| Overview: Gold in India is measured in ratti, karat, and gram. Knowing how to convert between these units and understanding its purity makes it easier to check prices, buy jewellery, or get fair value when selling or taking a gold loan. |
Why Gold Weight Measurements Matter in India
India consumes over 800 tonnes of gold annually, making it one of the world’s largest gold markets, according to the World Gold Council. Yet many Indians struggle with basic gold weight measurements during purchases or loans. Different jewellers use varying units, creating confusion that can impact your financial decisions.
Understanding the Three Gold Weight Measurements
Whether you’re buying jewellery for a wedding or considering a loan against your gold, understanding ratti gold measurements alongside karat and gram conversions prevents costly mistakes.
What is Ratti Gold?
Ratti is India’s traditional gold weighing unit, still widely used by local jewellers and goldsmiths. One ratti equals 0.1215 grams, making it smaller than a gram but larger than milligrams. This ancient measurement system originated during the Mughal period and remains popular in North Indian markets.
Gram: The Global Standard
Grams represent the international standard for gold weight measurements. Most modern jewellers, banks, and digital platforms use grams for transparency and accuracy. When you check gold prices online, they’re quoted per gram, and platforms like Airtel Finance provide easy access to live gold rates and investment options.
Karat: Measuring Gold Purity
Karat indicates gold purity, not weight. Pure gold is 24 karat, while 22 karat gold contains 22 parts gold and 2 parts other metals. The 24 karat gold weight serves as the benchmark for calculating actual gold content in any piece of jewellery.
Converting Between Gold Weighing Units
Accurate conversion between gold weight measurements is essential for investors and jewellers to ensure fair pricing. For instance, Airtel Finance Gold Loans are offered using the per gram method, where the loan amount depends on the purity and weight of your gold.
Basic Conversion Formula
Here’s the standard conversion table for gold weight measurements:
| Unit | Equivalent in Grams | Usage / Context |
| 1 Ratti | 0.1215 g | Traditionally used in India for gemstones and gold. |
| 1 Gram | 1 g | Global standard for gold trading and pricing. |
| 1 Tola | 11.6638 g | Popular in India, Pakistan, and Middle East jewellery markets. |
| 1 Carat | 0.2 g | Used for gemstone weight (not gold). |
| 1 Karat | – | Measures purity of gold (24K = purest form). |
Calculating Gold Value Using Weight and Purity
When considering a gold loan, lenders evaluate based on gram measurements and karat purity for accurate valuation.
Step-by-Step Calculation
- Determine actual weight in grams (convert from ratti if needed).
- Check purity level (18, 22, or 24 karat).
- Calculate pure gold content: (karat/24) × Total weight.
- Apply the current gold rate per gram.
- Factor in making charges and wastage (8-12%).
| Did You Know? Almost all the gold on Earth came from meteorites that bombarded our planet more than 4 billion years ago! |
Tips for Accurate Gold Weight Measurement
Always ensure your gold weighing units are clearly specified in all documentation, whether for loan applications, purchase, or sale.
At Home Verification
- Use a digital weighing scale with 0.01-gram precision.
- Remove stones and non-gold parts before weighing.
- Cross-check with jeweller’s measurements during purchase.
- Keep purchase receipts showing exact weight and purity.
During Transactions
- Insist on gram measurements for transparency.
- Verify purity using hallmark certification.
- Compare rates across multiple dealers.
- Understand the difference between gross and net weight.
Making Informed Gold Decisions
Understanding ratti gold, karat purity, and gram conversions helps you make smarter financial decisions. While grams are the market standard, ratti gold still appears in local trade. For gold loans, lenders rely on accurate weight and purity, and a good CIBIL score improves approval and loan terms. With the Airtel Thanks App, you can track gold rates, manage investments, and access gold loan options easily.
FAQs
1. How many rattis equal one tola of gold?
One tola equals approximately 96.5 rattis, as one tola weighs 11.664 grams and each gram contains 12.5 rattis.
2. Is 24 karat gold weight different from 22 karat gold weight?
No, karat indicates purity, not weight. A 10-gram piece weighs the same regardless of whether it’s 24 karat or 22 karat gold.
3. Which gold weighing units do banks prefer for loans?
Banks and formal lenders prefer gram measurements with hallmark certification for accuracy and standardisation in gold loan processing.
4. Can I convert ratti gold measurements to international standards?
Yes, multiply ratti by 0.1215 to get grams, which aligns with international gold weight measurements.
5. Why do some jewellers still use ratti instead of grams?
Traditional jewellers use ratti gold measurements due to historical practices and customer familiarity, especially in North Indian markets.
