Zakat Calculator
Calculate your annual Zakat obligation. Enter your assets and liabilities to find the 2.5% due on qualifying wealth above Nisab.
Zakat is 2.5% of your wealth held for one lunar year, payable on savings above the Nisab threshold (roughly £4,520 based on 87.48g of gold in 2026). Deduct debts from qualifying assets, then multiply by 0.025.
Enter your assets and debts below to calculate your exact obligation.
Assets (£)
Deductions (£)
Nisab Threshold (£)
Based on the current price of 87.48g of gold. Check your local authority for the latest value.
Total Assets
£0.00
Net Wealth
£0.00
Zakat Due (2.5%)
£0.00
This is an estimate only. Please consult a qualified Islamic scholar for a definitive ruling.
Zakat calculation method
Formula or method
Zakat is due at 2.5% on qualifying wealth held above the Nisab for one lunar year (hawl). The tool adds your zakatable assets, deducts debts that are due, and if the net is at or above the Nisab you set, applies 2.5%.
Basis and assumptions
- Rate: 2.5% of net zakatable wealth, assessed over one lunar (hijri) year.
- Nisab basis: the gold standard of 87.48g; the silver standard of 612.36g is lower and is favoured by many scholars to benefit more recipients. You enter the current value yourself.
- Zakatable: cash, savings, gold, silver, investments, business stock and money owed to you. Exempt: your home, car, personal items and tools of trade.
Key handling decisions
- The Nisab field defaults to a gold-based figure; set it to your local gold or silver value on your Zakat date.
- Gold jewellery differs by school: the Hanafi position treats worn jewellery as zakatable, while the Shafi'i, Maliki and Hanbali positions generally exempt jewellery in regular personal use. Enter gold accordingly.
- Only debts currently due are deducted; this tool covers Zakat al-Mal, not Zakat al-Fitr.
What this tool does not decide
- A binding fatwa for your circumstances; consult a qualified scholar or a trusted Zakat charity.
- Disputed asset classes (pensions, certain shares, cryptocurrency) where scholars differ.
Sources
- Qur'an 9:60 (the eight categories of Zakat recipients)
- The 2.5% rate and the nisab principle (Sahih al-Bukhari, Book of Zakat); gram equivalents 87.48g gold / 612.36g silver per NZF and Islamic Relief UK
Last checked: 2026-06-04
Understanding Zakat: The Third Pillar of Islam
Zakat is a mandatory annual charitable contribution, one of the Five Pillars of Islam. It requires Muslims whose wealth exceeds the Nisab threshold to give 2.5% of their qualifying wealth to those in need. It's not optional charity (that's Sadaqah), it's a religious obligation.
The word "Zakat" means purification. The concept is that wealth is purified by giving a portion away, and that the right of the poor exists within the wealth of the rich. It's calculated once per lunar year (hawl) on assets held for a full year above the Nisab threshold.
What Is and Isn't Zakatable
| Zakatable Assets | Exempt Assets |
|---|---|
| Cash in hand and bank accounts | Primary residence |
| Gold and silver (including jewellery) | Personal vehicle |
| Investments, stocks, and shares | Household furniture and appliances |
| Business stock and inventory | Personal clothing and belongings |
| Money owed to you (receivables) | Tools of your trade |
| Rental income and property held for investment | Debts you owe (deducted from total) |
What this means for you: Zakat applies to productive and liquid wealth, money that could circulate in the economy. Personal-use items are exempt because they serve daily needs, not wealth accumulation. Scholars differ on some categories (like pension funds and crypto), so consult a qualified scholar for your specific situation.
Nisab Threshold Explained
Gold Nisab
87.48 grams of gold (approximately £4,500 to 6,000 depending on current gold prices). This is the more commonly used threshold and is typically higher than silver Nisab.
Silver Nisab
612.36 grams of silver (approximately £350 to 500). Using the silver Nisab means more people qualify to pay Zakat. Many scholars recommend using silver Nisab to benefit more recipients.
Check the current Nisab with your local Islamic authority or a trusted Zakat charity. The value changes with gold and silver prices. This calculator uses a default based on gold Nisab, adjust it to match the current value in your currency.
The Eight Categories of Zakat Recipients
The Quran specifies exactly eight categories of people eligible to receive Zakat (Surah At-Tawbah, 9:60). You can distribute your Zakat to one or more of these groups:
| Category (Arabic) | Who They Are | Modern Example |
|---|---|---|
| Al-Fuqara (the poor) | Those who cannot meet basic needs | Families below the poverty line |
| Al-Masakin (the needy) | Those who have some income but not enough | Working poor who struggle with essentials |
| Amil Zakat (collectors) | Those employed to administer Zakat | Staff at Zakat charities and organisations |
| Mu'allaf (new Muslims) | Those whose hearts are to be reconciled | New converts needing community support |
| Ar-Riqab (freeing captives) | Those in bondage or slavery | Modern anti-trafficking efforts |
| Al-Gharimin (debtors) | Those overwhelmed by debt | People in debt due to medical bills or disaster |
| Fi Sabilillah (God's cause) | Those striving in the path of Allah | Islamic education and community projects |
| Ibn as-Sabil (travellers) | Stranded travellers without resources | Refugees and displaced persons |
What this means for you: Many UK Zakat charities (National Zakat Foundation, Islamic Relief, Muslim Aid) distribute across multiple categories. If you prefer to direct your Zakat yourself, ensure the recipient falls within one of these eight groups.
