What is a "pawn" of gold in Sri Lanka?

A pawn, also called a sovereign, is the traditional Sri Lankan gold weight. One pawn equals 8 grams. Jewellers, pawn shops and most gold price boards quote the price "per pawn".

What does 916 or 22K mean on gold jewellery?

916 (also written 22K or 22 karat) means the item is 91.6% pure gold, the standard for Sri Lankan jewellery, hallmarked under the Sri Lanka Gem and Jewellery Authority scheme. 24K is pure gold; 21K is 87.5%; 18K is 75%.

How is the gold price set in Sri Lanka?

Local prices follow the international spot price converted at the USD/LKR exchange rate, published daily by the Central Bank of Sri Lanka. Shops then add their own margin and making charges, so the price you pay is higher than the indicative rate.

Is the value shown here what a jeweller will pay me?

No. This is an indicative value only. When you sell or pawn gold, the buyer deducts for stones, solder, wear and their margin, so you typically receive below the metal value. Get a quote from the shop before deciding.

How does gold pawning work in Sri Lanka?

A bank or pawn broker lends you a percentage (loan-to-value) of your gold's value and charges monthly interest; you redeem the gold by repaying the advance plus interest within the agreed period. Since 25 May 2026, CBSL caps licensed banks and finance companies at 70% of the gold's value. Terms vary by provider, so always compare.

Where does the rate on this page come from?

It auto-fills from CalcLK's daily indicative gold rate: the international XAU/USD spot price converted at the USD/LKR exchange rate — the same method the Central Bank documents. You can edit it any time to match a jeweller's quote.

Who offers the best gold price, and where should I buy?

We do not rank or recommend sellers — CalcLK is independent of jewellers and banks. The rate shown here is the metal value, which is the floor: shops add making charges, wastage allowances and their margin on top. To find the best deal, compare making charges and the per-gram price across two or three jewellers for the same item.

What interest do Sri Lankan banks charge on gold loans and pawning?

Verified published rates ran about 13.5%–16.5% per year when last checked — the table on this page lists each bank's product, rate and checked date with a link to the official page. CBSL caps the advance at 70% of the gold's value for licensed banks and finance companies; providers set the actual rate and terms.

Gold Calculator Sri Lanka

What is your gold worth today — value it in grams or pawns at any karat, then estimate a pawning advance and redemption total.

What is your gold worth?

Gold weight

1 pawn (sovereign) = 8 grams (the unit Sri Lankan jewellers use).

Karat (purity)

Rate per 22K pawn (Rs.)

Rs. 317,309 per pawn — CalcLK indicative estimate, 2026-10-28

Method reference: CBSL daily gold rates

Use my own rate

Your rate per pawn (Rs.)

Optional — clear the box to use the live indicative rate again.

Indicative gold value

Rs. 317,309

22K price per gram

Rs. 39,664

Pure gold content (91.6%)

7.3 g

8 g (1 pawns) of 22K gold is worth about Rs. 317,309 (metal only).

What would a shop pay me?

Shop deduction %

Making charge %

A shop paying metal value minus those deductions would pay about Rs. 317,309.

Discuss gold & pawning in the community forum →

Gold rate (indicative)

Karat	per gram	per pawn
24K	Rs. 43,258	Rs. 346,062
22K	Rs. 39,664	Rs. 317,310
21K	Rs. 37,888	Rs. 303,107
18K	Rs. 32,476	Rs. 259,806
14K	Rs. 25,331	Rs. 202,649

CalcLK indicative estimate — XAU/USD spot × USD/LKR, as of 2026-10-28. Not a CBSL-published daily rate or a jeweller quote. Metal value only — shops add premiums.

Same weight (8 g) at every karat

24K	Rs. 346,061
22K	Rs. 317,309
21K	Rs. 303,106
18K	Rs. 259,805
14K	Rs. 202,648

Why shop prices differ

This rate = metal value.The worth of the gold itself — the floor every price starts from.
Shops add on top.Making charges, wastage and their margin — so shop prices always run higher.
Compare before you buy.Ask two or three shops for the per-gram price and the making charge.

Loan vs gold growth

Rs. 317,309for 8 g (1 pawns) of 22K gold — pawn or lend against it, repay monthly, and the gold keeps appreciating.

(replaces your gold)

My gold is worth (Rs.)

Rs.

Loan as % of gold value

Loan amount (LKR)

Rs. 222,116

70% of your gold's value.

Loan interest (% per year)

Loan period (months)

Gold price rise per year (your guess)

Add fees (optional)

Pawn / loan fees (Rs.)

Rs.

Valuation fee (Rs.)

Rs.

Loss when selling (%)

Interest is on the remaining balance, charged monthly. Pawn lenders may charge differently — check their terms.

What will you do with the loan money?

You pay 14% per year. Gold grows 8% per year.

Every month you pay Rs. 19,943

You pay Rs. 17,202 to use Rs. 222,116 for 12 months.

