Gold Bar Prices by Size
$4,291.00 1 oz gold bar, melt value
10 oz bar $42,910 · 1 kilo bar $137,945
Gold spot $4,291.00/oz · updated
Quick answer: A 1 oz gold bar contains $4,291.00 of gold at today's spot price, a 10 oz bar $42,910, and a 1 kilo bar $137,945. Those are melt values. Dealers sell bars for spot plus a premium, and that premium is highest per ounce on the smallest bars and lowest on the largest.
| Bar | Troy oz | Grams | Melt value |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 g | 0.0322 | 1.00 | $137.95 |
| 2.5 g | 0.0804 | 2.50 | $344.86 |
| 5 g | 0.1608 | 5.00 | $689.73 |
| 10 g | 0.3215 | 10.00 | $1,379.45 |
| ½ oz | 0.5000 | 15.55 | $2,145.29 |
| 1 oz | 1.0000 | 31.10 | $4,290.57 |
| 50 g | 1.6075 | 50.00 | $6,897.25 |
| 100 g | 3.2151 | 100.00 | $13,795 |
| 10 oz | 10.0000 | 311.03 | $42,906 |
| 1 kg | 32.1507 | 1,000.00 | $137,945 |
The premium curve: why bigger bars are cheaper per ounce
Every bar costs spot plus a premium, but the premium isn't a fixed percentage. It follows a curve that falls steeply as size rises and then flattens out.
The reason is fixed costs. Whatever the bar's size, someone has to refine the gold to .9999, cast or strike it, stamp the refiner's mark and serial number, assay it, seal it in packaging, insure it and ship it. Most of those steps cost about the same for a 5-gram bar as for a 100-gram bar. Spread over 5 grams, they're a large share of the price. Spread over 100 grams, they're small.
That gives a consistent ladder:
- 1 g – 10 g bars: the steepest premiums per ounce. On a 1-gram bar, fabrication and packaging can be a large fraction of the gold's value. These are gift, sampling and small-savings products.
- 1/2 oz – 1 oz bars: premiums drop sharply. The one-ounce bar is the most widely traded size among private buyers.
- 50 g – 100 g bars: a little lower again, popular in Europe and Asia as mid-sized savings units.
- 10 oz bars: among the lowest premiums for US buyers, and still easy to handle.
- 1 kg bars: the lowest premium per ounce generally available to private buyers. See gold price per kilo.
How to compare two bars: divide each total price by the troy ounces of gold inside, then subtract today's spot price ($4,291.00). The result is the premium per ounce, and it's the only fair way to compare a 5-gram bar against a 1-ounce bar.
Premiums move on their own. When demand for small bars surges, their premiums can widen sharply even while the gold price is flat. The ladder's shape stays the same, but its height changes, so compare on the day you buy.
Minted vs cast bars, assay cards and refiners
Cast bars are made by pouring molten gold into a mold. They have rounded edges, a slightly rippled surface and simple stamped markings. They cost less to make, so they often carry slightly lower premiums, especially at larger sizes. Most kilo bars and all Good Delivery bars are cast.
Minted bars are cut from rolled gold strip and struck in a press, like a coin. They have sharp edges, a mirror-like finish and detailed designs. They cost more to produce and are the norm for small sizes.
Assay cards. Small and mid-sized minted bars usually come sealed in a tamper-evident card that certifies weight, purity, the refiner and a serial number matching the bar. Keep bars sealed. A bar still in its original assay card is quicker and easier to sell, while an opened one may need to be re-tested.
Refiners. The names that matter most are refiners accredited by the London Bullion Market Association, whose Good Delivery list sets the global standard. Familiar examples include PAMP, Valcambi and Argor-Heraeus in Switzerland, and government mints such as the Royal Canadian Mint and the Perth Mint. A bar from a recognized refiner sells more easily than an unbranded or private-label bar of the same weight, and at a better price. When a deal on a bar looks unusually cheap, the refiner's name is the first thing to check.
Counterfeits. Fake bars exist, usually tungsten-cored because tungsten has almost the same density as gold. Buying from established dealers and keeping bars in their original assay cards is the main protection. Dealers use tools like ultrasonic and electromagnetic testers to check bars without damaging them.
Worked examples
1. A 5-gram bar. 5 g × 99.99% = 4.9995 g = 0.1607 troy oz, worth $689.73 in gold. If a dealer priced it 12% above that, at $772.49, the premium would work out to $514.92 for every troy ounce of gold inside. That's the number to compare against the premium on a one-ounce bar.
2. A 1 oz bar vs a 1 oz coin. Both contain $4,291.00 of gold. The coin usually costs a little more but can be easier to sell. The bar is the cheaper way to buy the same weight.
3. Ten 1 oz bars vs one 10 oz bar. Identical gold content ($42,910). The single bar usually carries a lower total premium. The ten small bars give you flexibility to sell in pieces.
Related pages
Gold price per ounce · Per gram · Per kilo · Per pennyweight · How to buy gold bullion · Gold coin melt value calculator
FAQ
How much is a 1 oz gold bar worth today?
$4,291.00 in gold content at the spot price as of September 23, 2026. Expect to pay a premium above that when buying.
What size gold bar is best to buy?
For most private buyers, one-ounce or ten-ounce bars balance a low premium per ounce with ease of resale. Smaller bars cost more per ounce. Kilo bars are the cheapest per ounce but the hardest to sell in part.
Are gold bars pure gold?
Modern bullion bars are typically .9999 fine, often labeled "999.9". Good Delivery bars must be at least .995.
Are gold bars IRA-eligible?
Many are, if they meet the IRS purity standard and come from an approved refiner. They must then be held by an approved depository, not at home. See how to buy gold bullion.
Why are small gold bars so expensive?
The cost of refining, striking, assaying and packaging is almost the same regardless of size, so on a tiny bar it's a large share of the price.
Data sources: Spot price via api.gold-api.com · COMEX futures (GC=F) via Yahoo Finance. Prices are for informational purposes only and may be delayed. Figures on this page were generated . Gold is quoted in US dollars per troy ounce.