Zakat Nisab 2027: Gold, Silver and How to Calculate
The zakat nisab is 87.48 g of gold or 612.36 g of silver. See how to work out today's value, which standard to use, and when zakat is due.
By Embrace Relief Team · Updated October 29, 2026
The useful part before the long read.
Nisab = 87.48 g of gold (about 2.81 troy ounces) or 612.36 g of silver (about 19.69 troy ounces).
The dollar value changes with the market. Multiply the grams by the current price per gram.
Many scholars recommend the silver nisab because it is lower and includes more people in need as recipients; others use gold. Ask a scholar you trust.
Once your wealth has been above the nisab for a full lunar year (about 354 days), zakat is due at 2.5%.
The nisab is the minimum amount of wealth a Muslim must hold before zakat becomes due. It is set by the value of 87.48 grams of gold or 612.36 grams of silver. If your net zakatable wealth stays at or above that value for one full lunar year, you owe zakat, generally 2.5% of that wealth. Because gold and silver prices change every day, the dollar value of the nisab changes too, so you need to check it on the day you calculate your zakat.
What is the zakat nisab?
The nisab is the threshold of wealth that makes zakat obligatory. Wealth below the nisab is not zakatable; wealth at or above it, held for a lunar year, is. The nisab is defined by precious metals, which were the basis of money when the rules were first set down, and it is still measured in them today.
The nisab in grams and ounces
| Standard | Grams | Troy ounces | Other common unit |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gold nisab | 87.48 g | about 2.81 oz | 7.5 tola |
| Silver nisab | 612.36 g | about 19.69 oz | 52.5 tola |
Some institutions use rounded figures, such as 85 grams of gold and 595 grams of silver. If you follow a specific scholar or institution, use their figure.
How to work out today's zakat nisab in dollars
- 1Look up today's price per gram of gold or silver (a live gold or silver spot price from a trusted source, or a zakat organization that updates its nisab daily).
- 2Multiply the grams by the price: gold = 87.48 × price per gram; silver = 612.36 × price per gram.
- 3Compare your net zakatable wealth with the result.
For example only: if silver were $3 per gram, the silver nisab would be 612.36 × $3 = $1,837.08. This is an illustration of the arithmetic, not today's price.
Gold or silver: which should you use?
The gold and silver values have drifted far apart, so the two standards now give very different thresholds. Many contemporary scholars and institutions recommend the silver nisab, because it is lower and so protects the rights of the poor. Others use the gold value, or the lower of the two. There is a difference of opinion, and the right choice depends on your school and scholar. If you are unsure which applies to you, please ask a scholar.
What counts toward the nisab?
- Cash in bank accounts and at home
- Gold and silver
- Investments, such as stocks and retirement accounts
- Business inventory and goods for sale
- Money owed to you that you expect to receive
Immediate debts are subtracted. See What Is Zakat? for the full picture and zakat on stocks, 401(k) and IRAs for investments.
The lunar year (hawl)
Your zakat year, the hawl, begins on the day your wealth first reaches the nisab. It is a lunar year of roughly 354 days. When it is complete, you calculate 2.5% of your net zakatable wealth on that date. Many people choose a fixed date each year, such as the first day of Ramadan, to keep it simple. See When Should I Pay Zakat?
Ready to calculate?
Enter your assets and immediate debts into our Zakat calculator to estimate 2.5% of your net zakatable wealth. For complex assets, confirm the result with a qualified scholar.
This article is general information, not religious or tax advice. Please consult a qualified scholar about your zakat.
Frequently asked questions
What is the nisab for zakat?
The nisab is the value of 87.48 grams of gold or 612.36 grams of silver. If your net zakatable wealth stays at or above it for a lunar year, zakat is due.
How much is the nisab in dollars?
It depends on today's gold or silver price. Multiply 87.48 by the price per gram of gold, or 612.36 by the price per gram of silver.
Should I use the gold or silver nisab?
Scholars differ. Many recommend the silver nisab because it is lower and benefits more people in need. Ask a scholar you trust.
How much zakat do I pay?
Generally 2.5% of your net zakatable wealth once it has been above the nisab for a full lunar year.
What if my wealth is just below the nisab?
If your net zakatable wealth is below the nisab, zakat is not due. You can still give sadaqah at any time.