About the Zakat Calculator
Zakat is the annual obligatory charity in Islam, paid at 2.5% on qualifying wealth that has been held for one lunar year (hawl) and is at or above the nisab threshold. This zakat calculator adds up your zakatable assets — cash and bank balances, gold and silver, shares and funds, business stock and money owed to you — subtracts debts that are due now, and tells you whether you meet the nisab and how much zakat to pay.
Gold is entered by weight and karat, so 22-karat jewellery is converted to its pure-gold value automatically. You can choose the nisab basis: the silver standard (595 g of silver) gives a lower threshold, so more people pay and more reaches those in need, while the gold standard (85 g of gold) is the higher threshold some scholars prefer for modern cash wealth. Both weights are editable if you follow a different ruling such as 87.48 g and 612.36 g.
Enter today’s gold and silver prices per gram in your own currency. Scholars differ on details such as personal-use jewellery, retirement accounts and long-term shareholdings, so use the result as a guide and check points of doubt with a scholar or your local zakat organisation.
With the default inputs, the zakat due is $962.50. Change any value above to recalculate instantly.
How to use the zakat calculator
- 1Pick your zakat date and total your cash and bank balances on that day.
- 2Enter the weight and karat of your gold, and any silver, with today’s price per gram.
- 3Add investments at market value, business stock and money owed to you.
- 4Subtract debts and bills that are due now.
- 5Choose the silver or gold nisab basis and read the zakat due.
Formula and method
Zakatable assets are cash, the value of gold and silver, investments at market value, business trade goods and receivables you expect to collect. Gold value = grams × (karat ÷ 24) × the 24-karat price per gram, so only the pure gold content is counted. Debts that are due now are deducted to give net zakatable wealth.
The nisab is the minimum wealth on which zakat is due: 595 g of silver × the silver price, or 85 g of gold × the gold price, depending on the basis you choose. If net wealth is at or above the nisab and has been held for a full lunar year, zakat is 2.5% (one-fortieth) of the whole net amount, not just the part above the nisab.
- Assets
- Cash + gold + silver + investments + business stock + receivables
- Debts due
- Liabilities payable now
- Nisab
- Threshold: 85 g gold or 595 g silver at today’s price
- 2.5%
- Zakat rate on wealth (1/40)
Worked examples
Savings, 22k jewellery and a share portfolio
50 g of 22-karat gold contains 45.83 g of pure gold, worth $5,500 at $120/g. Adding $15,000 cash and $20,000 of investments gives $40,500; less $2,000 of debts due leaves $38,500. That is above the silver nisab of $892.50 (595 g × $1.50), so zakat is 2.5% × $38,500 = $962.50.
$3,000 savings — silver vs gold nisab
On the gold standard the nisab is 85 g × $120 = $10,200, so $3,000 of savings is below it and no zakat is due. On the silver standard the nisab is only $892.50, and the same savings would owe $75.
Small business owner on the gold standard
100 g of 18-karat gold is worth $8,625 and 500 g of silver $700. With cash, investments, stock and receivables, assets total $57,325; minus $6,000 of debts due gives $51,325. That exceeds the gold nisab of $9,775 (85 g × $115), so zakat due is $1,283.13.
Frequently asked questions
How is zakat calculated?+
Add up your zakatable assets (cash, gold, silver, investments, business stock and receivables), subtract debts due now, and if the result is at or above the nisab and has been held for one lunar year, pay 2.5% of the total.
What is the nisab for zakat?+
The nisab is the minimum amount of wealth on which zakat becomes due. It is traditionally the value of 85 grams of gold or 595 grams of silver (some use 87.48 g and 612.36 g). Its money value changes with metal prices.
Should I use the gold or silver nisab?+
Many scholars and zakat bodies recommend the silver nisab for cash and mixed assets because it is lower and benefits more people in need. Others use gold for modern currency. If unsure, follow your local scholar or zakat organisation.
Is zakat due on gold jewellery I wear?+
Scholars differ. The Hanafi school holds that zakat is due on all gold and silver including worn jewellery, while many Shafi’i, Maliki and Hanbali scholars exempt jewellery for normal personal use. To be cautious, many people include it.
Do I pay zakat on my home, car or retirement account?+
No zakat is due on your own home, car or personal belongings. For pensions and retirement accounts views differ: some pay on the accessible balance after penalties and tax, others only once funds become accessible.
How is zakat on shares calculated?+
Shares held for trading are usually zakatable at full market value. For long-term holdings some scholars allow zakat only on the company’s zakatable assets per share (its cash, receivables and inventory), which is usually well below the share price.
Results are estimates for educational purposes and are not financial advice. Rates, fees and terms vary — confirm with your lender or a licensed advisor before making decisions.