Gold Purity Chart: Karat, Fineness and Percent
Values on this page use gold spot at $4,048.80/oz · updated
Quick answer: Karat counts parts of gold out of 24. So 24K is pure, 18K is 75%, 14K is 58.3% and 10K is 41.7%. Fineness says the same thing in parts per thousand, which is what you see stamped on a piece: 750, 585, 417. At live spot, a gram of 24K is worth $130.04 and each lower karat is that figure scaled down.
Selling a piece you have just identified? The value in the last column is the metal at spot, a ceiling and not an offer.
Buying instead? See where to buy gold for what to ask a dealer.
The chart
| Karat | Gold | Other metals | Common stamp | Value of 1 gram |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 9K (reference only) | 37.5% | 62.5% | 375 | $48.81 |
| 10K | 41.7% | 58.3% | 417 | $54.24 |
| 14K | 58.3% | 41.7% | 585 | $75.93 |
| 18K | 75.0% | 25.0% | 750 | $97.63 |
| 22K | 91.7% | 8.3% | 916 or 917 | $119.32 |
| 24K | 99.9% | 0.1% | 999 | $130.04 |
The 9K row is included as data only. It appears on British and European jewelry with a 375 mark and is not a US-recommended grade; in the US, 10K is the lowest karat that may be sold as gold under the FTC Jewelry Guides. Its value is just 9/24 of the 24K gram.
How karat turns into a percentage
The sum is simple. Take the karat, divide by 24, and you have the share of the piece that is gold. For 14K that is 14/24, or 58.3%. For 22K it is 22/24, or 91.7%.
The balance is another metal or a few of them. Copper, silver and zinc are the usual partners, and white gold also uses nickel or palladium. These make the alloy stronger and set its color, yet they add almost nothing to the value.
That is why the same gram of gold can look yellow, rose or white without changing the number of karats. Color is a recipe; purity is a measurement.
Hallmarks and where to find them
Stamps are normally tiny and sit in discreet places. On a ring, look inside the band. On a chain, check the clasp or the tag near it. On earrings, the post or the back often carries the mark.
The common ones are 417 for 10K, 585 for 14K, 750 for 18K, 916 or 917 for 22K, and 999 for 24K. Bullion may also show 999.9. Many American pieces are stamped with the karat instead, such as "14K" or "14KT".
A mark is evidence, not proof. Some items are stamped honestly and some are not, so when the value matters, test it. Our karat pages explain each grade in turn: 10K, 14K, 18K, 22K and 24K.
Testing at home versus a dealer's test
At home you can do a few cautious checks. A magnet should not pull on real gold, although a non-reactive result proves little because many fakes are not magnetic either. Acid kits exist, but they use corrosive chemicals and can mark a piece, so they suit scrap more than heirlooms.
A dealer or jeweler has better tools. An acid scratch test compares your piece against known samples. Some shops use X-ray fluorescence, or XRF, which reads the alloy without damaging it. Results from either are usually stated as a karat estimate, and thin surface layers can distort what an XRF reads.
For anything sentimental, expect to pay a fee for a proper test, or ask whether the shop will do one free before a purchase.
Plated, filled and everything else that glitters
Not every gold-colored item is solid gold. Gold plated pieces carry a very thin surface layer. Gold filled items carry a thicker one, bonded to a base metal. Gold vermeil is usually a gold layer over silver. Descriptions differ, and the gold in these pieces is worth very little as scrap.
If the stamp carries letters such as GP, GF or HGE, treat the piece as layered, not solid. Do not use the karat rows on this page to value it.
From karat to dollars
Once you know the karat and the weight, the sum is short: weight in grams times the value of one gram in that karat. Use the gold value calculator for odd weights, or the gold price per gram table for common ones.
This page is part of the gold value chart, which refreshes spot throughout the day. Spot is the price of pure gold, so everything here is a melt value, which does not include a piece's design, brand or collector appeal.
What this chart can't tell you: a stamp cannot tell you whether a piece is hollow, plated over a filler, or worth more as an antique than as metal. Buyers will quote below melt value to cover their costs.
Frequently asked questions
What does 14K mean in percent?
It means 14 parts gold out of 24, or about 58.3%. The remainder is other metals.
Is 10K really gold?
Yes. In the US, 10K is the lowest karat that may be sold as gold, with 41.7% gold by weight. Its hardness suits everyday wear, but it holds less value per gram.
Does a higher karat always mean a better ring?
Not for daily wear. Higher karats are softer and scratch more easily, so many people prefer 14K or 18K for durability.
How do I tell 22K from 18K by look?
Usually by color: 22K tends to look deeper and more orange-yellow. Color alone is unreliable, so check the stamp and have it tested if the value matters.