Karat Purity Calculator (Tola, Masha, Ratti) — 24K, 22K, 21K, 18K
The tola-based karat purity calculator computes pure gold content for jewellery weighed in South Asian units. 1 tola = 11.664 grams, 1 masha = 0.972 g, and 1 ratti = 0.1215 g. The calculator takes any mixture of tola/masha/ratti, totals it in grams, then applies the karat ratio to return pure gold mass + money value at live local rates.
It is the standard reckoning used in Pakistani, Indian, Bangladeshi and Nepali bazaars — particularly at Sarafa Bazar (Karachi/Lahore), Zaveri Bazaar (Mumbai), and Tanti Bazar (Dhaka) — where bullion and jewellery are quoted per-tola but stamped with 916, 875 or 750 hallmark codes for purity.
When to use this calculator
- Sarafa Bazar valuation — read the daily tola rate sheet then back-calculate the value of a mixed-karat piece.
- Wedding jewellery audit — check the hallmark + gross weight against the invoice purity claim.
- Karachi/Lahore/Dhaka shop reconciliation — match buy-side and sell-side ledgers in pure-gold equivalent.
- Family-heirloom division — split mixed-karat pieces by pure-gold content rather than by gross tola.
Karat Purity Calculation in South Asian Tola Units
The Sarafa Bazar gold trade operates entirely in tola, masha and ratti — so a karat purity calculator that outputs in grams forces an unnecessary conversion step at the point of settlement. This tola-variant keeps inputs and outputs in the same unit system, matching the daily-ledger reckoning at Karachi Sarafa Association, Lahore Anarkali Bazar and Mumbai Zaveri Bazaar shops.
The karat ratio (karat ÷ 24) applies uniformly to any weight unit. A 2-tola ring at 22K contains 2 × (22/24) = 1.833 tola of pure gold = exactly 1 tola 10 masha. No gram conversion is needed at any stage of the calculation, reducing the chance of rounding errors entering the settlement figure.
For the equivalent calculation in grams — appropriate for international refiner intake or customs declaration — the karat purity calculator (Grams) produces the same result in metric units. For the impurity mass (alloy to be discarded in refining), use the gold impurity calculator (Tola).
How the calculation works
Pure gold (tola) = Total weight (tola) × (Karat ÷ 24). For a 2 tola 4 masha ring at 22K: 2.333 tola × (22 ÷ 24) = 2.139 tola of pure gold. Convert to grams: 2.139 × 11.664 = 24.95 g pure. Money value = pure mass × live XAU/PKR (or INR / BDT / NPR) tola rate.
Step-by-step calculation
Example: 2 tola of 22K gold
- 1
Total weight in tola
tola = tola + masha÷12 + ratti÷96
2 tola 0 masha 0 ratti = 2.0000 tola
- 2
Find the karat ratio
ratio = karat ÷ 24
22 ÷ 24 = 0.9167
- 3
Calculate pure gold in tola
pure tola = total × ratio
2.0000 × 0.9167 = 1.8333 tola
- 4
Express as tola/masha/ratti
tola → TMR breakdown
1.8333 tola = 1 tola 10 masha 0 ratti
- 5
Alloy mass
alloy = total − pure
2.0000 − 1.8333 = 0.1667 tola = 2 masha 0 ratti
Sample conversions
| Input | Result |
|---|---|
| 1 tola of 24K (999) | 1.0000 tola = 11.664 g pure gold |
| 1 tola of 22K (916) | 0.9167 tola = 10.692 g pure gold |
| 1 tola of 21K (875) | 0.8750 tola = 10.206 g pure gold |
| 1 tola of 18K (750) | 0.7500 tola = 8.748 g pure gold |
| 12 masha of 22K | 11.00 masha pure = 10.692 g |
Quick Reference — Pure Gold Content per 1 Tola by Karat
| Karat | Pure Gold (tola) |
|---|---|
| 24K (999) | 1.0000 tola |
| 22K (916) | 0.9167 tola |
| 21K (875) | 0.8750 tola |
| 18K (750) | 0.7500 tola |
| 14K (585) | 0.5833 tola |
| 10K (417) | 0.4167 tola |
1 tola = 11.664 g. Pure gold = Gross tola × (karat ÷ 24). Alloy = Gross − Pure.
Frequently asked questions
How do I convert masha and ratti to a single tola figure before applying karat?
1 tola = 12 masha = 96 ratti. Divide masha by 12 and ratti by 96 and add to your tola count: e.g. 2 tola 6 masha 4 ratti = 2 + (6/12) + (4/96) = 2.5417 tola. Then multiply by (karat ÷ 24) for pure gold. The calculator handles this carry-over automatically.
Why might my Pakistani 22K ring yield slightly less pure gold than an Indian 22K ring of identical gross tola?
Both are theoretically 91.67% pure, so the pure-gold content per tola is identical. Real-world differences come from hallmark tolerance (916 permits 91.5–92%), refining process loss (0.5–1%), and occasional under-purity pieces stamped 22K. The calculator assumes the stamped karat is accurate — always request an assay if in doubt.
What karat is "916" gold and why is it the most common in South Asian jewellery?
916 fineness = 91.6% pure gold = 22 karat. It is the dominant bridal-jewellery standard across Pakistan, India and Bangladesh because it is hard enough for stone-setting and intricate filigree work, while still carrying over 91% pure gold content that retains most of the 24K bullion value.
Can I trust the karat stamp on second-hand South Asian jewellery?
Not always without verification. Counterfeit hallmarks exist, and pre-2000 pieces may predate compulsory hallmarking. An acid test costs under ₨500 at most Sarafa Bazar shops and gives a result in minutes. For high-value pieces, an XRF (X-ray fluorescence) assay provides a precise karat reading non-destructively.
Does the karat calculation change if I weigh in masha instead of tola?
No — karat applies the same ratio regardless of the weight unit. Whether you input 1 tola, 12 masha, or 96 ratti, the calculator converts all to grams first and then applies (karat ÷ 24). The unit choice only affects how results are displayed, not the underlying math.
What karat of gold is sold in Dubai and Saudi Arabia?
UAE and Saudi retail jewellery is predominantly 21K (875 fineness) for traditional Arabic designs, and 18K (750) for modern European-style pieces. 24K (999) investment bars and coins are also widely available through licensed bullion dealers in the DMCC and Saudi Gold Souk.
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