sell is when gold prices are at multi-week highs. Never let anyone take your gold out of your sight for 'testing'.
Frequently asked questions
How much is 14K gold worth per gram?▾
At today's spot price, 14K gold is worth approximately $76.34 per gram. 14K gold is 58.3% pure gold, so the per-gram value is the 24K spot price multiplied by 0.583.
Is 10K gold worth selling?▾
Yes, 10K gold has real value. At today's prices, 10K gold is worth about $54.54 per gram. While it's the lowest common karat, a heavy 10K chain or multiple items can still be worth hundreds of dollars.
How do I know if my gold is real?▾
Check for karat stamps (10K, 14K, 18K, 585, 750, etc.) on the inside of rings or clasps of chains. Use a magnet - real gold is not magnetic. For certainty, visit a jeweler for an acid test or XRF analysis.
What is melt value?▾
Melt value is the worth of the pure gold content in your item based on the current spot price. It's the theoretical maximum value if the gold were melted and refined to pure 24K. Dealers pay a percentage below melt value to cover costs.
How much will a pawn shop pay for my gold?▾
Pawn shops typically pay 50–70% of the melt value. For example, if your gold's melt value is $1,527, a pawn shop might offer $763–$1,069. Online buyers and refiners generally pay more.
Can I sell gold-plated jewelry?▾
Gold-plated (GP) jewelry has very little gold content and is generally not worth selling for its gold value. The gold layer is typically only 0.5–2.5 microns thick. Some buyers may offer a few dollars per pound for plated items.
What's the difference between gold-filled and solid gold?▾
Gold-filled (GF) has a thicker layer of gold bonded to a base metal - typically 5% gold by weight. Solid gold (e.g., 14K) is the same alloy all the way through. Gold-filled items are worth much less than solid gold.
How much is a gold tooth worth?▾
Dental gold is typically 10K–22K. A single gold crown weighs about 2–3 grams. At today's prices, a 16K dental crown (3g) would have a melt value of approximately $261.76. Dental refiners buy gold teeth.