Everyday Calculators
Scrap Gold Calculator
Estimate spot value, melt value, and likely payout after fees.
Enter the values and review the result.
Enter the total weight of the item you want to value.
Karat determines the pure-gold share used in the calculation.
Enter the spot price basis you want to use for the valuation.
Typical scrap offers are below spot to cover refining, handling, and dealer margin.
Enter your values and press Calculate.
Results and breakdowns will appear here after a valid calculation.
Calculation assumptions
- *Uses 31.1034768 grams per troy ounce for the price conversion basis.
- *The calculator does not fetch live gold prices; use the spot price basis you want to compare.
- *Melt value is shown separately for clarity, but in this calculator it matches spot value before fees.
- *Estimated payout is an offer estimate after dealer/refining deduction, not a guaranteed quote.
- *Dealer payouts can differ because of refining fees, assay results, minimum lots, market spread, taxes, shipping, and buyer policy.
How this scrap gold estimate works
The calculator first converts your item into pure-gold content using the selected karat. It then values that pure gold using your entered spot price per troy ounce. Finally, it applies a dealer or refining deduction so you can estimate a more realistic payout rather than only seeing melt value.
Example: 10 g of 14K scrap gold contains about 5.83 g of pure gold. At an entered spot price of $2,300 per troy ounce, the spot value is about $431.19. With a 15% fee, the estimated payout is about $366.51.
Why payout is lower than spot value
Buyers rarely pay full spot for scrap jewelry. They need room for refining loss, testing, handling, and profit. That is why payout can change materially when the dealer fee moves from 0% to 15% or 30%, even when the gold content stays the same.
Assumptions and common mistakes
This is not an appraisal or guaranteed buyer quote. It is a melt-value and payout estimate based on the weight, karat, spot price, and fee you enter.
- Do not assume scrap payout equals full spot value.
- Remove or account for stones, steel, clasps, and non-gold parts when possible.
- Check whether the buyer uses grams, pennyweight, or troy ounces.
- Remember that assay results, refining loss, minimum lots, taxes, shipping, and buyer policy can change offers.
Quick answers
What this calculator answers
- Result: Estimate spot value, melt value, dealer deduction, and possible payout from weight and karat.
- Method: The estimate converts karat to pure gold content, then applies your entered spot price and fee.
- Related guide: Review how melt value and likely payout can differ before comparing buyer offers. scrap gold vs melt value guide
Transparency note
Accuracy and limitations
Calzivo tools are built for practical estimates, conversions, and checks. Some tools use standard formulas or simplified assumptions, and results can be affected by input accuracy, rounding, units, local rules, or changing official requirements.
Results depend on the values you enter and any simplified assumptions used by the tool. Verify important results before making decisions or submitting official information.
How to Use This Tool
Use these steps to enter the right inputs and interpret the result correctly.
Enter the gold item weight and select the weight unit.
Choose the karat so the calculator can apply the correct purity percentage.
Enter the gold spot price basis you want to use per troy ounce.
Adjust the dealer / refining fee to estimate a realistic payout.
Review spot value, melt value, and estimated payout together before making a selling decision.
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Related Guides
Background reading and explanations related to Scrap Gold Calculator.
Gold Calculator Guide: How to Estimate Gold Value by Weight and Purity
Learn how to estimate gold value by weight, purity, karat, troy ounces, spot price, melt value, and scrap gold payout.
Scrap Gold Calculator Guide: How Melt Value Is Estimated
Learn how a scrap gold calculator estimates melt value using weight, karat, purity, spot price, units, and buyer payout.
How to Use a Scrap Gold Calculator Before You Sell Jewelry
Learn how to use a scrap gold calculator before selling jewelry to estimate melt value, sort karats, weigh gold, and compare buyer offers.
Scrap Gold Calculator Formula: Weight, Purity, and Spot Price
Learn the scrap gold calculator formula using weight, purity, spot price, pure gold content, units, and buyer payout.
Scrap Gold Calculator Examples for Rings, Chains, and Mixed Lots
See scrap gold calculator examples for rings, chains, mixed karat lots, melt value, grams, pennyweights, and buyer payout.
Scrap Gold Calculator Mistakes Buyers and Sellers Should Avoid
Avoid scrap gold calculator mistakes with weight, karat, purity, grams, pennyweights, troy ounces, spot price, and buyer payout.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Scrap Gold Calculator and how to read the result.
Will I get this exact payout?
No. This is an estimate based on spot value, purity, and the fee deduction you choose. Actual offers can vary by buyer, assay method, and local market conditions.
Why are spot value and melt value the same here?
In this calculator, melt value is the raw value of the pure gold content at the entered spot price. It is separated in the UI because many sellers think in terms of melt value before dealer deductions.
Does this use live gold prices?
No. Enter the spot price basis you want to use. The calculator does not fetch live market prices.
What is melt value?
Melt value is the estimated raw value of the pure gold content before buyer deductions or fees.
Why is payout below melt value?
Buyers may deduct refining costs, assay risk, handling, market spread, profit margin, taxes, shipping, or minimum-lot costs.
Is this a guaranteed dealer offer?
No. It is an estimate based on your inputs and should not be treated as a quote, appraisal, or resale guarantee.
Which weight unit should I use?
Use the unit shown on your scale or buyer paperwork. Gold buyers commonly use grams, pennyweight, or troy ounces.