How to Calculate Your Zakat
The calculation itself is straightforward once you have gathered your figures. The calculator above follows the same four steps:
- Add up your zakatable assets. Cash, bank savings, the value of gold and silver, investments and shares, business stock, and money owed to you that you expect to recover.
- Deduct the debts that are due. Subtract liabilities you currently owe, such as this year's outstanding payments, to reach your net zakatable wealth.
- Compare the net figure to the Nisab. If your net wealth is below the Nisab threshold, no Zakat is due this year. If it is at or above the Nisab, you proceed to the final step.
- Apply 2.5%. Multiply your net zakatable wealth by 0.025. The result is the Zakat due for the year.
What this means for you: the 2.5% rate applies to the whole of your qualifying wealth, not only the amount above the Nisab. The Nisab is a threshold that decides whether Zakat is due, not a tax-free allowance subtracted before the calculation.
When Zakat Becomes Due: The Hawl
Zakat is assessed once every lunar (Hijri) year, a period known as the hawl. Your wealth must have remained at or above the Nisab for a full lunar year, measured from the date it first reached the threshold.
In practice, most people choose a fixed date in the Islamic year and calculate on that same day every year, which keeps things simple and consistent. Many Muslims pick a date in Ramadan, both for convenience and because charity in Ramadan is especially encouraged. Brief dips below the Nisab during the year do not necessarily reset the hawl according to many scholars, but if you are unsure, ask a qualified scholar about your situation.
Gold Jewellery and the Schools of Thought
One of the most common questions is whether Zakat is due on gold jewellery that is worn. This is a genuine point of difference between the schools of jurisprudence, and both positions are well established:
- Hanafi position: all gold and silver is zakatable, including jewellery in regular personal use.
- Shafi'i, Maliki and Hanbali positions: jewellery worn for normal personal adornment, within customary limits, is generally exempt.
Follow the school you adhere to, and enter the value of your gold in the calculator accordingly. Gold held as an investment or a store of value is treated as zakatable across all four schools.
Zakat on Modern Assets
Contemporary wealth raises questions the classical texts did not address directly, and scholars apply the established principles to these new cases. The calculator has fields for them, but the underlying rulings can differ, so treat the following as general guidance rather than a fixed verdict:
| Asset | Common Treatment |
|---|---|
| Pensions | Scholars differ. Some assess Zakat on the accessible portion; others say nothing is due until the funds can be withdrawn. Employer contributions you cannot yet access are generally excluded. |
| Shares and funds | Shares held to trade are zakatable at market value. For long-term holdings, many scholars assess Zakat on the zakatable assets underlying the company. |
| Cryptocurrency | Most contemporary scholars treat it as zakatable wealth at its market value on your Zakat date, much like cash. |
| Mortgage | Usually only the current year's repayments are deducted, not the whole outstanding balance. Some scholars allow deducting the coming twelve months of payments. |
Because these cases vary, confirm the treatment of pensions, shares and similar assets with a qualified scholar or a trusted Zakat charity.
Zakat al-Mal and Zakat al-Fitr
This calculator works out Zakat al-Mal, the annual Zakat on accumulated wealth. It is separate from Zakat al-Fitr, a smaller fixed amount due at the end of Ramadan before the Eid prayer, given on behalf of each member of the household.
Zakat al-Fitr is roughly the cost of one meal per person and is paid whether or not you meet the Nisab, so the two should not be confused when you plan your giving. Remember too that Zakat is an obligation with fixed rules, whereas Sadaqah is voluntary charity that can be given at any time and in any amount.
Related Tools
How to use this tool
Enter your assets, cash, savings, gold, investments
Enter any outstanding debts
Set the Nisab threshold for your region
Common uses
- Calculating your annual Zakat obligation
- Determining if your wealth exceeds the Nisab threshold
- Working out Zakat on combined assets and investments
- Planning charitable giving during Ramadan
- Checking Zakat liability after deducting debts
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is Zakat?
What is the Nisab threshold?
What assets are Zakatable?
When should I calculate Zakat?
Do I pay Zakat on my pension?
Is Zakat due on my mortgage debt?
Do I pay Zakat on gold jewellery?
What about Zakat on cryptocurrency?
Who can receive Zakat?
Can I pay Zakat in advance?
What about Zakat al-Fitr?
Is this a fatwa or religious ruling?
Results are for general informational purposes only and should be checked before use. They are not professional advice. See our Disclaimer and Terms of Service.