Reference
Gold Price Per Gram Today: 9ct, 14ct, 18ct & 22ct Compared (UK)
"What's gold worth per gram?" has no single answer — it depends entirely on the carat. Here's how each UK standard compares, and crucially, what you'll actually be paid versus the melt-value headline.
Why carat changes everything
Carat is purity. Pure gold is 24ct (999). Everything below is gold mixed with other metals for strength, so it contains proportionally less gold — and is worth proportionally less per gram:
| Carat | Fineness | Share of pure-gold price |
|---|---|---|
| 9ct | 0.375 | 37.5% |
| 14ct | 0.585 | 58.5% |
| 18ct | 0.750 | 75.0% |
| 22ct | 0.9167 | 91.7% |
| 24ct | 0.999 | 99.9% |
So 18ct is worth exactly double 9ct gram-for-gram, and 22ct nearly two-and-a-half times 9ct. That's why sorting by carat before you sell matters so much.
Melt value vs what you'll be paid
Those percentages give the melt value. But no dealer pays 100% of melt — expect roughly 60–92% depending on who you sell to. So the real price-per-gram in your pocket is lower again. Our gold calculator shows both numbers live for every carat: the melt value per gram and the realistic payout at your chosen buyer type.
Quick tips
- Separate carats before weighing — mixed lots get valued at the lowest carat present.
- 9ct is the UK's most common jewellery gold, but the least valuable per gram — don't expect scrap-9ct to fetch much.
- 22ct and 24ct (often Asian gold and coins) sell closest to melt. See our 22ct & tola guide.
All figures are estimates of melt value, never offers. Not financial or tax advice.