Scrap Gold Calculator
Calculate the metal value of old gold jewelry using live spot prices — United States 2026. Know your melt value before you sell.
Gold Details
Dealer Buyback %
Enter weight and select karat to see your calculation
Scrap Gold Calculator
Estimate based on indicative market prices at the time shown. Not an offer to buy or sell.
Frequently Asked Questions
How is scrap gold value calculated?
Scrap gold value = weight in grams × purity fraction × spot price per gram. For example, a 10-gram 18K piece (75% pure) with gold at $90/gram = 10 × 0.75 × $90 = $675 melt value. Dealers typically pay 80–95% of that melt value after deducting refining costs.
What do gold buyers pay for scrap gold?
Most reputable gold buyers pay 80–95% of the gold's melt value (pure metal value at spot price). Pawnshops typically offer 60–75%, while specialist refiners and online gold buyers may pay 90–98%. The 'dealer buyback %' slider in this calculator lets you model any scenario.
What is the difference between karat and gold purity?
Karat measures how many parts out of 24 are pure gold. 24K = 100% gold (fineness 999), 22K = 91.67% gold (fineness 917), 18K = 75% gold (fineness 750), 14K = 58.3% gold (fineness 585), 10K = 41.7% gold (fineness 417). Higher karat = more pure gold = higher scrap value per gram.
How do I find the karat of my gold jewelry?
Look for a hallmark stamp inside the jewelry — typically a number like 750 (18K), 916 or 917 (22K), 585 (14K), or 375 (9K). In North America, pieces are more often stamped with the karat number directly: 18K, 14K, 10K. If there is no stamp, a jeweler or gold buyer can test purity with nitric acid or an XRF analyzer for a small fee.
Should I sell scrap gold to a pawnshop or a gold buyer?
Gold specialist buyers (local gold dealers, online refiners) almost always pay more than pawnshops because they have lower overhead and a direct refining pipeline. Pawnshops typically offer 55–75% of melt value; gold buyers typically 80–95%. Always get at least 2–3 quotes before selling, and use this calculator to know your minimum acceptable offer.
Can I add multiple gold items and get one total?
Yes — use the 'Add Item' button to build a basket of multiple pieces, each with its own weight, unit, and karat. The calculator sums all items and shows a combined melt value, total dealer offer, and price range for the entire collection.