Scrap Gold Calculator
Estimate scrap gold value from weight, karat purity, spot price, and a realistic buyer payout rate before you compare offers.
Estimate melt value before comparing buyer offers.
Enter each item separately so mixed karats, units, and dental gold assumptions do not get blended into one rough number.
Update this with a current quote. Use the live gold price before making a selling decision.
Currency changes the symbol only; enter the matching spot price for that currency.
Use the actual offer percentage if a buyer provides one.
Add scrap items
How scrap gold value is calculated
A scrap gold calculator starts with the metal value, not collectible value. Broken jewelry, dental gold, damaged chains, and mixed lots are usually valued by weight, purity, and the current gold spot price.
The estimate becomes more useful when you separate gross melt value from the payout a real buyer is offering.
Gold karat purity table
Use stamped karat marks as a starting point, not proof. Wear, solder, mixed parts, plating, and repairs can affect the real metal content.
| Karat | Approximate gold content | Decimal used | Common markings |
|---|---|---|---|
| 24K | 99.9%+ | 0.999 | 999, fine gold |
| 22K | 91.6% | 0.916 | 916, 22K |
| 18K | 75.0% | 0.750 | 750, 18K |
| 14K | About 58.5% | 0.585 | 585, 14K |
| 10K | About 41.7% | 0.417 | 417, 10K |
| 9K | 37.5% | 0.375 | 375, 9K |
Common mistakes before selling scrap gold
Some buyers quote pennyweight instead of grams. Convert units before comparing offers.
A stamp is useful, but testing is still important when value, repairs, plating, or mixed parts are involved.
Ask whether stones, shipping, assay fees, minimum lots, or settlement timing change the final number.
FAQ: Scrap gold calculator
Short answers to common questions about scrap gold value, karat purity, dental gold, and buyer payout rates.
How accurate is a scrap gold calculator?
It is a useful estimate when the weight, spot price, and purity are correct. It does not replace assay testing, XRF testing, or a buyer’s final settlement terms.
How do I calculate 14K scrap gold value?
Use the current gold price per gram, multiply by the item weight, then multiply by about 0.585 for 14K gold. Apply the buyer payout percentage after that.
What is dental gold scrap value?
Dental gold varies widely because crowns and bridges can include gold, platinum-group metals, silver, copper, and other alloys. Use the dental preset only as an estimate until a refiner tests the item.
What is pennyweight gold?
A pennyweight, or dwt, equals about 1.555 grams. It is still used by some jewelry and scrap-gold buyers, so unit conversion matters when comparing offers.
Why will an offer be lower than melt value?
Buyers may deduct for refining, assay, risk, settlement time, shipping, and profit margin. The important comparison is the payout percentage and the full terms, not just the headline price.
Use these tools before you make a gold decision.
Scrap value is only one part of the decision. Purity, weight, price history, and live price context help you check the numbers more carefully.
References for price, purity, and market context.
Use stronger references when a decision depends on benchmark pricing, karat descriptions, or broad gold-market context.
LBMA Precious Metal Prices
Reference context for benchmark gold price data and auction timing.
Open source Jewelry descriptionsFTC Jewelry Guides
U.S. rules and guidance for describing precious metal content and markings.
Open source Market contextWorld Gold Council
Gold market structure, supply, demand, and above-ground stock context.
Open source