Zakat on 22k Gold: Why Purity Matters
Your bangles say 22k and you wonder — do you pay on the full weight? You only pay on the pure gold inside.
22k gold is 91.6% pure, while 24k is close to 100% pure. It is called 916 fineness because it is 916 parts per 1000 pure gold. It is the most common purity for Indian jewellery because it is more durable than 24k.
The karat tells you the proportion. 24k is essentially pure, 22k is about 91.6% gold, 18k is 75%. The karat changes what your gold is worth; it does not change whether zakat applies.
NisΔb (the minimum threshold) is based on pure gold. αΈ€awl (one lunar year) is the year you must hold it before zakat is due.
For more on when worn jewellery counts, see Is Gold Jewellery Zakatable Hanafi? Yes — All Gold Counts Even When Worn.
How Much 22k Gold Reaches Nisab?
Most scholars hold nisab is 85 grams of pure (24k) gold. Some sources cite 87.48 grams of gold (Twenty Mithqals) which is 7.5 tola. For silver, the two common figures are 595 grams and 612.36 grams.
Because 22k is not pure, you need more than 85g of it to reach nisab. What matters is the pure content, not the total weight. For example, 80 grams of 22k is only 73.3g pure — below the 85g nisab, so no zakat is due on gold alone.
Learn how to track your year in Hawl Calculation Examples: How to Find Your Zakat Anniversary.
| Number | Meaning | Sources |
|---|---|---|
| 2.5% | Zakat rate per lunar year = 1/40 | Musaffa Academy, Jakhura Jewellers, IslamQA Gold Jewellery |
| 1 lunar year = hawl | Holding period required | Musaffa Academy, OnlineCalculator.ae UAE |
| 85 g pure gold | Gold nisab most common = 20 mithqal | Musaffa Academy, OnlineCalculator.ae UAE, AAOIFI/OIC |
| 87.48 g gold | Gold nisab variant 7.5 tola used by some orgs | IslamQA Gold Jewellery, Ahmadiyya.fi |
| 595 g silver | Silver nisab 200 dirhams most common | Musaffa Academy |
| 612.36 g silver | Silver nisab variant used by some orgs | Ahmadiyya.fi |
| 22/24 = 91.6% to 91.67% | 22k purity | Musaffa Academy, CNBC TV18, Testbook 916, Mitrade |
| 92.7g - 92.79g 22k = 85g pure | Weight of 22k needed to reach pure nisab | Mitrade 92.73g, Maktabah Morba 92.79g, OnlineCalculator.ae 92.7g |
| 113.33g 18k = 85g pure | 18k threshold for comparison | Mitrade, OnlineCalculator.ae, Maktabah Morba |
| 24K 100% | Pure gold | Musaffa Academy, Mitrade |
| 99.9% | 24k often quoted as 99.9% not 100% | GoldPricePK, CNBC TV18 |
How to Calculate Zakat on 22k Gold Jewellery
Use the current market value on your zakat due date, not what you paid. There are two methods that give the same result when the market is efficient.
Method 1: Convert to pure weight, then use 24k price
- Pure weight = total weight × (22/24)
- Example: 120 grams of 22k × 22/24 = 110 grams of pure gold
Method 2: Use the 22k price per gram directly
- Get the carat rating and find the value of that carat on your due date.
- UAE example: 22k price is about AED 513 per gram. 120g × 513 = AED 61,560 total value. Zakat: 61,560 × 0.025 = AED 1,539
- Example: 100 grams of 22k × 0.916 = 91.6 grams pure. At $60 per gram pure, value is $5,496. Zakat is $5,496 × 0.025 = $137.40
- Example: 120 grams of 22k at $65 per gram = $7,800. Under Hanafi, zakat of 2.5% applies: $195 due annually
Steps many scholars describe:
- Determine the weight of the gold. If it is not pure, make a proportionate adjustment
- Find out the current price of gold for that carat
- Calculate the price of the gold you have
- Pay 2.5% of the market value
Do not average mixed carats as 22k. Do each carat independently — 21 carat, 22 carat, 24 carat etc. Estimate the actual gold weight for each.
