# Scrap Gold Calculator

Calculate the melt value of scrap gold by weight and karat. Supports 10K, 14K, 18K, 22K, and 24K gold. Free scrap gold value calculator.

## What this calculates

Find out what your scrap gold is worth before you sell. Enter the weight, karat purity, and current gold spot price to see the melt value. Supports grams, troy ounces, and pennyweight.

## Inputs

- **Weight** — min 0 — The weight of your scrap gold.
- **Weight Unit** — options: Grams, Troy Ounces, Pennyweight (dwt) — The unit of measurement for the weight.
- **Karat Purity** — options: 10K (41.7% pure), 14K (58.3% pure), 18K (75.0% pure), 22K (91.7% pure), 24K (99.9% pure) — The karat rating of your gold item.
- **Gold Spot Price (per Troy Oz)** ($) — min 0 — Current gold spot price per troy ounce. Check a live price source for the latest.

## Outputs

- **Pure Gold Content** — The weight of actual pure gold in your item.
- **Melt Value** — formatted as currency — The theoretical value of the pure gold content at spot price.
- **Purity Percentage** — formatted as percentage — The gold purity for the selected karat.
- **Spot Price per Gram** — formatted as currency — Current gold price per gram for reference.

## Details

The value of scrap gold depends on three things: weight, purity (karat), and the current gold spot price. Not all gold jewelry is created equal. A 10-gram 14K gold ring contains only 5.83 grams of pure gold, while the same weight in 24K contains 9.99 grams of pure gold.

Here is a quick breakdown of gold purity by karat:

- **10K** = 41.7% pure gold (common in affordable jewelry)
- **14K** = 58.3% pure gold (most popular in the US)
- **18K** = 75.0% pure gold (common in fine jewelry)
- **22K** = 91.7% pure gold (popular in coins and Asian jewelry)
- **24K** = 99.9% pure gold (bars, bullion, some coins)

At a spot price of $2,350 per troy ounce ($75.56 per gram), 10 grams of 14K gold has a melt value of about $440. Scrap gold buyers typically pay 70-90% of the melt value, so expect offers of $308-$396 for that same piece. Always know the melt value before you negotiate.

## Frequently Asked Questions

**Q: How do I find the karat of my gold?**

A: Look for a stamp on the inside of rings, on clasps of necklaces, or on the back of pendants. Common stamps are 10K, 14K, 18K, 585 (14K), 750 (18K), or 999 (24K). If there is no stamp, a jeweler can test the gold using acid testing or electronic testing. Unmarked pieces may not be real gold.

**Q: What is the difference between troy ounces and regular ounces?**

A: Gold is measured in troy ounces, not standard (avoirdupois) ounces. One troy ounce equals 31.1035 grams, while a standard ounce is 28.3495 grams. A troy ounce is about 10% heavier than a regular ounce. When you see gold quoted at a price per ounce, it always means troy ounces.

**Q: How much will a gold buyer actually pay me?**

A: Most scrap gold buyers pay 70-90% of the melt value. Pawn shops tend to pay less (50-70%), while specialized online gold buyers and refiners often pay closer to 85-95%. Always get multiple quotes and know your melt value before selling. The difference between a 70% and 90% offer on $500 of gold is $150.

**Q: Where can I find the current gold spot price?**

A: Gold spot prices are available in real-time from financial sites like Kitco, Bloomberg, or Google Finance. The spot price changes throughout the trading day. It represents the price for one troy ounce of 24K pure gold on the commodities market. The price in this calculator should be updated to the current market rate for accurate results.

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Source: https://vastcalc.com/calculators/finance/scrap-gold
Category: Finance
Last updated: 2026-04-08