Quick Answer
The Nisab threshold is calculated based on the current market value of 87.48 grams of gold or 612.36 grams of silver — if your net Zakat-eligible wealth equals or exceeds this value, Zakat becomes obligatory.
What Is a Nisab Threshold?
Nisab is the minimum threshold of wealth a Muslim must possess before Zakat becomes obligatory. It is traditionally benchmarked against two possible standards: the value of 87.48 grams of gold, or the value of 612.36 grams of silver. Since gold and silver market prices fluctuate independently, these two benchmarks can give noticeably different Nisab values at any given time.
A practical point of difference among scholars: some recommend using the gold standard, while others recommend using the silver standard (which is typically lower in value, meaning more people would meet the Zakat-paying threshold, and more wealth would be available to those who receive Zakat). Both are considered valid by different schools of Islamic thought.
Nisab must be assessed based on net wealth (after subtracting short-term debts) and must remain at or above the threshold for one full lunar year (Hawl) before Zakat becomes due on it — wealth that briefly crosses the Nisab and then drops back below it before completing a full lunar year does not trigger a Zakat obligation for that period.
How to Use This Nisab Threshold
- 1The calculator fetches or uses the current market price of gold and silver.
- 2It calculates the value of 87.48g of gold and 612.36g of silver at current prices.
- 3Compare your net Zakat-eligible wealth against these two threshold values to determine if you've reached Nisab.
The Formula Explained
Gold Nisab Value = 87.48 grams × Current Gold Price per GramSilver Nisab Value = 612.36 grams × Current Silver Price per GramExample: Calculating Nisab at a gold price of $75/gram
- Gold Nisab = 87.48 grams × $75/gram
Tips & Things to Know
- Because gold and silver prices move independently, the silver-based Nisab is typically (though not always) a lower threshold than the gold-based one — check both and confirm with your school of thought's guidance on which standard to apply.
- Nisab should be checked against your net wealth (assets minus short-term debts), not your gross assets alone.
- The full lunar year (Hawl) requirement means a one-time spike in wealth that doesn't persist for a full lunar year doesn't trigger Zakat — track your wealth consistently across the year, not just at a single point.
- Nisab values change as gold and silver prices fluctuate — recalculate using current prices each time you assess your Zakat obligation, rather than relying on an old cached value.