<p>An ounce of silver weighs 31.1035 grams. That is because precious metals are measured in troy ounces. Standard daily ounces, also known as avoirdupois ounces, weigh 28.35 grams.</p>
<p>According to the <a href="https://www.nist.gov/document/2026-nist-handbook-44-appendix-c">NIST Handbook 44 unit tables</a>, one troy ounce equals exactly 31.1034768 grams. That means troy ounces weigh about 2.75 grams more than the standard ounce.</p>
<p>Here are the key conversions, all drawn from <a href="https://www.nist.gov/document/2026-nist-handbook-44-appendix-c">NIST Handbook 44</a>:</p>
<ul>
<li>1 troy ounce = 31.1035 grams</li>
<li>1 gram = 0.0322 troy ounces</li>
<li>1 kilogram = 32.15 troy ounces</li>
<li>1 troy ounce = 480 grains = 20 pennyweights</li>
</ul>
<p>This distinction matters every time you buy, sell, or weigh silver. Both the <a href="https://www.lbma.org.uk/publications/the-otc-guide/the-price">LBMA</a> and the <a href="https://www.cmegroup.com/markets/metals/precious/silver.contractSpecs.html">CME Group</a> quote precious metals prices per troy ounce, so using the wrong ounce would throw off your calculations by almost 10%.</p>
<h2>Troy Ounce vs. Standard Ounce: Why 28.35 Grams Is the Wrong Answer</h2>
<p>The United States uses two different ounces in daily life. The standard ounce, formally called the avoirdupois ounce, appears on food labels and postage scales. The troy ounce is reserved for precious metals, most frequently seen in gold and silver.</p>
<p>According to <a href="https://www.britannica.com/science/troy-weight">Britannica</a>, troy units have been used to weigh precious metals since the Middle Ages. Many believe it takes its name from the medieval French city of Troyes, a major trading hub. The modern bullion coin system retained that measurement system in deference to tradition.</p>
<h3>Same Grain, Different Count</h3>
<p>Both ounces are built from the same small unit of measurement, called the grain. <a href="https://www.nist.gov/document/2026-nist-handbook-44-appendix-c">NIST</a> defines one grain as exactly 64.79891 milligrams in both systems. The chief difference is how many grains each ounce contains.</p>
<p>A troy ounce contains 480 grains, which equals 31.1034768 grams, while a standard ounce contains 437.5 grains, which equals 28.349523125 grams. Because both values come from an exact definition, the troy figure is precise rather than a rounded estimate. As a result, a troy ounce is approximately 9.7% heavier than a standard ounce.</p>
<div class="mt-8 flow-root">
<div class="-mx-4 -my-2 overflow-x-auto sm:-mx-6 lg:-mx-8">
<div class="inline-block min-w-full py-2 align-middle sm:px-6 lg:px-8">
<div class="overflow-hidden rounded-lg border border-slate-800 w-full">
<table class="min-w-full divide-y divide-slate-300 not-prose">
<thead class="bg-slate-800 text-white">
<tr class="divide-x divide-slate-200">
<th class="p-3 text-left text-sm font-semibold">Unit</th>
<th class="p-3 text-left text-sm font-semibold">Troy</th>
<th class="p-3 text-left text-sm font-semibold">Standard (Avoirdupois)</th>
</tr>
</thead>
<tbody class="divide-y divide-slate-200 bg-white">
<tr class="divide-x divide-slate-200 even:bg-slate-50">
<td class="p-3 text-sm text-slate-700">Grains per ounce</td>
<td class="p-3 text-sm text-slate-700">480</td>
<td class="p-3 text-sm text-slate-700">437.5</td>
</tr>
<tr class="divide-x divide-slate-200 even:bg-slate-50">
<td class="p-3 text-sm text-slate-700">Grams per ounce</td>
<td class="p-3 text-sm text-slate-700">31.1035</td>
<td class="p-3 text-sm text-slate-700">28.3495</td>
