Gold Filled Scrap Calculator
Trusted by refiners worldwide — get real‑time value for your gold‑filled items. Adjust any factor, see instant results with chart.
✔ USA / world standards: gold filled = bonded layer. All fields editable.
Fine gold weight 0.00 g
Value at spot $0
After refining $0
* based on karat × fraction × weight. Refining loss deducted.
your year: —
Understanding gold filled scrap standards (USA + worldwide)
Gold filled (GF) items have a thick layer of karat gold metallurgically bonded to a base (usually brass). In the US, FTC requires gold filled to be at least 1/20 of total weight. Globally, similar rules apply under various names (rolled gold, gold overlay). Below are reference tables used by scrap buyers.
⚬ Common gold filled markings & real gold content
| Marking | Fraction | Karat | Pure gold % (approx) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1/20 14K GF | 5% | 14K | 2.92% |
| 1/20 12K GF | 5% | 12K | 2.50% |
| 1/10 14K GF | 10% | 14K | 5.83% |
| 1/40 18K GF | 2.5% | 18K | 1.87% |
⚬ Karat purity / world reference
| Karat | Gold % | Commonly used in |
|---|---|---|
| 9K | 37.5% | UK, Europe (lowest hallmark) |
| 10K | 41.7% | USA (minimum karat for GF) |
| 14K | 58.3% | USA, Middle East |
| 18K | 75.0% | Europe, Asia, high-end |
| 22K | 91.7% | India, Gulf countries |
⚬ Typical refining loss ranges (industry estimates)
| Refinery type | Loss % (gold filled) | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Large scale | 2% – 4% | direct smelt |
| Mid‑tier | 4% – 7% | includes assay fee |
| Small / mail‑in | 5% – 10% | handling & refining |
⚬ Weight conversion (oz troy ↔ grams)
| Unit | Equivalent |
|---|---|
| 1 troy ounce (oz) | 31.1035 grams |
| 1 gram (g) | 0.03215 troy oz |
⚬ Factors that influence final payout
- Layer uniformity – worn GF yields less gold (use custom fraction).
- Base metal – brass/copper may have slight scrap value, not included here.
- Market price – uses real‑time input (you set spot).
- Refining efficiency – varies by region (USA, EU, Asia).
Frequently asked questions – gold filled scrap calculator
❓ What exactly is “gold filled”?
Gold filled is a material where a sheet of karat gold is bonded under heat and pressure to a base metal (typically brass). Minimum gold layer is 1/20 of total weight in the US. Much thicker than gold plating.
❓ How do I use this gold filled scrap calculator?
Enter total weight, select karat (e.g., 14K), choose the fill fraction (1/20 = 5%), input current gold spot price, and an estimated refining loss. The chart shows spot vs net value.
❓ What does “1/20 14K GF” mean?
It means 1/20th (5%) of the item’s total weight is 14‑karat gold. So pure gold content = 5% × (14/24) = 2.92% by weight.
❓ Does the model year affect scrap value?
Not directly, but older items may have wear (reduce fraction). We let you note year for inventory — use the custom fraction if worn.
❓ What refining loss % should I use?
Professional refiners often deduct 2‑8% for gold filled. Our default 5.5% is average in USA/global. Adjust based on your refinery.
Use the Scrap Metal Calculator to quickly estimate material values, or explore the full Scrap Calculator category for all related scrap and recycling tools.