The nisab is measured in pure gold
The gold nisab is 20 mithqal of pure gold, which is 24 karat. Gold of 22, 21 or 18 karat is mixed with other metals, so only the pure gold in it counts.
Pure gold = weight in grams × karat ÷ 24
For example, 100 g of 21k gold contains 100 × 21 ÷ 24 = 87.5 g of pure gold.
How many grams is the nisab?
Scholars differ on the weight of the mithqal in grams:
- Most scholars: a mithqal is 4.25 g, so the nisab is 20 × 4.25 = 85 g of pure gold.
- Sheikh Abdulaziz Ibn Baz: the nisab is 92 g, the figure he gave in his fatwas.
Nisab for each karat
| Karat | Pure gold | Nisab (85 g pure) | Nisab (92 g pure) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 24k | 100% | 85 g | 92 g |
| 22k | 91.7% | 92.73 g | 100.36 g |
| 21k | 87.5% | 97.14 g | 105.14 g |
| 18k | 75% | 113.33 g | 122.67 g |
Nisab for a karat = pure nisab × 24 ÷ karat. For 21k on the majority view: 85 × 24 ÷ 21 = 97.14 g.
Example: 100 g of 21k gold
- Pure gold: 100 × 21 ÷ 24 = 87.5 g.
- Majority view (85 g): the nisab is reached. Zakat is 2.5% of 87.5 = 2.19 g of pure gold, or its value in cash. At an example price of 300 SAR per gram of 24k gold, that’s 656.25 SAR.
- Sheikh Ibn Baz’s view (92 g): the nisab isn’t reached, so no zakat is due on the gold alone.
When your gold is close to the nisab, it matters which view you follow.
If you have more than one karat
Work out the pure gold for each karat, then add them. For 60 g of 21k and 40 g of 18k:
- 60 × 21 ÷ 24 = 52.5 g pure
- 40 × 18 ÷ 24 = 30 g pure
- Total 82.5 g pure: below 85 g, so the gold alone doesn’t reach the nisab.
Good to know
- Stones and gems don’t count. Weigh the gold only.
- Jewelry you wear: scholars differ. Some, including the Hanafi school and Sheikh Ibn Baz, say zakat is due on it; others say it isn’t.
- Gold and cash together: many scholars add gold to your savings to reach the nisab, so gold below the nisab on its own may still count with your money.
Work out your full zakat on gold, savings and investments with the zakat calculator. It lets you choose 85 g or 92 g and shows the nisab for your gold’s karat. For questions about your own situation, ask a scholar you trust.