</tr>
<tr class="divide-x divide-slate-200 even:bg-slate-50">
<td class="p-3 text-sm text-slate-700">Ounces per pound</td>
<td class="p-3 text-sm text-slate-700">12</td>
<td class="p-3 text-sm text-slate-700">16</td>
</tr>
<tr class="divide-x divide-slate-200 even:bg-slate-50">
<td class="p-3 text-sm text-slate-700">Grams per pound</td>
<td class="p-3 text-sm text-slate-700">373.24</td>
<td class="p-3 text-sm text-slate-700">453.59</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<p><em>Source: <a href="https://www.nist.gov/document/2026-nist-handbook-44-appendix-c">NIST Handbook 44, Appendix C</a>.</em></p>
<h3>How Many Ounces Are in a Pound of Silver?</h3>
<p>Here is the surprising part: although the troy ounce is heavier, the troy pound is actually lighter, because it contains only 12 ounces instead of 16. Based on <a href="https://www.nist.gov/document/2026-nist-handbook-44-appendix-c">NIST’s conversion tables</a>, a standard pound of silver equals 14.58 troy ounces, while a troy pound equals exactly 12 troy ounces. If someone offers to sell you “a pound of silver,” it is worth asking which pound they mean before you agree on a price.</p>
<h2>Silver Ounces to Grams Conversion Chart</h2>
<p>To convert troy ounces into grams, multiply the number of ounces by 31.1035. Conversely, you can convert grams into troy ounces by dividing by the same number. The chart below handles the math for the most common sizes, ranging from small fractional coins to large investment bars.</p>
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<div class="-mx-4 -my-2 overflow-x-auto sm:-mx-6 lg:-mx-8">
<div class="inline-block min-w-full py-2 align-middle sm:px-6 lg:px-8">
<div class="overflow-hidden rounded-lg border border-slate-800 w-full">
<table class="min-w-full divide-y divide-slate-300 not-prose">
<thead class="bg-slate-800 text-white">
<tr class="divide-x divide-slate-200">
<th class="p-3 text-left text-sm font-semibold">Troy Ounces</th>
<th class="p-3 text-left text-sm font-semibold">Grams</th>
<th class="p-3 text-left text-sm font-semibold">Kilograms</th>
<th class="p-3 text-left text-sm font-semibold">Standard Pounds</th>
</tr>
</thead>
<tbody class="divide-y divide-slate-200 bg-white">
<tr class="divide-x divide-slate-200 even:bg-slate-50">
<td class="p-3 text-sm text-slate-700">1/10</td>
<td class="p-3 text-sm text-slate-700">3.11</td>
<td class="p-3 text-sm text-slate-700">0.003</td>
<td class="p-3 text-sm text-slate-700">0.007</td>
</tr>
<tr class="divide-x divide-slate-200 even:bg-slate-50">
<td class="p-3 text-sm text-slate-700">1/4</td>
<td class="p-3 text-sm text-slate-700">7.78</td>
<td class="p-3 text-sm text-slate-700">0.008</td>
<td class="p-3 text-sm text-slate-700">0.017</td>
</tr>
<tr class="divide-x divide-slate-200 even:bg-slate-50">
<td class="p-3 text-sm text-slate-700">1/2</td>
<td class="p-3 text-sm text-slate-700">15.55</td>
<td class="p-3 text-sm text-slate-700">0.016</td>
<td class="p-3 text-sm text-slate-700">0.034</td>
</tr>
<tr class="divide-x divide-slate-200 even:bg-slate-50">
<td class="p-3 text-sm text-slate-700">1</td>
<td class="p-3 text-sm text-slate-700">31.10</td>
<td class="p-3 text-sm text-slate-700">0.031</td>
<td class="p-3 text-sm text-slate-700">0.069</td>
</tr>
<tr class="divide-x divide-slate-200 even:bg-slate-50">
<td class="p-3 text-sm text-slate-700">2</td>
<td class="p-3 text-sm text-slate-700">62.21</td>
<td class="p-3 text-sm text-slate-700">0.062</td>
<td class="p-3 text-sm text-slate-700">0.137</td>
</tr>
<tr class="divide-x divide-slate-200 even:bg-slate-50">
