Scrap Calculator
Enter your metal's weight and purity to instantly calculate its melt value using live spot prices.
Common Questions
How do I calculate the melt value of scrap gold?
Melt value = weight (in troy ounces) x purity x spot price. Worked at today's gold spot of $4,476.60/ozt: 10 grams of 14K gold (58.5% pure) = (10 g / 31.1035 g per ozt) x 0.585 x $4,476.60 = $841.97. The same formula works for silver, platinum, and palladium, since all four are priced per troy ounce.
What is the difference between melt value and what a refiner pays?
Melt value is the theoretical value of the pure metal content. Refiners typically pay 85-95% of melt value to cover refining costs, assay fees, and profit margin. The Desk's calculator shows both values.
How many grams are in a troy ounce?
One troy ounce equals 31.1035 grams. This is different from a regular (avoirdupois) ounce which is 28.35 grams. Precious metals are always measured in troy ounces.
What purity is 14K gold?
14 karat gold is 58.5% pure gold (14/24 = 0.585). This is the most common gold purity for jewelry in the United States. The remaining 41.5% consists of alloy metals like copper, silver, or zinc.
What is sterling silver purity?
Sterling silver is 92.5% pure silver (0.925). It is marked as "925" or "Sterling." The other 7.5% is usually copper, which adds durability. This is the standard for silver flatware and jewelry.
What is the scrap gold price today?
As of September 2026, gold spot is $4,476.60/ozt. Scrap gold is paid on its pure-gold content, so the karat mark sets the fraction of spot you receive: 14K is 58.5% gold and works out to $84.20 per gram ($130.94 per pennyweight), while 10K is 41.7% and works out to $60.02 per gram. Pure 24K is $143.78 per gram. A refiner pays a percentage of these melt values, not the full amount.
What is scrap silver worth per gram today?
As of September 2026, silver spot is $66.75/ozt, which puts sterling (.925) scrap at $1.99 per gram and coin silver (.900) at $1.93 per gram. Fine .999 silver is $2.14 per gram. Weigh the piece in grams and enter it directly in the calculator above; it converts to troy ounces for you.
What is the melt value of 90% junk silver today?
Pre-1965 US dimes, quarters, and half dollars hold 0.715 troy ounces of fine silver per $1 of face value. At the September 2026 silver spot of $66.75/ozt, $1 of face value is worth $47.72 and a $100 face bag is worth $4,772.48. A Morgan or Peace dollar holds 0.7734 ozt each, or $51.62 per coin.
Standard Fineness
Gold Karats
Silver Standards
Platinum Standards
Palladium Standards
Scrap gold & silver value by purity
Scrap value is the pure-metal content of an item at the current spot price: weight × purity × spot. One troy ounce is 31.1035 grams and 20 pennyweight (dwt), so a gram of 14K gold (58.5% pure) is worth 0.585 × spot ÷ 31.1035. The tables below give the melt value of one gram and one pennyweight at each common purity, at the current gold spot of $4,476.60/ozt and silver spot of $66.75/ozt. A refiner pays a percentage of this melt value; use the calculator above for a specific lot and estimated payout.
Gold scrap value per gram & per dwt
| Karat | Fineness | Per gram | Per dwt |
|---|---|---|---|
| 24K | 99.9% | $143.78 | $223.61 |
| 22K | 91.7% | $131.98 | $205.25 |
| 18K | 75.0% | $107.94 | $167.87 |
| 14K | 58.5% | $84.20 | $130.94 |
| 10K | 41.7% | $60.02 | $93.34 |
| 9K | 37.5% | $53.97 | $83.94 |
Silver scrap value per gram & per dwt
| Standard | Fineness | Per gram | Per dwt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fine | 99.9% | $2.14 | $3.33 |
| Sterling | 92.5% | $1.99 | $3.09 |
| Coin | 90.0% | $1.93 | $3.00 |
| 800 | 80.0% | $1.72 | $2.67 |
Tools that pair with this calculator
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- Digital scales with 0.01 g resolution : Weigh lots to the tolerance the melt math assumes.
- Acid test kits : Confirm karat and purity before pricing a lot.
- Electronic precious-metal testers : Non-destructive verification for higher-value pieces.
- Jeweler's loupes : Read the hallmarks and mint marks before you melt-value them.
Estimates provided for illustrative purposes only. Actual payouts vary by refiner. Consult a licensed precious metals refiner for final settlement values.