Zakat calculator

What is zakat?

Zakat is an obligation for Muslims who own enough wealth. It is regarded as the third pillar of Islam ^[2]. The Arabic word means, among other things, “purification” and “growth”: the payment is meant to purify both the wealth and the person ^[9].

The Qur’an mentions zakat in about thirty places, often together with prayer ^[2]. Often cited are Sura 9, verse 103 (the payment purifies) and Sura 2, verse 277 (those who believe, pray and give zakat are promised a reward) ^[9].

Zakat on wealth is not the same as zakat al-fitr, the payment at the end of Ramadan (see below), and not the same as voluntary donations. It has fixed rules: a minimum threshold, a time limit and a fixed rate.

Who has to pay zakat?

According to the overview of the Turkish religious authority Diyanet ^[2], zakat is due from anyone who

• is a Muslim, of sound mind and an adult,
• owns wealth of at least the nisab that goes beyond basic needs and the debts of the year,
• and has held that wealth for a full lunar year.

For children the schools of law differ: in the Hanafi view no zakat is due on a child’s property, in the Shafi’i view it is ^[2].

The nisab: the minimum threshold

The nisab is the minimum wealth from which zakat becomes due. The tradition states it in old units: 20 mithqal of gold and 200 dirham of silver ^{[1, 7]}. Whoever owns less pays no zakat. Whoever owns at least that much and meets the other conditions pays 2.5 percent. What that is in euro today is shown in the table above.

Why there are several gram figures

There is no single agreed conversion of the old units into grams ^[8]. The TDV encyclopaedia uses a mithqal of 4.25 g and a dirham of about 2.97 g. That gives 85 g of gold and 595 g of silver ^{[7, 8]}. Diyanet’s Zekât İlmihali gives 80.18 g of gold and 561.2 g of silver ^[1]. One aid organisation uses 87.48 g and 612.36 g ^[11]. The TDV encyclopaedia also notes that a dirham of 3.207 g would lead to about 640 g of silver ^[8].

Between the smallest and the largest figure there is a difference of a little over nine percent. That affects the threshold in euro, especially for gold.

Gold or silver as the standard?

Compared with gold, silver is worth much less today than in the early days of Islam ^[3]. That is why the silver nisab is clearly lower than the gold nisab (see the table). The sources do not agree:

• Diyanet’s High Board takes the value of 80.18 g of gold for money, trade goods and securities, and also for silver, because silver has lost much of its value ^[3].
• The TDV encyclopaedia names the value of 85 g of gold for every kind of money as the predominant view. It also lists alternatives: the average of both values, or different thresholds by type of asset ^[7].
• Islamic Relief Deutschland calculates the nisab with 85 g of gold ^[10]. Islamic Relief Canada, on the other hand, recommends silver because zakat is then due on more wealth and more help arrives ^[11].

Valuation uses the spot price of pure metal. When buying or selling jewellery the price differs, because workmanship and the dealer’s margin are not part of the spot price.

Hawl: the lunar year

Zakat becomes due when wealth has stayed at or above the nisab for a full lunar year (Arabic: hawl) ^[2]. A lunar year is shorter than a solar year and has about 354 days ^{[9, 11]}.

According to Diyanet, the day on which your wealth reaches the nisab is the start of the zakat year. Ups and downs during the year do not count, but the nisab must still be reached at the end of the year ^{[2, 5]}. Money that comes in later, such as salary, is added to the wealth you already have ^[5].

On the time of payment: according to Diyanet there is no fixed date. You do not have to wait for Ramadan and should pay promptly once the obligation has arisen. Paying in advance, before the year is over, is permitted ^[2]. Islamic Relief Deutschland points out that many Muslims prefer to give their zakat in Ramadan ^[9].

The calculator works with the figures you enter. It does not check how your wealth developed during the year.

How to calculate zakat: 2.5 percent

Zakat is one fortieth, that is 2.5 percent of the net zakatable wealth ^{[1, 2]}. This is how you calculate it:

1. Add up all zakatable wealth on your reference date.
2. Subtract debts that fall due within the year.
3. Compare the net wealth with the nisab.
4. If it is at least as high as the nisab: net wealth divided by 40 gives the zakat.

The calculator above does exactly that and shows every intermediate step. Two examples with assumed prices:

What is zakatable and what is not?

