The Gold Price

Gold Investment Calculator

See how many troy ounces of gold, silver, platinum or palladium your budget buys at today's world spot price. Live, no signup, no premium math.

$
Au
Gold

2.42

troy oz

@ $4,131.50/oz

Ag
Silver

164.83

troy oz

@ $60.67/oz

Pt
Platinum

5.92

troy oz

@ $1,688.00/oz

Pd
Palladium

8.46

troy oz

@ $1,182.00/oz

Gold Price Chart

USD/oz

24H 7D 30D 1Y 5Y 10Y 20Y

Gold as a long-term holding

Gold has returned ~8% per year on average since 1971, when the US dollar was unpegged. It tends to underperform stocks in calm bull markets and outperform during inflation, currency crises, and geopolitical shocks. Most allocators treat it as ballast — not a growth bet — sized 5–20% of portfolio.

What you'll actually pay above spot

  • Government bars (PAMP, Royal Mint): 3–5% over spot
  • Sovereign coins (American Eagle, Maple Leaf, Krugerrand): 4–8% over spot
  • Generic rounds / private mint: 2–4% over spot
  • Domestic-brand bars (SJC, IBJA, Gulf News): market premium, varies country-to-country
  • Jewellery: 15–60%+ over spot (making charges)

Frequently asked questions

How much gold should I own as part of my portfolio?

Common allocations: 5–10% (conservative diversifier), 10–20% (inflation hedge), 20–30% (heavy hedge, e.g. during currency crisis). Ray Dalio's All Weather model puts ~7.5% in gold. No single answer — depends on your other holdings and inflation expectations.

Is it better to buy physical gold or a gold ETF?

Physical: you own the metal, no counterparty risk, storage cost. ETFs (GLD, IAU): liquid, no storage hassle, but you don't hold the actual gold and pay a small annual expense ratio. Beginners often start with ETFs; serious holders add physical over time.

What's the difference between troy ounce and regular ounce?

Troy ounce = 31.1035 g — used for precious metals. Avoirdupois ounce = 28.35 g — used for groceries. The difference is ~10%, large enough to matter on big purchases. Always confirm 'troy' when buying gold.

Does this calculator include dealer premiums?

No — it shows raw quantity at world spot price. Real-world purchases add 3–8% dealer premium on bullion bars/coins, 15–25% on jewellery. Use this to plan budget allocation; check your dealer's quote for the final number.