Silver Scrap Value Calculator
Estimate the melt value of sterling, coin, Britannia or fine silver from its weight in grams, troy ounces, pennyweights or kilos, its fineness and the silver price you enter — with a buyer payout percentage, fees, a mixed-lot list, offer check and price tables.
How it works
Fine silver (g) = weight (g) × fineness ÷ 1,000 · troy oz = fine grams ÷ 31.1035 · melt value = troy oz × spot price · payout = melt × payout % − fees · 1 dwt = 1.5552 g, 1 troy oz = 20 dwt = 31.1035 g
Sterling silver is 92.5% pure (the “925” hallmark); the remaining 7.5% is usually copper and carries no metal value. Multiply each piece’s weight by its fineness to get the pure silver, convert grams to troy ounces (31.1035 g each — precious metals are never priced in kitchen ounces) and multiply by the silver price you enter. You can weigh in grams, troy ounces, pennyweights, kilos, grains, tolas or taels and type the price per troy ounce, per gram or per kilo. For a mixed box of scrap, switch on the list mode and enter one item per line with its own fineness; the calculator totals the lot. Buyers pay a share of melt value to cover refining, assay and profit — often 70–85% for sterling scrap and more for bullion — and some deduct flat fees, so the payout table and the offer check show what a fair offer looks like at your price.
Worked example
A 50 g sterling (.925) lot holds 50 × 0.925 = 46.25 g of fine silver, or 1.487 troy oz. At an example price of $50 per troy oz that is a $74.35 melt value ($1.49 per gram of sterling, or $2.31 per dwt); at an 85% payout you would get about $63.20. A mixed lot of 120 g of sterling spoons, a 2 ozt fine bar and a 15 dwt 800 bracelet holds 111 + 62.14 + 18.66 = 191.80 g of fine silver, worth $308.33 at the same price.
Frequently asked questions
Why doesn’t the calculator show today’s silver price?
Silver trades around the clock and its price can move several percent in a day, so the calculator never pretends a stored number is current. Look up the live spot price, type it in (per troy ounce, gram or kilo) and every result updates.
Is "coin silver" the same as sterling?
No. Traditional US coin silver is 90% pure, while sterling is 92.5%. Older European silver is often 800 or 835, Scandinavian pieces 830, and Mexican and French silver 950. Match the hallmark to the right fineness, or choose “Other fineness” and type the number.
What is a pennyweight (dwt)?
A pennyweight is 1/20 of a troy ounce, 1.555 g. Jewellers and scrap buyers often quote prices per dwt, so the calculator shows the value per dwt alongside the value per gram.
Are silver coins worth only their melt value?
Not always. Many coins carry a numismatic premium above melt for their date, mint or condition, so check collector value before scrapping bullion-era or key-date coins.
Why is the payout lower than for gold?
Silver is low-value per ounce, so fixed refining and handling costs eat a larger share of a small lot. Larger quantities usually earn a higher payout percentage. Enter any flat fee under More options to see your true net.
How do I value a mixed box of silver?
Turn on “Mixed lot” and type one item per line, such as “120 g 925 spoons” or “2 ozt 999 bar”. Lines without a fineness use the silver type you selected, and the table lists each item’s fine silver and value.
Related calculators
Estimate only — actual buyer offers vary with spot price, purity testing and refining fees.