<td class="p-3 text-sm text-slate-700">5</td>
<td class="p-3 text-sm text-slate-700">155.52</td>
<td class="p-3 text-sm text-slate-700">0.156</td>
<td class="p-3 text-sm text-slate-700">0.343</td>
</tr>
<tr class="divide-x divide-slate-200 even:bg-slate-50">
<td class="p-3 text-sm text-slate-700">10</td>
<td class="p-3 text-sm text-slate-700">311.03</td>
<td class="p-3 text-sm text-slate-700">0.311</td>
<td class="p-3 text-sm text-slate-700">0.686</td>
</tr>
<tr class="divide-x divide-slate-200 even:bg-slate-50">
<td class="p-3 text-sm text-slate-700">50</td>
<td class="p-3 text-sm text-slate-700">1,555.17</td>
<td class="p-3 text-sm text-slate-700">1.555</td>
<td class="p-3 text-sm text-slate-700">3.429</td>
</tr>
<tr class="divide-x divide-slate-200 even:bg-slate-50">
<td class="p-3 text-sm text-slate-700">100</td>
<td class="p-3 text-sm text-slate-700">3,110.35</td>
<td class="p-3 text-sm text-slate-700">3.110</td>
<td class="p-3 text-sm text-slate-700">6.857</td>
</tr>
<tr class="divide-x divide-slate-200 even:bg-slate-50">
<td class="p-3 text-sm text-slate-700">1,000</td>
<td class="p-3 text-sm text-slate-700">31,103.48</td>
<td class="p-3 text-sm text-slate-700">31.103</td>
<td class="p-3 text-sm text-slate-700">68.571</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<p><em>The figures in this chart are calculated from <a href="https://www.nist.gov/document/2026-nist-handbook-44-appendix-c">NIST conversion factors</a>.</em></p>
<p>A <a href="https://www.moneymetals.com/measurement/how-many-grams-in-1-oz-of-gold">1 oz gold coin also weighs 31.1035 grams</a> because every precious metal uses the same troy ounce. The metal may change, but the measurement does not.</p>
<h3>Silver Gram Bars to Troy Ounces</h3>
<p>Many refiners also produce silver bars in metric sizes, and you can browse the available options in our <a href="https://www.moneymetals.com/buy/silver/bars/silver-gram-bars">silver gram bars</a> section. The following table shows each common gram size compares to troy ounces.</p>
<div class="mt-8 flow-root">
<div class="-mx-4 -my-2 overflow-x-auto sm:-mx-6 lg:-mx-8">
<div class="inline-block min-w-full py-2 align-middle sm:px-6 lg:px-8">
<div class="overflow-hidden rounded-lg border border-slate-800 w-full">
<table class="min-w-full divide-y divide-slate-300 not-prose">
<thead class="bg-slate-800 text-white">
<tr class="divide-x divide-slate-200">
<th class="p-3 text-left text-sm font-semibold">Grams</th>
<th class="p-3 text-left text-sm font-semibold">Troy Ounces</th>
</tr>
</thead>
<tbody class="divide-y divide-slate-200 bg-white">
<tr class="divide-x divide-slate-200 even:bg-slate-50">
<td class="p-3 text-sm text-slate-700">1</td>
<td class="p-3 text-sm text-slate-700">0.032</td>
</tr>
<tr class="divide-x divide-slate-200 even:bg-slate-50">
<td class="p-3 text-sm text-slate-700">5</td>
<td class="p-3 text-sm text-slate-700">0.161</td>
</tr>
<tr class="divide-x divide-slate-200 even:bg-slate-50">
<td class="p-3 text-sm text-slate-700">10</td>
<td class="p-3 text-sm text-slate-700">0.322</td>
</tr>
<tr class="divide-x divide-slate-200 even:bg-slate-50">
<td class="p-3 text-sm text-slate-700">20</td>
<td class="p-3 text-sm text-slate-700">0.643</td>
</tr>
<tr class="divide-x divide-slate-200 even:bg-slate-50">
<td class="p-3 text-sm text-slate-700">50</td>
<td class="p-3 text-sm text-slate-700">1.608</td>
</tr>
<tr class="divide-x divide-slate-200 even:bg-slate-50">
<td class="p-3 text-sm text-slate-700">100</td>
<td class="p-3 text-sm text-slate-700">3.215</td>
</tr>
<tr class="divide-x divide-slate-200 even:bg-slate-50">
