Gold Melt Value Calculator
Calculate gold melt value based on purity, weight, and current gold spot price. Determine scrap gold bullion value with bid and ask pricing for selling or refining.
About This Calculator
The Gold Melt Value Calculator helps you determine the intrinsic worth of your gold items based on their weight, karat purity, and the current gold spot market price. Whether you are selling scrap gold jewelry, evaluating bullion coins, or refining precious metals, this calculator gives you the melt value along with realistic bid and ask prices that account for dealer spreads. It is an essential tool for gold investors, jewelry sellers, pawnbrokers, and refiners in India, the US, and the UK.
The calculator uses the standard gold melt value formula: Melt Value = Weight × (Purity / 100) × Spot Price per Unit Weight. Purity is determined from the selected karat (24K = 99.9%, 22K = 91.67%, 18K = 75%, 14K = 58.33%, etc.) or from a custom percentage you enter. The optional dealer spread adjusts the melt value to show the bid price (what a dealer pays you) and ask price (what you would pay a dealer). Results include the pure gold weight, a breakdown showing gold vs. alloy content, and interactive charts.
Regional Notes
India: Gold is typically sold in 22K (91.67% purity) for jewelry, with prices quoted per 10 grams on the MCX. Hallmarking is mandatory for purity certification. The standard dealer spread ranges from 1-3% for coins and bars, and 3-5% for jewelry.
US: Gold is commonly traded in 24K bullion bars and coins (American Eagle, Buffalo) with purity typically 91.67% to 99.99%. Prices are quoted per troy ounce (31.1035 grams) on COMEX. Dealer spreads are typically 1-2% for popular bullion products.
UK: The LBMA Gold Price sets the international benchmark. Gold is traded in 99.5% (12 kg good delivery bars) and retail products include Sovereign coins (22K) and Britannia coins (24K). VAT may apply on investment gold depending on the product type.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is gold melt value?
Gold melt value is the intrinsic worth of the pure gold content in an item, calculated by multiplying the weight of gold by its purity percentage and the current spot price per unit weight. It represents the raw material value if the gold were melted down, excluding any artistic or collectible premium.
How do you calculate gold melt value?
Gold melt value is calculated using the formula: Melt Value = Weight × (Purity / 100) × Spot Price per Unit. For example, a 10 gram 22K (91.67% purity) gold item at ₹6,500 per gram has a melt value of 10 × 0.9167 × 6500 = ₹59,585.50.
What is the difference between bid and ask price for gold?
The bid price is what a dealer will pay to buy your gold (slightly below melt value), while the ask price is what you would pay to buy gold from a dealer (above melt value). The difference is the dealer spread, typically 1-5%, which covers refining, handling, and profit margins.
How pure is 22 karat gold?
22 karat gold is 91.67% pure. It contains 22 parts pure gold and 2 parts other metals (like copper or silver) out of 24 total parts. This is the standard purity for gold jewelry in India and many other countries.
Is gold melt value the same as scrap value?
Yes, gold melt value and scrap value generally refer to the same thing—the intrinsic value of the gold content based on weight, purity and current market price. However, actual scrap gold prices offered by dealers may be 1-5% below melt value due to refining costs and profit margins.
How much is 14K gold worth per gram?
14K gold is 58.33% pure. At a spot price of ₹6,500/g in India, 14K gold melt value would be approximately ₹3,791/g. In the US at $75/g spot, 14K gold would be worth about $43.75/g. The exact value depends on the current market price, which fluctuates daily.
What affects gold melt value the most?
The gold spot price has the largest impact on melt value, as it fluctuates daily based on global market conditions including inflation, currency strength, geopolitical events and central bank policies. Weight and purity are fixed characteristics of your item, while the spot price changes constantly from global trading on exchanges like LBMA, COMEX and MCX.
How do I convert troy ounces to grams for gold pricing?
One troy ounce equals 31.1035 grams. If the gold spot price is quoted per troy ounce (common in US and UK markets), divide by 31.1035 to get the price per gram. For example, $2,400 per troy ounce ÷ 31.1035 = approximately $77.16 per gram.