If you own gold jewelry, silver, savings, or any combination of wealth, one question decides whether you owe Zakat this year: have you reached the Nisab? The Nisab threshold in 2026 is 87.48 grams of gold or 612.36 grams of silver. If your total Zakatable wealth equals or exceeds this amount and you have held it for one full lunar year, Zakat becomes obligatory at the standard rate of 2.5 percent.
This guide explains exactly how the gold and silver Nisab is calculated, why most scholars recommend using the lower silver threshold, how to convert these gram figures into your local currency, and how to know with certainty whether you owe Zakat this year.
How many grams is Nisab in 2026? The gold Nisab is 87.48 grams (equivalent to 20 gold dinars). The silver Nisab is 612.36 grams (equivalent to 200 silver dirhams). These gram figures are fixed by Islamic tradition and do not change year to year — only their monetary value in local currency changes with gold and silver market prices.
What Is Nisab in Islam?
Nisab is the minimum amount of wealth a Muslim must possess before Zakat becomes obligatory. The word comes from the Arabic root meaning "origin" or "starting point" — it marks the threshold at which a Muslim's wealth becomes subject to the annual Zakat obligation.
If your total Zakatable wealth is below the Nisab, you are not required to pay Zakat. If your wealth equals or exceeds the Nisab and remains at or above that level for one complete lunar year — known as the hawl — you are obligated to pay 2.5 percent of your total Zakatable wealth.
Nisab exists for a clear, compassionate reason. Islam does not require those struggling financially to give Zakat — in fact, they may be eligible to receive it. The Nisab threshold ensures that only Muslims with wealth genuinely beyond their basic needs are obligated to purify a portion of it for those less fortunate.
How Many Grams of Gold Is Nisab in 2026?
The gold Nisab in 2026 is 87.48 grams of pure gold.
This figure comes directly from the hadith tradition. The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ established the gold Nisab at twenty gold dinars. Each dinar contains 4.25 grams of pure gold, and twenty dinars multiplied by 4.25 grams equals 87.48 grams (commonly rounded to 87.48g, sometimes cited historically as approximately 85 grams in older calculations using a slightly different dinar weight standard).
The authoritative modern calculation, used by major Islamic finance institutions and zakat authorities worldwide in 2026, sets the gold Nisab firmly at 87.48 grams, equivalent to roughly 3 troy ounces.
When your gold holdings — whether jewelry, coins, or bullion — reach or exceed 87.48 grams, and you have held this amount for one full lunar year, Zakat becomes due on the gold at the standard rate of 2.5 percent of its current market value.
How Many Grams of Silver Is Nisab in 2026?
The silver Nisab in 2026 is 612.36 grams of pure silver.
This figure is based on the hadith establishing the silver Nisab at 200 silver dirhams. Each dirham contains 2.975 grams of silver, and 200 dirhams multiplied by 2.975 grams equals 612.36 grams (also historically cited as approximately 595 grams in some older texts using a slightly different dirham weight conversion).
This threshold comes from an authentic hadith narrated by Ali ibn Abi Talib, recorded in the collection of Abu Dawud: "If you have two hundred dirhams and one year has passed since you acquired them, then you shall pay Zakat on five dirhams. And you are not obliged to pay any Zakat on gold until you have twenty dinars." The silver Nisab is further supported by a hadith recorded in Bukhari and Muslim that establishes the threshold at five awaq (ounces) of silver, equivalent to 612.36 grams.
When your silver holdings reach or exceed 612.36 grams, and you have held this amount for one full lunar year, Zakat is due at the standard rate of 2.5 percent of its current market value.
Gold Nisab vs Silver Nisab — Which Should You Use?
This is the single most common question people have about Zakat on precious metals, and the answer matters significantly because of how differently gold and silver are valued today.
Gold Nisab (87.48 grams): This is the higher threshold in monetary terms, because gold trades at a significantly higher price per gram than silver. Using the gold Nisab means fewer people reach the obligation threshold, since you need substantially more total wealth before Zakat becomes due.
Silver Nisab (612.36 grams): This is the lower threshold in monetary terms, because silver trades at a much lower price per gram. Using the silver Nisab means more people reach the obligation threshold at a lower total wealth level.
