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Scrap Gold Calculator

Weigh it, pick the karat, and see the melt value — plus the offer range a fair dealer should land in.

Melt value (100%)
$761.36
Realistic offer (75%)
$571.02
Pure gold content
5.83 g
0.1875 ozt · spot $4,059.80/ozt

Gold spot last verifiedJul 21, 2026

Estimates only — not financial advice.

Quick answer

Multiply the pure-gold content by the spot price: melt value = weight × purity × spot ÷ 31.1035. At today's $4,059.80/ozt spot, a gram of 14k scrap carries about $76.14 of gold — and a fair dealer offer is typically 70–90% of that melt figure.

How this is calculated

Scrap gold is priced on its metal content alone: melt = weight × purity × spot ÷ 31.1035. The karat stamp gives purity (14k = 58.3%), the spot price comes in live, and the payout slider models the dealer's cut — they buy below melt to cover refining, testing and margin.

The single biggest lever isn't the spot price — it's where you sell. Mall kiosks and TV buyers commonly pay 40–60% of melt; local coin shops and online refiners pay 80–95% for clean karat scrap. Know your melt number before anyone makes you an offer, and treat any bid under 70% as a signal to walk.

Frequently asked questions

How much do dealers pay for scrap gold?
Typically 70–90% of melt value for clean karat gold, and less at mall kiosks or 'we buy gold' storefronts — some pay under 60%. Refiners and reputable local coin shops sit at the high end. Getting two or three quotes routinely adds 10%+ to what you walk away with.
What does the karat stamp mean, and what if there isn't one?
The stamp (10k, 14k, 18k…) states gold content in 24ths — 14k is 58.3% gold. Look inside ring bands and on clasp tags. No stamp doesn't mean no gold: a dealer will acid-test or XRF-scan it, but assume they'll quote conservatively. European marks use fineness instead: 585 = 14k, 750 = 18k.
Should I remove stones before selling?
Ask first. Most scrap buyers pay nothing for small stones and simply deduct an estimated stone weight — which they tend to overestimate. Valuable diamonds (roughly 0.5 carat up) are usually worth selling separately; costume stones aren't worth the effort.
Is dental gold or gold plating worth anything?
Dental gold, yes — crowns run 10–22k and refiners buy them (expect an assay). Plating, no: 'gold plated', 'GF' (gold filled), 'HGE' or 'RGP' items carry micrograms of gold, and no shop pays for them at scrap value.
Do I pay tax when I sell scrap gold?
In the US, gains on precious metals are taxable as collectibles (up to 28% federal) if you sell for more than you paid — inherited jewelry uses the value at inheritance as the basis. Most countries tax it similarly as a capital gain. Rules vary; this is not tax advice.

Related guides

How to Sell Scrap Gold Without Getting Ripped OffA step-by-step process: sort by karat, weigh in grams, compute melt value, get two quotes, and the six lowball tactics to watch for.How Gold Melt Value Works (and Why Dealers Pay Less)Melt value is weight × purity × spot ÷ 31.1035 — the one number to know before selling gold. How karats, troy ounces and dealer margins actually work.

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Disclaimer: This tool provides educational estimates only — it is not financial, investment, or tax advice. Crypto assets are volatile; past performance does not guarantee future results. See our methodology and full disclaimer.