Zakat Calculator

Zakat is obligatory on every Muslim who is of sound mind and able means. The amount of Zakat to be paid is based on the Nisaab, the threshold or minimum amount of wealth a Muslim must possess before Zakat becomes payable. Whilst the value of eligible goods and items can vary throughout the year, Zakat is based on the Nisaab at the end of the individual’s full Islamic (lunar) year.

There are two measures to determine Nisaab – gold (3 ounces or 87.48 grams, or its cash equivalent) or silver (21 ounces or 612.36 grams, or its cash equivalent)

Getting started

Give a percentage of your zakat net worth. If you’re over the nisab threshold, give a minimum of 2.5% of your zakat net worth. Give more than 2.5% if you’re financially able. For example, if your net worth is $4,000, you’ll give $100 for zakat ($4,000 X .025 = $100). However, give more if you’re financially able. The calculation is slightly higher if you’re using a western, Gregorian calendar vs. the lunar Hijri calendar. If you’re following the western calendar cycle use 2.557% of your net worth. If you’re following the Hijri calendar, use 2.5% of your net worth.

Zakat is one of the Pillar of Islam and a way to purify your wealth for the will of Allah (SWT). It is payable on assets owned over one lunar year. It is calculated as 2.5% of the total wealth. The collected amount is paid first to zakat collectors, and then to poor Muslims, to new converts to Islam, to Islamic clergy, and others.

1 Nisab is the threshold or cut-off amount. If your personal wealth, or what you own, is more than the nisab, you owe zakat. If your personal wealth is below the nisab, you don’t owe zakat. You use either the current market price of gold or silver to calculate nisab. Always check current market rates, as gold and silver prices fluctuate. Calculate the nisab. Choose either the gold or silver rate, not both. The nisab is the cash equivalent of 3 ounces/87.48 grams of gold or 21 ounces/612.36 grams of silver.. For example, if each ounce of silver is currently worth $15, the nisab using the silver calculation is $315 ($15 X 21 ounces = $315). If your personal wealth is above $315, you owe zakat.

2 Zakat is an annual duty. Determine your cycle dates. It’s due one lunar year, or hijiri, from the first day you exceeded the nisab threshold or from the day you last paid zakat. For western, Gregorian and Hijri Date conversations, check out: IslamicFinder Hijri and Gregorian Calendar Date Conversions If you know your personal wealth is always above zakat, select any date during the year to pay. Keep track of the date so you remember when it’s due the next year. Many people choose Ramadan as the month they pay zakat. Ramadan is one of the five pillars of Islam. It’s a sacred time when Muslims read the Koran and fast from dawn to dusk. Paying zakat is another way to cleanse the soul during this holy period.

3 Silver has a lower price than gold, base your calculations on silver. Using silver for the nisab means you’re more likely to exceed the threshold. You’ll be able to meet your spiritual and moral duty to provide for those who are less fortunate. For example, if each gram of silver is worth $0.66, the nisab using the silver calculation is $404.15 (612.35 grams X $0.66 = $404.15). More people would exceed this threshold rather than the gold threshold.