Why Most Scholars Recommend the Silver Nisab:
The majority of contemporary Islamic scholars recommend using the silver Nisab, specifically because it is the more inclusive, lower threshold. This interpretation increases the number of people who become obligated to pay Zakat, which in turn increases the total support available to those in need — directly serving Zakat's core purpose of wealth redistribution and social welfare.
In the Prophet's time, both gold and silver were used as currency, but gold consistently commanded a higher exchange value, just as it does today. Since silver produces a lower monetary Nisab, using it as your standard ensures the widest possible obligation and the greatest benefit to Zakat recipients.
Madhab Differences:
The Hanafi school of thought generally favors the silver Nisab, viewing it as more protective of the poor since it brings more wealth into circulation through Zakat. The Hanbali school, officially followed in Saudi Arabia, traditionally uses the gold Nisab as the standard reference point for assessing personal wealth, though many residents and expatriates following Hanafi fiqh use the silver Nisab regardless of location.
For most individuals, calculating their own Zakat using the silver Nisab (612.36 grams) is the safer and more widely recommended approach, since it ensures you do not underpay your obligation.
How to Calculate the Nisab Value in Your Local Currency
The gram figures themselves — 87.48 grams of gold and 612.36 grams of silver — never change. What changes daily is their value in your local currency, because gold and silver prices fluctuate continuously on global markets.
The calculation is simple:
Nisab Value = Nisab Weight in Grams × Current Market Price Per Gram
For example, if gold is trading at $69 per gram, the gold Nisab value would be: 87.48 grams × $69 = approximately $6,036
If silver is trading at $0.84 per gram, the silver Nisab value would be: 612.36 grams × $0.84 = approximately $514
These numbers shift daily as gold and silver prices move, which is exactly why scholars emphasize using the fixed gram weight as your foundation, then applying the current market rate at the time you calculate your Zakat — rather than relying on a previous year's currency figure, which quickly becomes outdated.
Approximate Nisab Values by Country in 2026
These figures are approximate and based on early-to-mid 2026 market prices. Because gold and silver prices change daily, always calculate your exact Nisab value using current spot prices at the time you are due to pay Zakat.
United States (USD): Gold Nisab: approximately $6,000 to $7,500 Silver Nisab: approximately $500
United Kingdom (GBP): Gold Nisab: approximately £4,500 to £5,500 Silver Nisab: approximately £400 to £500
Saudi Arabia (SAR): Gold Nisab: approximately SAR 50,826 Silver Nisab: approximately SAR 6,743
Australia (AUD): Gold Nisab: approximately AUD $12,038 Silver Nisab: approximately AUD $1,029
These figures will vary depending on the exact day you calculate, since gold and silver spot prices move continuously. For an accurate, currency-specific calculation, use a dedicated Zakat calculator that pulls live precious metal rates — such as the free Pakistan Zakat Deduction Calculator, which helps you calculate your Zakat obligation based on current rates and your specific assets.
Zakat on Gold Jewelry — Does It Count Toward Nisab?
This is one of the most debated areas in Zakat calculation, and the answer depends on which school of Islamic thought you follow.
Hanafi School: All gold and silver jewelry is considered Zakatable, regardless of whether it is regularly worn for personal use. Under this view, even your daily-wear wedding ring or gold bangles count toward your Nisab calculation and are subject to Zakat if your total gold holdings reach 87.48 grams.
Majority Schools (Shafi'i, Maliki, Hanbali): Jewelry regularly worn for personal use is generally considered exempt from Zakat, as it is treated as a personal-use item rather than as stored wealth. However, gold or silver purchased as an investment, stored away, or not regularly worn is still Zakatable across all schools of thought.
This distinction matters significantly for many Muslim women who own gold jewelry as part of a cultural tradition (such as wedding gold), rather than as a financial investment. If you are unsure which interpretation applies to your situation, consulting a knowledgeable local scholar familiar with your specific circumstances is the safest path.
Investment Gold and Silver: Regardless of which school you follow, gold and silver held purely as an investment — bullion, coins, bars, or stored jewelry not worn — is Zakatable under all schools of Islamic law once it reaches the Nisab threshold.
