We’ll walk you through each type of wealth step by step. Most people finish in under 2 minutes.
Enter a custom nisab value
Leave blank to use the selected standard value above.
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Include all cash and money you’ve had for one lunar year (approximately 354 days, since ).
Do you own any gold or silver? This includes jewelry, coins, bars, decorative items, or silverware.
Not sure of the value? Current gold price is approximately $86/gram; silver is approximately $0.95/gram.
Do you have any investments or business assets? This includes stocks, retirement accounts, cryptocurrency, business inventory, or rental income.
These amounts will be deducted from your total assets. Only include debts that are due within the next 12 months.
Double-check your numbers before we calculate. Click any value to edit it.
How to Calculate Zakat in 2026
Zakat is one of the Five Pillars of Islam and is an obligatory form of charity that supports those in need. The standard zakat rate is 2.5% of your net zakatable wealth, calculated once a full lunar year (hawl) has passed since your wealth exceeded the nisab threshold.
Our Zakat calculator walks you through each category of zakatable assets (cash, gold and silver, investments, business assets) and then subtracts your qualifying debts to arrive at your net zakatable wealth.
What Is Nisab?
The nisab is the minimum amount of wealth you must possess before zakat becomes obligatory. It’s based on one of two precious metal standards: the gold nisab (equivalent to 87.48 grams of gold) or the silver nisab (equivalent to 612.36 grams of silver). Because the silver nisab sets a lower threshold, more people qualify and most scholars recommend using it as the more cautious and inclusive approach. The calculator above uses today’s current silver and gold prices to calculate the nisab.
Schools of Thought and Zakat
The four major schools of Islamic jurisprudence (madhabs) agree on the core principles of zakat but differ on specific rulings (mostly around jewelry and debt). The Hanafi school takes the most conservative position, including all gold and silver jewelry in zakatable wealth and allowing debt deductions. The Shafi’i school exempts jewelry in regular personal use and generally does not allow debt deductions. The Maliki and Hanbali schools also exempt worn jewelry but allow debt deductions. This calculator adjusts its calculations based on your selected school. There isn’t a “right” school of thought it all depends on which school you follow!
What Assets Are Subject to Zakat?
Zakat generally applies to wealth that is productive or has the potential for growth. This includes cash and bank savings, gold and silver (including jewelry, depending on your school of thought), stocks, mutual funds, and other investments, business inventory/merchandise, rental income, and cryptocurrency. Items that are primarily for personal use like your primary home, cars, clothing, and furniture are generally exempt.
Zakat on Cash and Savings
All cash you hold is subject to zakat. This includes money you’ve set aside for a specific purpose (like a future home purchase or emergency fund) and personal loans you’ve made to others that you expect to be repaid.
Zakat on Gold and Silver
Gold and silver are zakatable in all forms (bars, coins, or jewelry). Whether jewelry you wear regularly is exempt depends on which school of thought you follow (see above for more detail). The Hanafi school includes all jewelry. The Shafi’i, Maliki, and Hanbali schools generally exempt jewelry that is in regular personal use, though jewelry held as an investment or kept in storage is always zakatable.
Zakat on Investments
The current market value of your stocks, mutual funds, ETFs, and similar investments is subject to zakat. For retirement accounts like 401(k)s and IRAs, most scholars advise using the current accessible value or the amount you could withdraw today after accounting for any early withdrawal penalties and taxes (10% penalty on ROTH-IRA early withdrawals and for 401K/IRA it’s a 10% penalty plus income tax federal and state at your rate).
Debts and Zakat
Whether and how debts reduce your zakat calculation depends on your school of thought. The Hanafi, Maliki, and Hanbali schools allow you to deduct debts that are due within the next 12 months including mortgage payments, student loan installments, credit card balances, and bills currently due. The Shafi’i school generally does not allow debt deductions. This calculator automatically adjusts calculations based on your selected school of thought.
FAQs About Zakat
When is zakat due?
Zakat is due once a full lunar year (hawl) has passed since your wealth first exceeded the nisab threshold. Many Muslims choose to calculate and pay their zakat during Ramadan for increased spiritual reward, but the obligation is tied to your personal hawl date, not the Islamic calendar. The lunar new year is 354 days long. The calculator will calculate the lunar new year for you during that step.
What is the zakat rate?
The standard zakat rate is 2.5% (or 1/40th) of your net zakatable wealth that exceeds the nisab threshold. This rate applies uniformly across all categories of zakatable assets.
Is zakat on income or savings?
Zakat is calculated on accumulated savings and wealth, not on income directly. It is assessed on the total wealth you hold at the time your zakat is due.
Do I pay zakat on my house or car?
No. Personal use items like your primary home, your car, clothing, and furniture are not subject to zakat. However, investment properties (like a rental property) are zakatable. A vacation home is not zakatable if you are only using it for personal use.
What if I can’t afford to pay zakat?
If your net wealth is below the nisab threshold, you are not obligated to pay zakat. Zakat exists to help redistribute wealth from those who have it to those who need it most. Which is philosophically very similar to the approach of GiveDirectly.
Can I pay zakat in installments?
Yes, many scholars allow paying zakat in installments, especially if paying the full amount at once would cause financial hardship.
Who can receive zakat?
The Qur’an specifies eight categories of Zakat recipients (Surah At-Tawbah, 9:60): the poor (al-fuqara), the needy (al-masakin), zakat administrators, those whose hearts are to be reconciled (such as new Muslims or those whose goodwill is being strengthened), those in bondage, those in debt, those serving in God’s cause, and wayfarers (stranded travelers in need of help). Organizations like GiveDirectly channel zakat directly to people living in extreme poverty and need (al-fuqara and al-masakin).
What’s the difference between zakat and sadaqah?
Zakat is obligatory charity with specific rules. Muslims must pay 2.5% of their net zakatable wealth, calculated annually, and given to eligible recipients from one of the eight categories. Sadaqah is voluntary charity with no fixed amount, no specific timing, and no restrictions on who can receive it. Both are highly valued in Islam!