Silver Melt Value Calculator (scrap value by weight, purity & spot price)

Understanding the silver melt value calculator — concept and principle

Melt value is what the pure silver in a coin, piece of jewellery or bar is worth at today's spot price. This calculator converts the item's weight and purity into troy ounces of pure silver, values it and estimates a dealer's offer.

100 g of sterling holds 92.5 g of pure silver, 2.9739 troy ounces, worth $118.96 at $40 an ounce.

How it is calculated

Pure silver (g) = weight in grams × purity (parts per thousand) ÷ 1,000.
Pure silver (troy oz) = pure grams ÷ 31.1034768.
Melt value = pure troy ounces × spot price per troy ounce.
Dealer offer = melt value × the share a buyer pays.

The principle

Precious metals are priced per troy ounce of 480 grains, exactly 31.1034768 g, which is heavier than an ordinary avoirdupois ounce of 28.349523125 g. Silver items are alloys, so only the silver fraction counts. Purity is given in parts per thousand: sterling silver is 925 (92.5%), most pre-1965 US silver coins and many older European coins are 900, and investment bars are usually 999. Dealers pay less than melt value to cover refining, handling and profit.

Worked example

Default inputs: 100 g, purity 925, spot price 40 USD per troy ounce, buyer pays 90%.

Pure silver = 100 × 0.925 = 92.5 g.
In troy ounces = 92.5 ÷ 31.1034768 ≈ 2.9739 troy oz.
Melt value = 2.9739 × 40 ≈ 118.96 USD, or 1.19 USD per gram of item.
Silver price per gram = 40 ÷ 31.1034768 ≈ 1.29 USD.
Dealer offer at 90% ≈ 107.06 USD.

Each point is the calculator re-run with only “Weight of the item” changed; the gold point is the default example. Change the inputs above and this chart follows your numbers.

Weight of the item	Melt value
25	$29.74
50	$59.48
75	$89.22
100	$118.96
125	$148.70
150	$178.44
200	$237.92

How to read the result

Melt value is a floor for ordinary silver items. Collectible coins, antiques and designer jewellery can be worth much more than their metal. If a buyer's offer is far below melt value, compare several dealers. Spot prices move during the day, so check the current price before selling.

Common mistakes

Using avoirdupois ounces instead of troy ounces.
Weighing stones, clasps or non-silver parts as silver.
Assuming "silver plated" items contain meaningful silver; plating is very thin.
Treating the spot price as what a dealer will pay.

Keep in mind: Spot prices change constantly and purity marks can be wrong. Get items tested and compare offers. This is not investment advice.

Frequently asked questions

How many grams are in a troy ounce?

Exactly 31.1034768 grams.

What does 925 mean on silver?

It means 925 parts per thousand, or 92.5% silver: sterling silver.

Why do dealers pay less than melt value?

They must refine or resell the metal and cover their costs and profit.

Sources: NIST Handbook 44 / NIST SP 811 (troy ounce = 31.1034768 g) · UK Assay Office, Hallmarking guide (sterling silver 925)

Checked 9 Nov 2026. NIST Handbook 44, Appendix C “General Tables of Units of Measurement”: 1 troy ounce = 480 grains (exactly) ≈ 31.103 g; grain = 64.79891 mg gives 31.1034768 g. Purity in millesimal fineness: standard convention.

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