How to Calculate Zakat on Gold and Silver — Step by Step
Step 1 — Weigh Your Gold and Silver
Determine the exact weight of your gold and silver holdings in grams. If you do not have a precise scale, a jeweler can weigh your items accurately and often provide documentation noting the purity (karat) of the gold.
Step 2 — Check the Purity
Gold purity affects the actual pure gold content. 24K gold is considered pure gold. 21K gold is approximately 87.5 percent pure. 18K gold is approximately 75 percent pure. If your jewelry is not 24K, you may need to calculate the pure gold equivalent, or, as a more cautious approach, some scholars allow calculating Zakat on the full weight regardless of karat.
Step 3 — Compare to the Nisab
Compare your total weight (87.48 grams for gold, or 612.36 grams for silver) to determine if you have reached the threshold. If you hold both gold and silver, most scholars recommend combining their values (not their weights) and comparing the combined value to the lower silver Nisab value.
Step 4 — Confirm the Hawl Has Passed
Zakat is only due once your wealth has remained at or above the Nisab for one full lunar (Hijri) year. If your gold holdings only recently reached the Nisab level, you may need to wait until your hawl anniversary date before Zakat becomes due.
Step 5 — Calculate 2.5 Percent
Once you have confirmed you have reached the Nisab and completed your hawl, multiply the total current market value of your Zakatable gold and silver by 2.5 percent (0.025) to determine your Zakat obligation.
Example calculation: If you own 100 grams of gold currently valued at $70 per gram, your total gold value is $7,000. Your Zakat due is $7,000 × 0.025 = $175.
For a complete calculation that includes your gold, silver, cash savings, and other Zakatable assets, the free Zakat calculator handles the entire calculation automatically, helping you avoid manual errors.
Combining Gold, Silver, and Cash for Nisab Calculation
Many people own a mix of assets — some gold jewelry, some cash savings, perhaps some silver. The question becomes: how do you determine if you have reached the Nisab when your wealth is spread across different asset types?
The standard approach used by the majority of scholars is to convert all your Zakatable assets (gold, silver, cash, business inventory, investments) into their monetary value, then compare that combined total against the lower silver Nisab value (since silver produces the more inclusive threshold).
For example, if you have:
- 40 grams of gold worth $2,800
- 200 grams of silver are worth $168
- $2,000 in cash savings
Your total Zakatable wealth is $4,968. If the current silver Nisab value is approximately $514, your total wealth significantly exceeds the Nisab, and Zakat is due on the full $4,968 at 2.5 percent, equaling $124.20.
This combined approach ensures that Muslims with diversified wealth across multiple asset types are assessed fairly and consistently, rather than evaluating each asset type in isolation against its own separate Nisab.
What Happens If Your Wealth Fluctuates Above and Below Nisab?
It is common for wealth — especially gold and silver value, which fluctuates with market prices — to move above and below the Nisab threshold throughout the year.
The general scholarly position is that what matters is your wealth level at the start and end of your hawl (lunar year), not necessarily every fluctuation in between. If your wealth was at or above Nisab at the start of your Zakat year and remains at or above Nisab at the end of your Zakat year (your Zakat anniversary date), Zakat is due on your wealth at that anniversary date — even if it dipped below Nisab briefly during the year.
If your wealth drops below Nisab and stays below Nisab, your hawl is interrupted, and a new hawl begins only once your wealth reaches the Nisab threshold again.
Given the complexity of fluctuating asset values, many Muslims choose a fixed Zakat anniversary date each year (often during Ramadan) and calculate their total Zakatable wealth on that specific date, rather than tracking fluctuations throughout the year.
Zakat on Inherited Gold and Silver
If you inherit gold or silver, a new hawl begins from the date you take possession of the inheritance — not from when your relative originally acquired it. The year your relative passed away is not your Zakat year; your own one-year clock starts fresh from the date the inheritance becomes yours.
However, if you already owned gold or silver above the Nisab threshold before the inheritance, and the inherited amount simply adds to your existing holdings, your existing hawl continues uninterrupted for your original holdings, while the newly inherited portion begins its own separate hawl.
Why Choose Free Calculators for Your Zakat Calculation
Calculating Zakat accurately requires combining multiple moving parts — current gold and silver spot prices, your exact asset weights, your local currency, and your hawl date. Free calculators make this entire process simple and accurate.
