To calculate zakat on gold jewellery, find the pure gold in it (weight × purity), multiply by today’s 24-karat gold rate, and pay 2.5% of the value (divide by 40). For example, 10 tola of 22-karat jewellery contains about 9.16 tola of pure gold. At an example rate of Rs 400,000 per tola, that is worth Rs 3,664,000 and the zakat is Rs 91,600.
The rate used here is only an example to show the method. Use the current market rate on the day you calculate.
Step 1: Weigh the jewellery
Jewellers in Pakistan weigh gold in tola, masha and ratti, while receipts and international prices often use grams. One tola is 11.6638 grams, and one tola is 12 masha. Our tola to grams converter and grams to tola converter switch between them.
Weigh only the gold. Stones, pearls, beads and enamel are not gold, and zakat on gems that are worn is not due in any school. If the weight on the receipt includes stones, ask a jeweller to estimate the gold weight alone.
Step 2: Adjust for karat
Karat tells you how much of the metal is pure gold. 24-karat gold is almost pure; the rest of a lower karat piece is copper, silver or other metals, which are not counted as gold.
| Karat | Purity | Pure gold in 1 tola | Pure gold in 10 g | Value of 1 tola at example rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 24K | 99.9% | 0.999 tola | 9.99 g | Rs 399,600 |
| 22K | 91.6% | 0.916 tola | 9.16 g | Rs 366,400 |
| 21K | 87.5% | 0.875 tola | 8.75 g | Rs 350,000 |
| 18K | 75% | 0.750 tola | 7.50 g | Rs 300,000 |
Example rate: Rs 400,000 per tola of 24-karat gold, used for illustration only. Most bridal jewellery in Pakistan is 21 or 22 karat; 18 karat is common for diamond settings and imported pieces.
Step 3: Value it and take 2.5%
Value = weight × purity × 24-karat rate. Zakat = value ÷ 40. Use the selling (buy-back) rate if you want to be precise, since that is what the gold would fetch, but many people simply use the published per-tola rate. Making charges are not added.
Worked example in grams
You own 50 grams of 21-karat jewellery. Pure gold: 50 × 0.875 = 43.75 g. At the same example rate, 24-karat gold costs about Rs 34,294 per gram, so the gold is worth about Rs 1,500,368. Zakat is Rs 1,500,368 ÷ 40 = Rs 37,509.
Does it reach the nisab?
If gold is the only zakatable thing you own, zakat is due when the pure gold reaches the nisab of 7.5 tola (87.48 g). If you also own cash, savings or silver, you add everything together and compare it with the silver nisab of 52.5 tola (612.36 g), which is much lower. In practice, most people with some jewellery and some savings pass the nisab. Our guide to calculating zakat step by step explains this in detail.
Jewellery for personal use: the schools differ
This is a well-known difference of opinion:
- Hanafi school: zakat is due on all gold and silver, including jewellery that is worn regularly. Most people in Pakistan follow this view.
- Shafi’i, Maliki and Hanbali schools: the majority view is that jewellery kept for permissible personal use is exempt, while jewellery kept as savings, for trade or in excessive amounts is zakatable.
Both views have evidence behind them. Many people who follow other schools still pay on their jewellery as a precaution. If you are unsure, ask a scholar you trust.
Whose zakat is it?
Zakat is paid by the owner. Bridal gold given to a wife belongs to her, so the zakat is her responsibility, though a husband or family member may pay it on her behalf with her permission. Gold kept by parents for a daughter’s future wedding belongs to the parents until it is gifted.
Our zakat calculator lets you enter gold by karat in tola or grams, add savings and debts, and checks the nisab for you.
Frequently asked questions
Is zakat due on gold jewellery that is worn?
In the Hanafi school, which most people in Pakistan follow, yes. The Shafi’i, Maliki and Hanbali schools mostly exempt jewellery worn for personal use; scholars differ.
How do I calculate zakat on 22 karat gold?
Multiply the weight by 0.916 to get pure gold, value it at the 24-karat rate, then divide by 40. Our zakat calculator does this for you.
Is zakat due on diamonds and stones in jewellery?
Not on gems kept for personal use. Only the gold and silver content is counted, unless the stones are held for trade.
What is the gold nisab in grams?
The gold nisab is 7.5 tola, which is 87.48 grams of pure gold. If you also own cash or silver, the lower silver nisab of 612.36 grams is used for the combined total.