Wealth is zakatable if it can grow or is meant to ^[2]. Things that belong to basic needs are not zakatable, such as your own home, furniture, clothes and the family car ^{[2, 9]}. The table shows where it is clear and where opinions differ.

Zakat on gold and silver: bars, coins and jewellery

Gold and silver are zakatable when, together with your other wealth, they reach the nisab. They are valued by the pure metal. Diyanet converts gold of other carats to 24 carat ^[4]: a ring of 18 carat counts with three quarters of its weight. The calculator does this through the “Purity” selection.

For jewellery worn for personal use the schools of law differ. In the Hanafi view it is zakatable once the nisab is reached and a year has passed. In the Shafi’i, Maliki and Hanbali views, jewellery that a woman normally wears is a basic need and not zakatable ^{[1, 2, 8, 9]}. Diyanet’s Zekât İlmihali states that zakat should be given on gold of 80.18 g or more, whether it is jewellery or not ^[1].

The calculator leaves jewellery out at first. Switch it on if you follow the Hanafi view or your scholar sees it that way.

Deducting debts

Debts reduce the zakatable wealth, but opinions differ ^[2]:

• Hanafi majority view: debts are deducted whether or not they are already due.
• Some Hanafi scholars: only debts that are already due and demanded by the creditor.
• Widespread Shafi’i view: debts are not deducted.

For today’s conditions Diyanet advises not to deduct long-term instalment loans in full, because they run for many years. Only debts that fall due in the zakat year are to be deducted ^[2]. The calculator follows this rule: enter only what you have to repay this year. For a long-term loan that means the instalments of the year, not the whole outstanding balance.

Shares, funds, receivables and pensions

According to the sources, shares and funds are zakatable, but there are several calculation methods. According to Diyanet, shares held for resale count like trade goods: they are taken at market value at 2.5 percent. For shares held for the dividend, the dividend share is zakatable ^[2]. In the academic literature the correct valuation of shares is regarded as not finally settled ^[12]. The calculator uses the simple method and takes the market value. For larger amounts, ask a scholar.

Receivables are money that others owe you. Diyanet distinguishes: secure receivables, such as money you lent or trade receivables, are counted every year if the debtor acknowledges them or there is proof. Disputed or hopeless receivables do not have to be counted every year; they are taken into account once the money has come in ^[2]. The calculator therefore asks only for receivables whose repayment you expect.

For pension claims, life insurance and similar contracts this page gives no rule. Please discuss such cases with a qualified scholar.

Zakat al-fitr: a separate obligation

Zakat al-fitr (also sadaqa al-fitr, Turkish fitre) is not zakat on wealth but a separate payment at the end of Ramadan ^{[2, 17]}. It is due from every person who reaches the end of Ramadan and owns more than their basic needs. You give it for yourself and for the minor children you are responsible for ^[2].

Whether a minimum wealth is required, the schools of law see differently: in the Hanafi view yes, but without the condition of a lunar year; in the Shafi’i view no ^[2]. The amount depends on the standard of living at your place of residence. Whoever lives abroad follows the conditions of the place where he or she lives ^[2]. The amount is set anew every year, in Turkey for example by Diyanet’s High Board ^[16]. That is why we name no figure here: ask your community or a body you trust.

Who receives zakat? The eight groups

Sura 9, verse 60 names eight groups who may receive zakat ^{[2, 9]}. In our own words:

1. The poor.
2. The needy.
3. Those appointed to collect and administer zakat.
4. People whose hearts are to be brought closer to Islam.
5. People in captivity or bondage who are to be freed.
6. Those in debt.
7. “In the way of God”. The interpretation differs; Diyanet reads it as pilgrims, soldiers and people travelling to learn ^[2].
8. Travellers who are stranded and in need.

Not to your own parents and grandparents, children and grandchildren, or your spouse: you support them anyway ^{[2, 9]}. Other relatives in need, such as siblings, may receive zakat ^{[2, 9]}. According to the Hanafi list in Diyanet’s overview, non-Muslims and wealthy people are not among the recipients either ^[2].

When and how do I pay zakat?

