What Does 916 Mean on Gold?
916 on gold means it is 91.6% pure gold — 22 karat gold. It is the most common purity for jewellery in India, Pakistan, the Gulf, Singapore and Malaysia, and the purity of gold sovereigns and Krugerrands. Today 1 gram of 916 gold contains $114.17 of gold (₹10,879), Oct 30, 2026, 21:55 UTC.
916 gold value today
| 10 g | $1,142 |
|---|---|
| 1 tola (11.66 g) | $1,332 |
| 1 troy oz (31.1 g) | $3,551 |
| 8 g (sovereign / pavan) | $913 |
Where you'll see 916
- Most jewellery in India, Pakistan, the Gulf, Singapore and Malaysia
- Indian BIS hallmark "22K916"
- Gold sovereigns, Krugerrands and American Gold Eagles (91.67%)
- One of the UK's six legal gold standards
Also stamped: 22K, 22K916, 917, 916.7, 22KT, 22 ct, KDM 916 (older Indian pieces).
Compared with its neighbours: 958 (23K) has 4.2 percentage points more gold, $119.40 per gram. 875 (21K) has 4.1 percentage points less gold, $109.06 per gram.
Gold purity marks and what 1 gram is worth today
| Mark | Karat | Gold content | Gold in 1 g today | Where you'll see it |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 999.9 | 24K | 99.99% | $124.63 | Investment bars from 1 g to 1 kg |
| 999 | 24K | 99.9% | $124.51 | Gold bars and coins |
| 995 | 24K | 99.5% | $124.02 | Large bars traded between banks (the London Good Delivery minimum is 99.5%) |
| 990 | 24K | 99.0% | $123.39 | Chinese and Hong Kong jewellery marked 足金 ("full gold"), which must be at least 99.0% gold |
| 958 | 23K | 95.8% | $119.40 | Indian jewellery hallmarked "23K958" by BIS |
| 916 | 22K | 91.6% | $114.17 | Most jewellery in India, Pakistan, the Gulf, Singapore and Malaysia |
| 875 | 21K | 87.5% | $109.06 | The most popular jewellery gold in Saudi Arabia, Egypt and much of the Middle East |
| 833 | 20K | 83.3% | $103.82 | Indian jewellery hallmarked "20K833" by BIS |
| 750 | 18K | 75.0% | $93.48 | Fine jewellery worldwide, especially diamond and gem-set pieces |
| 585 | 14K | 58.5% | $72.91 | Most jewellery sold in the US, Canada, Russia and much of Europe |
| 500 | 12K | 50.0% | $62.32 | The lowest permitted gold standard in the UAE |
| 417 | 10K | 41.7% | $51.97 | Budget jewellery and class rings in the US and Canada |
| 375 | 9K | 37.5% | $46.74 | The UK, Ireland, Australia and Canada |
| 333 | 8K | 33.3% | $41.50 | Germany and parts of Central Europe, mostly older and inexpensive jewellery |
916 Gold: FAQ
What does 916 mean on gold?
It is the fineness, in parts per thousand of pure gold: 916 means 91.6% of the metal is gold, which is 22K. It is the most common purity for jewellery in India, Pakistan, the Gulf, Singapore and Malaysia, and the purity of gold sovereigns and Krugerrands.
How much is 916 gold worth per gram today?
About $114.17 of gold per gram (₹10,879; ₹1,08,795 per 10 g), Oct 30, 2026, 21:55 UTC, at the international price. A shop adds making charges and taxes when you buy; a buyer deducts a margin when you sell. Switch the currency in the table on this page.
Is 916 gold real gold?
Yes. 916 is solid 22K gold: 91.6% pure gold, with the rest usually copper and silver for strength. "916" on its own is a purity mark; in India a genuine hallmark also has the BIS logo and a six-digit HUID.
What is the difference between 916 and KDM gold?
KDM refers to cadmium solder once used to join Indian 22K jewellery; it says nothing reliable about purity and cadmium solder is now banned for health reasons. Today the guarantee is the BIS hallmark: "22K916" plus a HUID.
Is 916 the same as 917?
Yes. 22 ÷ 24 is 91.67%, which some countries round to 917 and others to 916; coins like the sovereign are struck at 916.7.
Is 916 gold hallmarked?
The number alone is a purity mark, which in some countries the maker stamps and in others an assay office does. A full hallmark adds an independent mark: in India the BIS logo and a six-digit HUID, in the UK an assay office mark and the sponsor's mark. See hallmark rules by country.
Related
Gold values use the live international price (Oct 30, 2026, 21:55 UTC). A stamp is the maker's or assay office's claim; only a test (XRF or fire assay) shows what a piece contains. Hallmarking rules by country: how to check gold purity.