<td class="p-3 text-sm text-slate-700">250</td>
<td class="p-3 text-sm text-slate-700">8.038</td>
</tr>
<tr class="divide-x divide-slate-200 even:bg-slate-50">
<td class="p-3 text-sm text-slate-700">500</td>
<td class="p-3 text-sm text-slate-700">16.075</td>
</tr>
<tr class="divide-x divide-slate-200 even:bg-slate-50">
<td class="p-3 text-sm text-slate-700">1,000 (1 kilo)</td>
<td class="p-3 text-sm text-slate-700">32.151</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<p><em>The figures in this chart are calculated from <a href="https://www.nist.gov/document/2026-nist-handbook-44-appendix-c">NIST conversion factors</a>.</em></p>
<p>Notice that 30 grams of silver equals only 0.96 troy ounces. That falls just short of a full ounce, while a 1-kilo bar contains just over 32 troy ounces. Our guide to <a href="https://www.moneymetals.com/measurement/how-many-troy-ounces-in-a-kilo">how many troy ounces are in a kilo</a> explains kilo bars in more detail.</p>
<h2>How Much Should a 1 oz Silver Coin Weigh? Coin Weight vs. Pure Silver</h2>
<p>A coin’s total weight and its silver content are two separate measurements. Mixing them up can lead to notable errors in silver math.</p>
<p>Total weight, sometimes called gross weight, includes everything in the coin. In contrast, pure silver content counts only the silver itself. Since each mint publishes these figures a little differently, it is often best to read the official specifications closely.</p>
<div class="mt-8 flow-root">
<div class="-mx-4 -my-2 overflow-x-auto sm:-mx-6 lg:-mx-8">
<div class="inline-block min-w-full py-2 align-middle sm:px-6 lg:px-8">
<div class="overflow-hidden rounded-lg border border-slate-800 w-full">
<table class="min-w-full divide-y divide-slate-300 not-prose">
<thead class="bg-slate-800 text-white">
<tr class="divide-x divide-slate-200">
<th class="p-3 text-left text-sm font-semibold">Coin</th>
<th class="p-3 text-left text-sm font-semibold">Total Weight</th>
<th class="p-3 text-left text-sm font-semibold">Fineness</th>
<th class="p-3 text-left text-sm font-semibold">Pure Silver</th>
<th class="p-3 text-left text-sm font-semibold">Diameter</th>
</tr>
</thead>
<tbody class="divide-y divide-slate-200 bg-white">
<tr class="divide-x divide-slate-200 even:bg-slate-50">
<td class="p-3 text-sm text-slate-700"><a href="https://www.moneymetals.com/buy/silver/coins/american-silver-eagle">American Silver Eagle</a></td>
<td class="p-3 text-sm text-slate-700">31.103 g</td>
<td class="p-3 text-sm text-slate-700">.999</td>
<td class="p-3 text-sm text-slate-700">31.07 g</td>
<td class="p-3 text-sm text-slate-700">40.6 mm</td>
</tr>
<tr class="divide-x divide-slate-200 even:bg-slate-50">
<td class="p-3 text-sm text-slate-700"><a href="https://www.moneymetals.com/buy/silver/coins/canadian-silver-maple-leaf">Canadian Silver Maple Leaf</a></td>
<td class="p-3 text-sm text-slate-700">31.11 g</td>
<td class="p-3 text-sm text-slate-700">.9999</td>
<td class="p-3 text-sm text-slate-700">31.11 g</td>
<td class="p-3 text-sm text-slate-700">38 mm</td>
</tr>
<tr class="divide-x divide-slate-200 even:bg-slate-50">
<td class="p-3 text-sm text-slate-700"><a href="https://www.moneymetals.com/buy/silver/coins/silver-britannia">British Silver Britannia</a></td>
<td class="p-3 text-sm text-slate-700">Not listed by the Royal Mint</td>
<td class="p-3 text-sm text-slate-700">.999</td>
<td class="p-3 text-sm text-slate-700">31.10 g (1 troy oz)</td>