−Rs. 17,202 vs just keeping your gold

Gold can fall 30% before it is worth less than the loan.

Assumes you pay the monthly instalments from your pocket, and sell the gold at market value — no making-charge loss unless you fill the fee boxes.

Show full numbers

The loan

Loan amount: Rs. 222,116
Monthly payment: Rs. 19,943
Interest: Rs. 17,202
Total repayment: Rs. 239,318
Months to pay: 12
First → last payment: 29 Nov 2026 → 29 Oct 2027

Your gold

Initial gold value: Rs. 317,309
Growth at 8% per year: +Rs. 25,385
Expected gold value in 12 months: Rs. 342,694

Cost of the loan (interest + fees)Rs. 17,202

Month by month

Month	Total paid	Interest paid	Still owe	Gold worth
0	Rs. 0	Rs. 0	Rs. 222,116	Rs. 317,309
1	Rs. 19,943	Rs. 2,591	Rs. 204,764	Rs. 319,351
2	Rs. 39,886	Rs. 4,980	Rs. 187,210	Rs. 321,405
3	Rs. 59,830	Rs. 7,164	Rs. 169,451	Rs. 323,473
4	Rs. 79,773	Rs. 9,141	Rs. 151,485	Rs. 325,554
5	Rs. 99,716	Rs. 10,909	Rs. 133,309	Rs. 327,649
6	Rs. 119,659	Rs. 12,464	Rs. 114,921	Rs. 329,757
7	Rs. 139,602	Rs. 13,805	Rs. 96,319	Rs. 331,879
8	Rs. 159,545	Rs. 14,928	Rs. 77,499	Rs. 334,014
9	Rs. 179,489	Rs. 15,833	Rs. 58,460	Rs. 336,163
10	Rs. 199,432	Rs. 16,515	Rs. 39,199	Rs. 338,326
11	Rs. 219,375	Rs. 16,972	Rs. 19,713	Rs. 340,503
12	Rs. 239,318	Rs. 17,202	Rs. 0	Rs. 342,694

Move through the loanMonth 12

You still owe

Rs. 0

Gold worth

Rs. 342,694

Interest paid

Rs. 17,202

Net (gold − debt)

Rs. 342,694

What you owe vs what you hold

Growth
Initial gold
Interest
Loan principal

Interest paid vs gold gain over time

Gold gain so far
Interest paid so far
Loan balance

Hover for month-by-month values. The dot marks break-even — where the gold gain catches the interest paid.

Your gold is yours either way — the loan adds the red part (what you still owe).

If gold moves differently…

Examples, not predictions.

Gold falls -5%/yr

Rs. 301,444

Loan cost (whatever gold does): −Rs. 17,202

−Rs. 17,202 vs keeping your gold

Your gold is worth less; the loan cost stays the same.

Your guess 8%/yr

Rs. 342,694

Loan cost (whatever gold does): −Rs. 17,202

−Rs. 17,202 vs keeping your gold

The loan costs the same whatever the gold price does.

Gold rises 15%/yr

Rs. 364,905

Loan cost (whatever gold does): −Rs. 17,202

−Rs. 17,202 vs keeping your gold

Your gold grows — that gain happens with or without the loan.

Three ways to play it

Keep the gold (no loan)

Rs. 342,694

No loan, no cost — the gold just grows.

Pawn & spend the money

Rs. 342,694

You get Rs. 222,116 to spend; the loan costs Rs. 17,202.

−Rs. 17,202 vs keeping your gold

Pawn & buy more gold

Rs. 343,261

Your gold + the bought gold ≈ Rs. 582,579 before payoff; repaying Rs. 239,318 leaves what's above.

+Rs. 568 vs keeping your gold

Scenario projection, not a forecast or advice — gold prices can fall, loan terms vary by lender, and appreciation is an assumption you set.

Estimate only, not financial advice.

Pawning estimate

Rs. 317,309for 8 g of 22K gold from the calculator above

Loan-to-value (%)

Licensed lenders advance up to 70% of the value — the legal cap.

Interest (% per year)

Loan period (months)

You get Rs. 222,116 today and pay Rs. 2,776 interest every month until you redeem.

Interest-only — you pay 15% per year on the advance as monthly interest and repay the advance itself at the end. There is no monthly principal payment.

Cash advance (estimate)

Rs. 222,116

Interest per month

Rs. 2,776

Total to redeem

Rs. 238,775

How it plays out

Day 0You receive Rs. 222,116
MonthlyYou pay Rs. 2,776 interest
Month 6Pay Rs. 222,116 back and take your gold home

Interest = 15% per year of your advance. Period: 6 months.

If you miss the deadline

Ask the lender about the grace period and what happens to the gold if you do not redeem or renew in time — rules differ by lender and product.

