Nisab is the minimum threshold of wealth above which zakat becomes obligatory. There are two nisab values: the gold nisab (87.48 grams of pure gold) and the silver nisab (612.36 grams of fine silver). Because silver is much cheaper per gram, the silver nisab produces a significantly lower pound sterling threshold.
Key facts
- Gold nisab: 87.48 grams of 24ct (pure) gold — equal to 20 mithqal
- Silver nisab: 612.36 grams of .999 fine silver — equal to 200 dirhams
- Weights are fixed and universal across all four madhabs
- The £ value changes daily with LBMA spot prices
- Silver nisab is lower → more Muslims are eligible under silver
- Your madhab does not dictate which nisab to use — that is a separate scholarly preference
What is Nisab?
Nisab (نصاب) literally means "threshold" or "minimum amount." In the context of zakat, it is the minimum level of wealth a Muslim must possess before zakat becomes obligatory. If your net zakatable wealth is below the nisab at either the start or end of your hawl year, no zakat is due.
The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ set the nisab in terms of gold and silver — the monetary standards of early Islamic society. These weights have remained fixed ever since, making zakat automatically adjusted for inflation through the live precious metal price.
The Gold Nisab — 87.48g
The gold nisab is 87.48 grams of pure (24ct) gold, equivalent to 20 mithqal — the traditional Islamic unit of weight. This figure is universal across all four Sunni madhabs and has been the standard for centuries.
To calculate the gold nisab in pounds: multiply 87.48 by the current LBMA spot price of 24ct gold per gram. This value fluctuates daily. Visit the live prices page to see today's nisab values.
The Silver Nisab — 612.36g
The silver nisab is 612.36 grams of fine (.999) silver, equivalent to 200 dirhams. This weight is also universal across all four madhabs. However, because silver is dramatically cheaper per gram than gold, the silver nisab translates to a much lower pound sterling threshold.
Why Are There Two Values?
Gold and silver were both used as currency in early Islamic society. The Prophet ﷺ set separate nisab thresholds for each, reflecting the different values of gold dinars and silver dirhams at the time. In that era, both nisab values were roughly equivalent in purchasing power.
Today, however, the gold-to-silver price ratio is roughly 80:1 or higher, meaning the silver nisab is far lower in pound terms. This divergence is why the choice of nisab basis matters practically — it can be the difference between paying zakat and not.
Which Nisab Should You Use?
This is a matter of scholarly preference, not madhab doctrine. Your madhab (Hanafi, Maliki, Shafi'i, Hanbali) does not specify which nisab basis to use. Both are valid.
Most UK Islamic charities default to the silver nisab for the following reasons:
- It is the more cautious position — a lower threshold means more Muslims are liable, and more zakat is collected for the poor.
- Many contemporary scholars argue the silver nisab better serves the spirit of zakat, which is to redistribute wealth from those who have to those in need.
- The silver nisab was historically the more commonly referenced threshold in classical fiqh texts dealing with everyday wealth.
Some scholars prefer the gold nisab, arguing it provides a higher and more stable threshold more in keeping with the Prophet's intent. Both positions are well-supported and either is acceptable.
This calculator defaults to silver but allows you to switch to gold. If you are unsure, silver is the safer choice for ensuring your zakat obligation is fully met.
The Live Pound Value
Because the nisab is expressed as a fixed weight of precious metal, its pound value changes every trading day with the LBMA spot price. The nisab is not a fixed pound amount — quoting "the nisab is £X" without a date is meaningless.
This calculator fetches live LBMA spot prices and shows today's nisab threshold at the top of the calculation. The live prices page also shows today's gold and silver spot prices with both nisab values in pounds.