<td class="p-3 text-sm text-slate-700">38.61 mm</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<p><em>Sources: <a href="https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/31/5112">31 U.S.C. § 5112(e)</a> and the <a href="https://www.usmint.gov/coins-precious-metal-coins/bullion-coin-programs/">U.S. Mint</a> for the Silver Eagle; the <a href="https://www.mint.ca/en/shop/coins/2024/2024-5-1-oz-9999-pure-silver-coin-sml-bullion">Royal Canadian Mint</a> for the Maple Leaf; <a href="https://www.royalmint.com/invest/bullion/bullion-coins/silver-coins/bb26s1c-britannia-2026-1oz-silver-bullion-coin/">The Royal Mint</a> for the Britannia. Pure silver equals total weight multiplied by fineness.</em></p>
<h3>Three Mints, Three Ways to Say "One Ounce"</h3>
<p>The <a href="https://www.usmint.gov/coins-precious-metal-coins/bullion-coin-programs/">U.S. Mint</a> lists the American Silver Eagle at 1.000 troy ounce (31.103 grams) of 99.9% silver. Multiplying those figures shows that the coin contains about 31.07 grams of pure silver, or roughly 0.999 troy ounces.</p>
<p>By comparison, the <a href="https://www.mint.ca/en/shop/coins/2024/2024-5-1-oz-9999-pure-silver-coin-sml-bullion">Royal Canadian Mint</a> lists the Silver Maple Leaf at 31.11 grams of 99.99% silver. That works out to roughly 31.11 grams of pure silver, slightly more than one troy ounce.</p>
<p><a href="https://www.royalmint.com/invest/bullion/bullion-coins/silver-coins/bb26s1c-britannia-2026-1oz-silver-bullion-coin/">The Royal Mint</a> takes yet another approach, listing the Britannia by its pure metal content of 1 troy ounce at 999 fineness without publishing a total weight.</p>
<p>The difference in pure silver across all three coins amounts to 0.035 grams. That is far too small to affect a coin’s value in any meaningful way. The comparison does clear up a frequent error, though: a .999 coin that weighs 31.1035 grams cannot also contain 31.1035 grams of pure silver. This is because 0.1% of its weight is something other than silver.</p>
<p>Our guide to the <a href="https://www.moneymetals.com/bullion/american-silver-eagle-vs-canadian-silver-maple-leaf">American Silver Eagle vs. Canadian Silver Maple Leaf</a> provides a closer look at how the Silver Eagle and Maple Leaf compare. Take a look if you’re unsure which coin you want to buy.</p>
<h2>Grams of Pure Silver per Ounce, by Fineness</h2>
<p>Fineness describes what portion of an item is pure silver. It is usually expressed as a decimal like .999 or .925. To calculate the pure silver in one troy ounce of any material, multiply 31.1035 grams by its fineness. This method works equally well for bullion, sterling silverware, and older U.S. coins.</p>
<div class="mt-8 flow-root">
<div class="-mx-4 -my-2 overflow-x-auto sm:-mx-6 lg:-mx-8">
<div class="inline-block min-w-full py-2 align-middle sm:px-6 lg:px-8">
<div class="overflow-hidden rounded-lg border border-slate-800 w-full">
<table class="min-w-full divide-y divide-slate-300 not-prose">
<thead class="bg-slate-800 text-white">
<tr class="divide-x divide-slate-200">
<th class="p-3 text-left text-sm font-semibold">Fineness</th>
<th class="p-3 text-left text-sm font-semibold">Where You'll See It</th>
<th class="p-3 text-left text-sm font-semibold">Pure Silver per Troy Ounce</th>
</tr>
</thead>
<tbody class="divide-y divide-slate-200 bg-white">
<tr class="divide-x divide-slate-200 even:bg-slate-50">
<td class="p-3 text-sm text-slate-700">.9999</td>
<td class="p-3 text-sm text-slate-700"><a href="https://www.mint.ca/en/shop/coins/2024/2024-5-1-oz-9999-pure-silver-coin-sml-bullion">Silver Maple Leaf</a></td>
<td class="p-3 text-sm text-slate-700">31.10 g</td>
</tr>
<tr class="divide-x divide-slate-200 even:bg-slate-50">