Gold jewellery that is zakatable includes 24, 22, 18 and 14 carat. Diamonds and gem stones not for resale are non-zakatable.
What About Making Charges, Diamonds and Different Carats?
- Making charges: Zakat is based on gold weight value, not purchase price. Making charges do not reduce your zakat.
- Diamonds and gemstones: Diamonds, pearls and rubies are exempt unless you hold them as trade inventory. For a personal gold ring with diamonds, you calculate on gold weight only.
- For trade: If the jewellery is a commodity put up for sale, some scholars hold you count the full value including gold and diamond.
- Mixed holdings: Most jewellery in Pakistan and India is 22k, not 24k pure. The calculation adjusts for purity — you pay on pure gold value, not alloyed weight.
Which School Holds What?
Scholars differ on worn jewellery. The Hanafi school holds zakat is due on all gold, including jewellery worn regularly. The majority of Maliki, Shafi’i and Hanbali scholars hold gold jewellery in regular personal use in customary amounts is generally exempt, while gold held for investment or savings is not.
This affects 22k the same way as other gold — purity does not change the school difference.
| Question | Position A (who) | Position B (who) | Practical effect |
|---|---|---|---|
| Is worn 22k jewellery zakatable? | Yes, all gold zakatable even if worn - Hanafi position, zakat due on all gold including jewellery worn regularly [Musaffa Academy Hanafi Position + OnlineCalculator.ae UAE Hanafi school] | No, personal-use jewellery in customary amounts exempt - Maliki, Shafi’i, Hanbali majority: gold jewellery in regular personal use generally exempt [Musaffa Academy Maliki/Shafi’i/Hanbali + OnlineCalculator.ae UAE Shafi’i/Hanbali] | Hanafi woman with 120g 22k worn pays 2.5% ($195 at $65/g example); other schools 0 if customary |
| Is nisab based on pure gold or carat weight? | Nisab is 85g pure (24k) gold; 22k must be converted - 92.7g 22k needed to reach 85g pure [OnlineCalculator.ae UAE + Mitrade + Maktabah Morba] | Some texts state nisab 87.48g gold (Twenty Mithqals) irrespective of carat discussion [IslamQA Zakat on Gold Jewellery 87.48g] | 80g 22k: pure equivalent 73.3g - below 85g pure, no zakat under pure method |
| How to value 22k for zakat? | Method 1: Convert to pure weight then × 24k price (120g ×22/24=110g pure) [OnlineCalculator.ae UAE + Vocal Media 100g×0.916=91.6g] | Method 2: Use 22k market price per gram directly (120g × 513 AED/g 22k = 61,560 AED) [OnlineCalculator.ae UAE + IslamQA Get carat rating] | Both should reflect true gold value |
| Is making charges / workmanship included? | Zakat based on gold weight value, not purchase price; making charges do not reduce [OnlineCalculator.ae UAE] | For commodity put up for sale, count full value i.e. gold and diamond [IslamQA Jewelry Gold Value or Full Value] | Personal jewellery: exclude making charges and diamond value; trade inventory: include full sale value |
- 22k gold is 91.6% pure (916), most common for jewellery; always convert to pure weight: weight × 22/24.
- Nisab is 85g pure gold (some cite 87.48g); for 22k you need about 92.7-92.79g to reach 85g pure.
- Two valid valuation methods: pure weight × 24k price, or total weight × 22k price — both should match.
- Pay 2.5% after one lunar year; do each carat separately, do not average as 22k.
- Making charges and diamonds are excluded for personal jewellery; only gold content counts unless for trade.
Hanafi holds zakat is due on all gold including jewellery worn regularly, even 22k. Majority of Maliki, Shafi’i and Hanbali hold regularly worn jewellery in customary amounts is generally exempt, while investment gold remains zakatable. Some texts use 87.48g (Twenty Mithqals) as nisab, while most use 85g pure, which changes the 22k equivalent to about 92.7g. Practical effect: a Hanafi owner of 120g 22k worn pays about 2.5% annually; other schools may pay 0 if customary and quantity is reasonable. For differences, follow a scholar you trust.
