Gold vs Silver Nisab: Which Should You Use for Zakat?
Zakat only becomes due once your wealth reaches the nisab — but there are two accepted ways to set that threshold, and they don't give the same number. Here's how each is calculated and how to decide between them.
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The nisab is the minimum amount of zakatable wealth you must hold before zakat is due. Classical scholarship defines it two ways: the value of 85 grams of gold, or the value of 595 grams of silver. Both are valid; they simply come from different hadith narrations about gold and silver currency of the time.
Why the two thresholds give different answers
Gold and silver haven't moved in price at the same rate for decades — gold has risen much further relative to silver. That means the silver nisab, converted to today's currency, is usually a noticeably smaller amount than the gold nisab. In practice: someone with modest savings might sit above the silver nisab but below the gold nisab, so the choice directly affects whether zakat is due at all in some cases.
How each is calculated
Gold nisab = 85g × today's price per gram of gold.
Silver nisab = 595g × today's price per gram of silver.
Both figures move daily with the metals market, so there's no fixed dollar or currency amount you can memorize for the year — you (or a calculator) need the current price per gram at the time you're checking.
Which do scholars recommend?
Many contemporary scholars and zakat institutions — including bodies such as the National Zakat Foundation — recommend the silver nisab as the default for cash and mixed wealth, reasoning that its lower threshold brings more people into paying zakat and therefore channels more support to recipients, which aligns with zakat's redistributive purpose. That said, using the gold nisab is not wrong — it is the more traditionally cited figure and some scholars and individuals prefer it, particularly when the wealth in question is gold itself.
Because views differ, treat this as guidance rather than a single ruling: if you follow a specific scholar, teacher, or institution, use whichever nisab they direct you to.
Using this with the calculator
Our Zakat Calculator lets you pick either basis and enter the current price per gram yourself — the tool never assumes or hardcodes a gold or silver price, since both change daily. If you're valuing gold jewelry or bullion specifically, the Zakat on Gold Calculator is a more focused tool for that.
Frequently asked questions
Is the silver nisab always lower than the gold nisab?
In current market conditions, yes — silver's price has fallen far behind gold's over recent decades, so 595g of silver is typically worth much less than 85g of gold. This can change if metal prices shift dramatically.
Can I switch between gold and silver nisab from year to year?
Scholarly views vary on this. Many recommend picking one basis and applying it consistently. If you're unsure, ask a qualified scholar for guidance specific to your situation.
Does the nisab change during the year?
The gram thresholds (85g gold, 595g silver) are fixed, but their currency value moves daily with metal prices — so the nisab in your local currency is not a fixed number year-round.
Guidance tool, not a fatwa
This calculator is a guidance tool based on widely accepted scholarly positions. Zakat rulings can vary by school of thought (madhhab) and personal circumstance — consult a qualified scholar for your situation.
Last reviewed: August 7, 2026