The Pakistan Zakat Deduction Calculator is designed to help you calculate your Zakat obligation on gold, silver, cash, and other assets — using current Nisab thresholds and automatically applying the standard 2.5 percent rate.
If you also need to understand your broader tax position alongside your Zakat obligations, Free Calculators offers a complete suite of tools, including the Pakistan Income Tax Calculator, the Pakistan Withholding Tax Calculator, and the Pakistan Property Tax Calculator — all completely free and available .
For readers managing both their Zakat obligations and their annual tax filing, our guide on calculating Zakat on savings, gold, and business assets, and our complete guide on how to become a tax filer in Pakistan, provide additional practical details to help you plan your full financial year with confidence.
Key Takeaways
- The gold Nisab in 2026 is 87.48 grams of pure gold, equivalent to 20 gold dinars
- The silver Nisab in 2026 is 612.36 grams of pure silver, equivalent to 200 silver dirhams
- These gram figures are fixed by Islamic tradition and do not change — only their currency value changes daily with market prices
- Most scholars recommend using the lower silver Nisab, since it is more inclusive and benefits more Zakat recipients
- Zakat is due at 2.5 percent of total Zakatable wealth once the Nisab is reached and held for one full lunar year (hawl)
- Combine gold, silver, and cash into one total value when calculating whether you have reached the Nisab
- Worn jewelry is exempt from Zakat under the majority schools of thought, but Zakatable under the Hanafi school
- Free Calculators at freecalculators.com offers a free Zakat calculator to help you calculate your exact obligation using current rates
Frequently Asked Questions
How many grams of gold is Nisab in 2026?
The gold Nisab in 2026 is 87.48 grams of pure gold, based on the hadith establishing the threshold at 20 gold dinars, with each dinar containing 4.25 grams of gold. This figure is fixed and does not change year to year, though its currency value fluctuates with the gold market.
How many grams of silver is Nisab in 2026?
The silver Nisab in 2026 is 612.36 grams of pure silver, based on the hadith establishing the threshold at 200 silver dirhams, with each dirham containing 2.975 grams of silver. This figure is supported by hadith recorded in both Abu Dawud and the collections of Bukhari and Muslim.
Should I use gold or silver Nisab to calculate my Zakat?
Most contemporary scholars recommend using the silver Nisab (612.36 grams), since it sets a lower monetary threshold and ensures a broader obligation to pay Zakat, thereby benefiting more people in need. This is the safer, more commonly recommended approach for individual Zakat calculation.
Do I have to pay Zakat on the gold jewelry I wear regularly?
This depends on your school of thought. Under the Hanafi school, all gold and silver jewelry is Zakatable regardless of use. Under the majority of schools (Shafi'i, Maliki, Hanbali), jewelry worn regularly for personal use is generally exempt, while jewelry held as an investment or kept stored away remains Zakatable under all schools.
How is the Nisab value calculated in local currency?
Multiply the fixed gram weight (87.48 grams for gold or 612.36 grams for silver) by the current market price per gram in your local currency. Since gold and silver prices change daily, always use the current spot price when calculating your Zakat for the most accurate result.
What happens if my wealth fluctuates above and below Nisab during the year?
What matters most is your wealth level on your Zakat anniversary date (the end of your hawl), not fluctuations throughout the year. If your wealth is at or above Nisab on your anniversary date, Zakat is due on your full Zakatable wealth at that point, even if it temporarily dropped below Nisab earlier in the year.
Conclusion — Calculate Your Zakat with Confidence in 2026
Understanding the Nisab is the essential first step in correctly fulfilling your Zakat obligation. With the gold Nisab fixed at 87.48 grams and the silver Nisab fixed at 612.36 grams, you now have the foundational numbers needed to determine whether your wealth has reached the threshold — and most scholars' guidance to use the more inclusive silver standard when in doubt.
Remember that while these gram figures remain constant, their monetary value shifts daily with gold and silver market prices, so always calculate using current rates rather than relying on last year's figures.
To make this calculation effortless and accurate, use the free Zakat calculator — it factors in current Nisab values automatically, so you can fulfill this important pillar of Islamic practice with complete confidence and accuracy.
Explore the complete suite of free financial calculators for all your Zakat, tax, and financial planning needs in 2026.
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