Zakat Calculator
Enter your assets and liabilities to calculate exactly how much Zakat you owe. The calculator covers cash, gold, silver, investments, business assets, receivables, and all deductible debts. Choose gold or silver nisab, pick your currency, and see whether your net wealth meets the threshold. Results update instantly as you type, and the step-by-step panel shows the full working.
What is Zakat?
Zakat is the third Pillar of Islam and one of the most important acts of worship in the faith. It is an annual obligatory alms-giving, set at 2.5% of net zakatable wealth, payable by every Muslim whose wealth has exceeded the nisab threshold for at least one complete lunar year (the hawl). The word Zakat means "purification" in Arabic: paying it is believed to purify the remaining wealth and fulfill a duty of economic justice within the Muslim community. Unlike voluntary charity (Sadaqah), Zakat is a precise, mandatory obligation with defined categories of eligible recipients set out in the Quran.
How is Zakat calculated?
Zakat is 2.5% of your net zakatable wealth. To arrive at that figure: (1) add up all zakatable assets - cash, bank balances, gold, silver, stocks, business inventory, receivables, and investment income; (2) subtract all deductible liabilities - debts you owe, immediate bills due now, and wages owed to employees; (3) compare the result against the nisab; (4) if your net wealth meets or exceeds the nisab, multiply by 0.025. The nisab is based either on the value of 85 grams of gold or 595 grams of silver. Because silver is cheaper, the silver nisab gives a lower threshold and is the majority scholarly opinion for most modern asset types. The gold nisab gives a higher threshold, meaning fewer people would qualify.
Which assets are zakatable?
Zakatable assets are those held for investment or trade, not for personal use. Cash and bank deposits are always zakatable. Gold and silver are zakatable whether held as jewellery or bullion, though some scholars exempt gold jewellery used personally (not for trade). Stocks and shares are zakatable at market value. Business inventory held for sale is zakatable, but fixed business assets like machinery and buildings are not. Loans you have given to others and expect to be repaid are zakatable. Retirement and pension funds are zakatable on the accessible (withdrawable) value. Personal possessions - your home, car, furniture, and clothing - are not zakatable.
The hawl: the one-year rule
Zakat is only obligatory once your net wealth has remained above the nisab for a full Islamic lunar year (hawl), approximately 354 days. You mark your hawl date when your wealth first crosses the nisab. On the anniversary, you recalculate and pay based on whatever your wealth is on that date, even if it fluctuated during the year. If your wealth dropped below the nisab at any point during the year, the hawl clock resets. Many Muslims find it easiest to set their hawl date at the start of Ramadan.
Zakat nisab thresholds
| Standard | Weight | Approx. USD (mid-2026) | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Silver (majority opinion) | 595 g | $595 - $700 | Lower threshold, most inclusive |
| Gold | 85 g | $8,000 - $9,000 | Higher threshold |
The nisab is the minimum net wealth required for Zakat to become obligatory. Values vary with precious metal spot prices; the approximate USD figures below are based on mid-2026 prices.
Frequently asked questions
What is the nisab and which standard should I use?
The nisab is the minimum amount of wealth you must hold for Zakat to become obligatory. It is equivalent to either 85 grams of gold or 595 grams of silver. Because silver is less expensive than gold, the silver nisab gives a much lower threshold (roughly one-tenth of the gold nisab). Most contemporary Islamic scholars recommend the silver standard for cash and financial assets because it brings Zakat within reach of more people and better reflects the original spirit of the obligation. The gold standard is sometimes preferred by those who wish to use the stricter threshold.
Do I pay Zakat on my house and car?
No. Your primary home, personal car, furniture, and clothing are not zakatable because they are in personal use rather than being wealth held for growth or trade. However, if you own additional properties as investments, the rental income you collect and retain is zakatable. The market value of the investment property itself is generally not zakatable under the Hanafi and majority opinion, though some scholars include it.
Is Zakat due on retirement accounts?
Most scholars say yes, on the amount you could actually access today (after any applicable penalties or tax). If a 401(k) or pension is accessible only on retirement with a large penalty, some scholars say to include only the net amount after deducting those costs. Others say to include the full balance. Use your best judgment or consult a scholar familiar with your specific pension structure.
What if I do not know the exact value of my gold jewellery?
Weigh your gold and multiply by the current gold spot price. Gold prices are quoted per troy ounce (31.1 g) and are widely available online. If you follow the scholarly opinion that personally worn gold jewellery is exempt, you would enter 0 for it. If you include it (the more cautious position), enter the current market value.
Can I pay Zakat in installments or early?
Yes. You may pay Zakat before your hawl date if you wish (paying in advance is permissible). You can also distribute it in installments across the year, as long as the full amount is paid before or at your hawl anniversary. Many Muslims choose to pay in Ramadan for the added spiritual reward of that month.
Who is eligible to receive Zakat?
The Quran (9:60) specifies eight categories of eligible recipients: the poor (fuqara), the needy (masakin), those who administer Zakat, those whose hearts are to be reconciled, those in bondage, those in debt, those in the cause of Allah, and the traveller in need. In practice, most Zakat is distributed to the first two categories - people who lack sufficient income or assets to meet their basic needs.