Frequently asked questions
22k = 22/24 = 91.6% pure (916 fineness), most common for jewellery, more durable than 24k. [Musaffa Academy + CNBC TV18 + Testbook 916]
In Hanafi, yes all gold including worn regularly is zakatable; in Shafi’i/Hanbali/Maliki regularly worn customary amount is generally exempt. [OnlineCalculator.ae UAE + Musaffa Academy]
Convert to pure: weight × 22/24 = pure grams, or use 22k price per gram × total weight, then 2.5%. Do each carat independently. [OnlineCalculator.ae UAE + IslamQA Different Carats]
85g pure = 92.7-92.79g of 22k. If less than that pure equivalent, no zakat on gold alone. [Mitrade 92.73g + Maktabah Morba 92.79g + OnlineCalculator.ae 92.7g]
Yes, zakat is due but value differs; karat changes what gold is worth, does not change whether zakat applies. [Musaffa Academy]
No, zakat is based on gold weight value, making charges do not reduce, diamonds/gems exempt unless for trading. [OnlineCalculator.ae + Darulifta.org.nz]
- IslamQA Zakat on Gold of Different Carats — Method: market value at due date, estimate actual gold weight, do each carat independently not average 22 carat
- Musaffa Academy Complete Guide to Zakat On Gold and Worn Jewellery — 22k 91.6% vs 24k close to 100%, karat affects value not obligation, 120g 22k example $7800 zakat $195 Hanafi, nisab 85g gold 595g silver, hawl, diamonds exempt
- IslamQA Zakat on Gold Jewellery — 87.48g (Twenty Mithqals) at 2.5%
- NZF UK Do you pay Zakat on metals — Any quantity gold/silver determined and valued added to other assets, no zakat platinum palladium unless trading
- OnlineCalculator.ae How to Calculate Zakat on Gold in UAE 2026 Guide — 120g 22k ×22/24=110g pure, nisab 85g, 22k price AED 513/g total 61,560 zakat 1,539 AED, comparison table 24k 85g, 22k 92.7g, 21k 97.1g, 18k 113.3g, Hanafi all gold including worn, Shafi’i/Hanbali/Maliki exempt regular use
- Mitrade Zakat on Gold Complete Guide — Lower karat must adjust to pure equivalent, table 24K 100% 85.00g, 22K 91.67% 92.73g, 21K 87.5% 97.14g, 18K 75% 113.33g
- Zakat Calculator Maktabah Morba — How to calculate on 22K: weight × current 22K rate (24K×0.916), table 22K 91.6% 92.79g = 85g pure
- Alukah.net How to Calculate Zakat of Gold of Different Carats — Nisab 85g if 24 carat
- Amanah Budget Zakat on Gold — Only pure gold counts, 22k about 91.6% gold, 18k 75%
- Vocal Media How to Calculate Zakat on Gold — Example adjusting purity 100g 22K ×0.916=91.6g pure ×60 USD/g = 5496 USD ×0.025=137.40 USD
- IslamQA How to Calculate Zakat on Gold - Mufti Ebrahim Salejee — Get carat rating and find value of that carat
- Dev.to How Daily Gold Karat Prices Are Tracked — Karat purity ratio out of 24, 22K=22/24=91.6% of 24K price
- CNBC TV18 How pure is your gold — 22Kt Gold (916 fineness) Contains 91.6% gold most common purity Indian jewellery
- Testbook Solved fineness 916 — 916 = 91.6% purity = 22 Carat
- Darulifta.org.nz ZAKAAT CALCULATION TABLE — GOLD JEWELLERY ZAKATABLE 24,22,18,14 CARAT ZAKATABLE, DIAMONDS NON-ZAKATABLE
- GoldPricePK Zakat on 22K — Most jewellery in Pakistan is 22K not 24K pure, adjusts for purity pure gold value
⚠️ Educational content only — not a fatwa. Rulings differ by school of thought and personal situation; please confirm with a qualified scholar.