Cash you receive todayRs. 222,116

Interest per monthRs. 2,776

Total interest (6 months)Rs. 16,659

Interest as a share of the advance7.5%

Total to redeemRs. 238,775

Estimate only, not a loan offer. Licensed banks and finance companies cannot advance more than 70% of the gold's value under CBSL rules — providers set the actual rate and terms.

Published bank pawning rates

The annual interest each bank publishes for gold loans and pawning. Products differ by tenure and eligibility, so each row shows the product and when its rate was checked.

Bank & product	Interest (% per year)	Max loan	Interest / month on your advance	Total interest (6 mo)	Checked / effective
Pawning — 3 months	13.50%	≤70%*	Rs. 2,499	Rs. 14,993	eff. 2026-06-05checked 2026-10-28
Pawning — general	13.50%	≤70%*	Rs. 2,499	Rs. 14,993	eff. 2026-06-05checked 2026-10-28
Pawning — 6 months	14.00%	≤70%*	Rs. 2,591	Rs. 15,548	eff. 2026-06-05checked 2026-10-28
Pawning advance (Ran Surekum)	15.00%	≤70%*	Rs. 2,776	Rs. 16,659	checked 2026-10-28
Pawning — 6 months (special)	15.00%	≤70%*	Rs. 2,776	Rs. 16,659	eff. 2026-06-05checked 2026-10-28
Gold Loan — listed account groups — Listed account groups	16.00%	≤70%*	Rs. 2,962	Rs. 17,769	checked 2026-10-28
Gold Loan — normal customers — Normal pawning customers	16.50%	≤70%*	Rs. 3,054	Rs. 18,325	checked 2026-10-28

*CBSL Direction No. 02 of 2026 caps gold-collateral lending at 70% of value for licensed banks and finance companies.

We could not verify a published rate for: DFCC Bank, National Savings Bank, Hatton National Bank, Sampath Bank

Rates change often and vary by product, tenure and eligibility — confirm with the bank before deciding. Clicking a bank fills that rate into the calculator above.

Karat price reference

At your rate of Rs. 317,309 per 22K pawn:

Karat	Purity	per gram	per pawn
24K	99.9%	Rs. 43,258	Rs. 346,061
22K	91.6%	Rs. 39,664	Rs. 317,309
21K	87.5%	Rs. 37,888	Rs. 303,106
18K	75.0%	Rs. 32,476	Rs. 259,805
14K	58.5%	Rs. 25,331	Rs. 202,648

A pawn, also called a sovereign, is 8 grams. Gold prices in Sri Lanka are usually quoted per pawn of 22K (916) gold.

916 means 91.6% pure gold — the Sri Lankan jewellery standard, hallmarked under the Sri Lanka Gem and Jewellery Authority scheme.

Indicative metal values only. Jeweller prices include making charges and margins; resale offers deduct for stones, solder and wear.

Get Gold Rate Updates

Gold prices move daily — get notified of major market changes

Example: value of 1 pawn of 22K gold

Sample Inputs

Weight1 pawn (8 g)

Karat22K (916)

Rate per 22K pawnRs. 300,000

Weight in pawns8 g ÷ 8 g1 pawn

22K price per gramRs. 300,000 ÷ 8 gRs. 37,500 /g

Value at 22K8 g × Rs. 37,500Rs. 300,000

Indicative gold valueRs. 300,000

What This Calculator Does

This calculator works out what your gold is worth in Sri Lankan rupees by grams or pawns at any karat, and estimates a pawning advance, monthly interest and total to redeem.

Value gold in grams or pawns (1 pawn = 8 g)
Supports 24K, 22K (916), 21K, 18K and 14K
Rate entered per 22K pawn (the LK convention)
Pawning / gold-loan estimate: advance, interest, redemption total
Compare published bank gold-loan rates side by side
Works for jewellery, coins and biscuits

Inputs and Assumptions

WeightGold weight in grams or pawns (e.g., 1 pawn)

KaratPurity — 22K is the LK standard (e.g., 22K / 916)

Rate per pawnToday's 22K rate per pawn in LKR (e.g., Rs. 300,000)

Assumptions

- Rate is the indicative metal value, not a jeweller quote
- Making charges and margins are not included
- Pawning interest is simple monthly % on the advance
- LTV presets are typical ranges, not provider offers

Frequently Asked Questions

Related Resources

Currency Converter Exchange Rates EMI Calculator CBSL Daily Gold Rates

Last updated: October 2026

Data updated October 2026

Sources & methodology

Part of the Gold collection

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Gold Calculator Sri Lanka

What is your gold worth?

Loan vs gold growth

The loan

Your gold

What you owe vs what you hold

Interest paid vs gold gain over time

If gold moves differently…

Three ways to play it

Budget — how much gold can you buy?

Enter your budget

Pawning estimate

Published bank pawning rates

Karat price reference

Example: value of 1 pawn of 22K gold

What This Calculator Does

Inputs and Assumptions

Frequently Asked Questions

Related Resources

Sources & methodology

How we calculate

CBSL daily gold rates (method reference)

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