What zakat is
Zakat is one of the Five Pillars of Islam: eligible Muslims give 2.5% of their qualifying wealth each lunar year to those in need. It becomes obligatory when your net zakatable wealth has been at or above the nisab threshold for one full lunar year (hawl, 354 days).
Gold vs silver nisab
There are two standards, both set in the time of the Prophet (peace be upon him): 87.48 grams of gold and 612.36 grams of silver. Because silver is far cheaper than gold today, the silver nisab is much lower (about £905 in the UK on 9 October 2026, versus about £8,913 for gold). Most scholars recommend the silver standard because it includes more people in giving, which benefits more recipients. Enter your local gold and silver price per gram above; the calculator converts both thresholds to your currency.
What counts as zakatable
- Cash on hand, bank balances and savings
- Gold and silver (jewellery, coins, bars). Note: schools differ on personal-use gold jewellery; the Hanafi school includes all of it, while others exempt jewellery in regular personal use. Follow your school or a trusted scholar.
- Investments held for trading (shares at market value, mutual funds, cryptocurrency)
- Business inventory and trade goods at wholesale value
- Money owed to you that is likely to be repaid
Not zakatable: your home, personal car, furniture, clothing and daily necessities; long-term business machinery not held for sale.
Worked examples
Nigeria (naira): Aisha has ₦2,000,000 in savings and owes ₦200,000 due this year. Her net wealth is ₦1,800,000. With silver around ₦2,250 per gram, the silver nisab is about ₦1,378,000, so zakat is due: 2.5% of ₦1,800,000 = ₦45,000.
Pakistan (PKR): Bilal has PKR 800,000 in the bank and gold worth PKR 500,000, with no debts. His net wealth is PKR 1,300,000, above the silver nisab, so his zakat is 2.5% = PKR 32,500.
India (INR): Fatima has ₹300,000 in savings and shares worth ₹200,000. Her net wealth of ₹500,000 exceeds the silver nisab, so her zakat is 2.5% = ₹12,500.
Examples use approximate metal prices; enter current local prices in the calculator.
Limitations
This calculator is informational and follows the common 2.5% method; it cannot replace guidance from a qualified scholar, especially on investments, retirement accounts, business assets and differing school rulings. Metal prices move daily, so verify the current gold and silver price per gram before calculating.