How Gold Pricing Works in Pakistan
Gold in Pakistan is priced and traded primarily by tola, a unit of weight that equals 11.6638 grams. The Sarafa (jewellers) market in major cities including Karachi, Lahore, Peshawar and Islamabad sets daily gold rates based on international gold prices quoted in US dollars per troy ounce, combined with the prevailing PKR/USD exchange rate.
The All Pakistan Sarafa Gems and Jewellers Association announces official daily gold rates, which are widely reported in newspapers and financial apps. These rates are quoted for 24K (pure) gold, from which prices for other purities (22K, 21K, 18K) are derived by applying the purity percentage.
Gold jewellery in Pakistan is predominantly sold in 22K purity (91.67% gold content), which offers a balance of durability and gold content suitable for intricate jewellery designs. Investment-grade gold bars and coins are typically 24K. Understanding purity percentages helps you calculate the actual gold content — and true value — of any piece you are buying or selling.
When buying gold jewellery, the total price includes the gold value (based on weight × purity × current rate) plus making charges (labour fee), which typically range from 8% to 20% of gold value depending on design complexity. Our calculator gives you the pure gold metal value to help you verify whether the base price is fair before adding making charges.
Gold Weight Conversion Formula
Worked Example
You have 3 tola of 22K gold. Today's 24K rate is PKR 2,70,000 per tola.
Gold Purity Guide
| Karat | Purity % | Gold Content | Common Use in Pakistan |
|---|---|---|---|
| 24K | 99.9% | 24 parts gold | Investment bars, coins |
| 22K | 91.67% | 22 parts gold, 2 other metals | Jewellery (most common) |
| 21K | 87.5% | 21 parts gold, 3 other metals | Jewellery (Gulf standard) |
| 18K | 75% | 18 parts gold, 6 other metals | Modern / designer jewellery |
Gold Weight Conversion Table
| Tola | Grams | Troy Ounces |
|---|---|---|
| 1 tola | 11.6638 g | 0.375 oz |
| 5 tola | 58.319 g | 1.875 oz |
| 10 tola | 116.638 g | 3.75 oz |
| 1 troy ounce | 31.1035 g | 2.667 tola |
| 100 grams | 100 g | 8.573 tola |
How To Use This Gold Price Calculator
- Enter today's gold rate per tola (PKR). Check the current rate on Pakistan's Sarafa Association announcements, your local jeweller, or financial news sites.
- Select the gold purity — 24K for pure gold bars or coins, 22K for most Pakistani gold jewellery, 21K for Gulf-style jewellery, or 18K for modern designer pieces.
- Choose your weight unit — tola (most common in Pakistan), gram, or troy ounce.
- Enter the weight of your gold.
- Enter the current USD to PKR exchange rate (pre-filled with an approximate rate — update it for accuracy).
- Click Calculate Gold Value to see the value in both PKR and USD instantly.
Frequently Asked Questions
One tola equals exactly 11.6638 grams. This unit originated from the Indian subcontinent and remains the primary gold weight unit in Pakistan, India, Bangladesh and Nepal. When buying gold in Pakistani jewellery markets (Sarafa), prices are almost always quoted per tola.
Divide the price per tola by 11.6638 to get the price per gram. For example, if 24K gold is PKR 2,70,000 per tola, then the price per gram = 2,70,000 ÷ 11.6638 = PKR 23,145 per gram. For 22K gold, multiply the 24K gram price by 0.9167.
24K gold is 99.9% pure gold — the highest purity available. It is too soft for most jewellery and is mainly used for investment bars and coins. 22K gold is 91.67% gold (22 parts gold + 2 parts other metals like silver or copper), making it harder and suitable for jewellery. Most traditional Pakistani gold jewellery is 22K.
Pakistan's gold prices are directly linked to international gold prices quoted in US dollars per troy ounce on global commodity markets (COMEX, London Bullion Market). Since Pakistan imports gold and transacts in PKR, any change in either the international gold price or the USD/PKR exchange rate results in a change in the local gold price. Political stability, global inflation, and Federal Reserve interest rate decisions are major international price drivers.
Check today's official gold rate from the Sarafa Gems and Jewellers Association announcement (widely published in Pakistani newspapers). Use our calculator to find the metal value of your gold based on its weight and purity. The jeweller's quoted gold price (before making charges) should be close to this figure. Making charges are typically 8–20% extra and should be disclosed separately.