<td class="p-3 text-sm text-slate-700">.999</td>
<td class="p-3 text-sm text-slate-700"><a href="https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/31/5112">Silver Eagle</a> and <a href="https://www.moneymetals.com/1-ounce-silver-bar-999-pure-secondary-market/2171">1 oz silver bars</a></td>
<td class="p-3 text-sm text-slate-700">31.07 g</td>
</tr>
<tr class="divide-x divide-slate-200 even:bg-slate-50">
<td class="p-3 text-sm text-slate-700">.958</td>
<td class="p-3 text-sm text-slate-700"><a href="https://www.coinworld.com/news/world-coins/royal-mint-adopting-pure-gold-silver-for-brit.html">Silver Britannia before 2013</a></td>
<td class="p-3 text-sm text-slate-700">29.80 g</td>
</tr>
<tr class="divide-x divide-slate-200 even:bg-slate-50">
<td class="p-3 text-sm text-slate-700">.925</td>
<td class="p-3 text-sm text-slate-700"><a href="https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-16/chapter-I/subchapter-B/part-23">Sterling silver</a></td>
<td class="p-3 text-sm text-slate-700">28.77 g</td>
</tr>
<tr class="divide-x divide-slate-200 even:bg-slate-50">
<td class="p-3 text-sm text-slate-700">.900</td>
<td class="p-3 text-sm text-slate-700"><a href="https://www.moneymetals.com/buy/silver/junk-silver">U.S. dimes, quarters, and halves dated 1964 and earlier</a></td>
<td class="p-3 text-sm text-slate-700">27.99 g</td>
</tr>
<tr class="divide-x divide-slate-200 even:bg-slate-50">
<td class="p-3 text-sm text-slate-700">.400</td>
<td class="p-3 text-sm text-slate-700"><a href="https://www.moneymetals.com/buy/silver/junk-silver/40-silver">Kennedy half dollars, 1965 to 1970</a></td>
<td class="p-3 text-sm text-slate-700">12.44 g</td>
</tr>
<tr class="divide-x divide-slate-200 even:bg-slate-50">
<td class="p-3 text-sm text-slate-700">.350</td>
<td class="p-3 text-sm text-slate-700"><a href="https://www.moneymetals.com/bullion/silver-nickel-years">War nickels, 1942 to 1945</a></td>
<td class="p-3 text-sm text-slate-700">10.89 g</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<p><em>The U.S. Mint documents the <a href="https://www.usmint.gov/learn/history/historical-documents/first-striking-of-half-dollars-from-new-coinage-material">1965 change to 40% silver half dollars</a>, and <a href="https://www.ngccoin.com/price-guide/series-detail.aspx?MVDetailID=1&amp;Series=Jefferson-Nickel-Wartime-Silver-Alloy">NGC</a> lists the wartime nickel alloy at 35% silver.</em></p>
<h3>How Many Grams Are in an Ounce of Sterling Silver?</h3>
<p>A troy ounce of sterling silver still weighs 31.10 grams. The difference is that only 92.5% of that weight is silver.</p>
<p>The <a href="https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-16/chapter-I/subchapter-B/part-23">FTC’s Jewelry Guides</a> state that a seller cannot describe an item as “sterling” unless it contains at least 925 parts per 1,000 of pure silver. As a result, one troy ounce of sterling holds approximately 28.77 grams of pure silver.</p>
<h3>What About Old Silver Dimes?</h3>
<p>A pre-1965 U.S. dime weighs 2.5 grams and contains 90% silver. That leaves 2.25 grams of pure silver, equivalent to roughly 0.0723 troy ounces. That means it takes close to 13.8 <a href="https://www.moneymetals.com/buy/silver/junk-silver/90-silver-dimes">90% silver dimes</a> to equal one troy ounce of pure silver.</p>
<h2>How to Weigh Silver at Home: What Your Scale Should Read</h2>
<p>If you place a 1 oz Silver Eagle on a kitchen scale, it may appear to be overweight, but it isn't. Kitchen scales measure in standard ounces, so a troy ounce of silver reads roughly 10% heavier than expected.</p>
