Scrap Gold Price Calculator
Friendly, precise, and built to world standards. Enter your scrap details below — all fields matter. Adjust any factor and see real-time melt value, payout, and a visual breakdown. (All values in USD, based on global spot.)
📊 value breakdown (melt vs payout)
Bar width relative to 1.3× melt value (visual proportion).
🔍 Key input factors explained (USA & world standards)
- Weight & unit – grams or troy ounces. 1 troy oz = 31.1035 g (world standard).
- Karat – gold purity: 24K = 999 fine, 18K = 75% gold, 14K = 58.3% … as per US & international hallmarks.
- Spot price – live global LBMA gold price per troy ounce (USD).
- Payout rate – typical refiner/margin (after fees, refining losses). In USA 90–98% is common.
- Year (optional) – for your inventory, doesn’t affect melt value.
📈 Gold purity & karat reference
| Karat | Gold % | Parts per 24 | Common use |
|---|---|---|---|
| 24K | 99.9% | 24/24 | bullion, investment |
| 22K | 91.7% | 22/24 | coins, some jewellery (Asia) |
| 18K | 75.0% | 18/24 | high-end EU/US jewellery |
| 14K | 58.3% | 14/24 | standard USA jewellery |
| 10K | 41.7% | 10/24 | minimum karat in US |
Example scrap values (10g item, spot $2000/oz)
| Karat | Melt value (USD) | Typical payout (95%) |
|---|---|---|
| 10K | $267.30 | $253.94 |
| 14K | $374.22 | $355.51 |
| 18K | $481.14 | $457.08 |
| 22K | $588.06 | $558.66 |
| 24K | $642.61 | $610.48 |
🌍 World spot price impact (18K, 10g example)
| Spot $/oz | Melt value | Payout (94%) |
|---|---|---|
| $1,800 | $432.73 | $406.77 |
| $2,000 | $481.14 | $452.27 |
| $2,200 | $529.25 | $497.50 |
| $2,500 | $601.43 | $565.34 |
❓ Frequently asked questions – scrap gold price calculator
How is scrap gold price calculated?
Melt value = (weight in troy oz) × (karat/24) × spot price. Then payout = melt × payout rate. All using world standards (troy ounce, decimal purity).
Do you use USA or world standards?
Both. Karat system is universal; we use LBMA-style spot in USD/oz, gram conversion via 31.1035 (international).
What is a typical payout percentage?
In the US, reputable refiners offer 90–98% of melt, depending on quantity and purity. Our default 94.5% reflects a fair average.
Why include year?
It’s for your own records – some collectors track year of item. No effect on value.
Can I use it for any country?
Yes. Spot is in USD, but you can mentally convert. Purity factors are universal.
Use the Vehicle Scrap Value Calculator to estimate your car’s value, or explore the full Scrap Calculator category to access all scrap and recycling value tools.