• Intention and handover: zakat counts only if you give it with the intention and it passes into the ownership of the recipient. You can hand it over in person, transfer it, or have a person or organisation pass it on ^[2]. A meal to which people in need are invited is not enough ^[2].
• Through organisations: an organisation may accept zakat only if it passes it on to those entitled. What it uses for construction, lighting or office costs is not zakat. So check how the organisation handles zakat ^[2]. We do not recommend any particular organisation.
• In instalments: whoever cannot pay at once may pay the zakat in instalments within a year ^{[2, 9]}.
• Taxes do not replace zakat: what you pay to the state is not credited ^[2].
• Questions locally: imams and communities often help. You can find mosques in your city in the mosque directory.

Common mistakes

• Counting only one account. Cash, second accounts, savings accounts, receivables and gold kept at home are part of your wealth too.
• Including your own home or everyday car. Both belong to basic needs ^{[2, 9]}.
• Deducting all debts. According to Diyanet only debts that fall due in the zakat year count; for long-term loans these are the instalments of the year ^[2].
• Choosing the standard without thought. The gold and silver nisab can lead to different results. Look at both and talk to a scholar if they differ.
• Confusing the shop price of jewellery with the value of the metal. The calculator uses the spot price of pure metal.
• Confusing zakat with zakat al-fitr. They are two separate obligations ^[2].
• Crediting taxes. Taxes do not replace zakat ^[2].
• Postponing payment. According to Diyanet you should pay promptly once the obligation has arisen ^[2].

Frequently asked questions

Sources

The figures and rules on this page come from these sources. The text is given in our own words. The numbers in square brackets refer to this list.

1. [1]Diyanet İşleri Başkanlığı: Zekât İlmihali, 2nd edition 2013, pp. 90 to 92 (nisab in grams, jewellery). PDF
2. [2]Din İşleri Yüksek Kurulu (Diyanet): Zekât – Sıkça Sorulanlar, including Sadaka-i Fıtır (frequently asked questions, PDF from 2017). PDF
3. [3]Din İşleri Yüksek Kurulu: fatwa “Gümüşün zekât nisabı nedir?” of 07.09.2022 (gold as the standard, also for silver). kurul.diyanet.gov.tr
4. [4]Din İşleri Yüksek Kurulu: fatwa on the nisab for gold of different carats of 31.08.2022. kurul.diyanet.gov.tr
5. [5]Din İşleri Yüksek Kurulu: fatwa on salary and the zakat year of 26.11.2025. kurul.diyanet.gov.tr
6. [6]Din İşleri Yüksek Kurulu: fatwa on flats, shops, land and machines (nisab, basic needs) of 06.05.2026. kurul.diyanet.gov.tr
7. [7]TDV İslâm Ansiklopedisi (Türkiye Diyanet Vakfı): articles “Nisab” (Mehmet Erkal) and “Zekât”. Nisab, Zekât
8. [8]TDV İslâm Ansiklopedisi: “Gümüş”, “Dirhem” and “Miskal” (weights of the old units, jewellery). Gümüş, Dirhem, Miskal
9. [9]Islamic Relief Deutschland: Zakat (explanation and FAQ, in German). islamicrelief.de
10. [10]Islamic Relief Deutschland: zakat calculator (nisab by 85 g of gold, in German). islamicrelief.de
11. [11]Islamic Relief Canada: Nisab (87.48 g and 612.36 g, recommendation for silver). islamicreliefcanada.org
12. [12]A. A. Islahi, M. Obaidullah: Zakah on stocks: some unsettled issues (2004). mpra.ub.uni-muenchen.de
13. [13]gold-api.com: price data, documentation and terms of service (gold and silver in US dollars per troy ounce). Docs, Terms
14. [14]European Central Bank: euro foreign exchange reference rates; disclaimer and copyright. ECB, Disclaimer
15. [15]NIST: Special Publication 811, Appendix B.9 (troy ounce and grain; 1 troy ounce = 480 grains = 31.1034768 g). nist.gov
16. [16]News agency DHA: the Diyanet’s High Board sets the fitre amount for 2026 (announced every year). dha.com.tr
17. [17]Islamic Relief Deutschland: Zakat-ul-Fitr (an obligatory payment in Ramadan, not to be confused with regular zakat; in German). islamicrelief.de

Listing an organisation here is a citation and not a recommendation. Prices and rates in the calculator come from gold-api.com and the ECB; the conversion into euro per gram was done by HalalAtlas itself.