<p>The solution is simple: switch your scale to grams or troy ounces before weighing any precious metal. Many scales have an ozt setting, which you can use to measure your silver in troy ounces. The table below shows what a genuine Silver Eagle should read on each common scale setting.</p>
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<tr class="divide-x divide-slate-200">
<th class="p-3 text-left text-sm font-semibold">Scale Setting</th>
<th class="p-3 text-left text-sm font-semibold">Reading for a 1 oz Silver Eagle</th>
</tr>
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<tr class="divide-x divide-slate-200 even:bg-slate-50">
<td class="p-3 text-sm text-slate-700">Grams (g)</td>
<td class="p-3 text-sm text-slate-700">31.10</td>
</tr>
<tr class="divide-x divide-slate-200 even:bg-slate-50">
<td class="p-3 text-sm text-slate-700">Troy ounces (ozt)</td>
<td class="p-3 text-sm text-slate-700">1.000</td>
</tr>
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<td class="p-3 text-sm text-slate-700">Standard ounces (oz)</td>
<td class="p-3 text-sm text-slate-700">1.097</td>
</tr>
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<td class="p-3 text-sm text-slate-700">Pennyweights (dwt)</td>
<td class="p-3 text-sm text-slate-700">20.0</td>
</tr>
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<td class="p-3 text-sm text-slate-700">Grains (gr)</td>
<td class="p-3 text-sm text-slate-700">480</td>
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</tbody>
</table>
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<p><em>Based on the Silver Eagle's <a href="https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/31/5112">31.103-gram specification</a> and <a href="https://www.nist.gov/document/2026-nist-handbook-44-appendix-c">NIST conversion factors</a>.</em></p>
<h3>Quick Checklist for Weighing Silver</h3>
<ul>
<li>Use a digital scale that measures to at least 0.01 gram.</li>
<li>Set the scale to grams or troy ounces, never standard ounces.</li>
<li>Remove the coin from its capsule or plastic flip before weighing it.</li>
<li>Compare the reading to the official mint specifications in the coin table above.</li>
<li>Measure the diameter with calipers, since a Silver Eagle should measure <a href="https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/31/5112">40.6 millimeters</a> across.</li>
<li>Treat weight as one useful check rather than proof of authenticity, and buy from a dealer you trust.</li>
</ul>
<h2>Silver Price per Gram and Melt Value: The Math</h2>
<p>Silver's spot price is quoted in U.S. dollars per troy ounce, according to the <a href="https://www.cmegroup.com/markets/metals/precious/silver.contractSpecs.html">CME Group</a>. To calculate the value of silver in other units, use the following formulas:</p>
<ul>
<li>Price per gram = spot price ÷ 31.1035</li>
<li>Price per kilogram = spot price × 32.1507</li>
<li>Melt value of a coin = spot price × troy ounces of pure silver</li>
</ul>
<p>Let’s break this down using an example with a round, hypothetical number. Let’s say silver is trading at $50 per troy ounce. In that scenario, one gram would be worth about $1.61, and one kilogram would be worth about $1,607.54.</p>
<p>Since a Silver Eagle contains 0.999 troy ounces of pure silver, its melt value at that price would be approximately $49.95. You can check the <a href="https://www.moneymetals.com/silver-price">live silver price per gram</a> to run these calculations with today's numbers.</p>
<p>Keep in mind that these figures only reflect the metal value. Physical coins and bars sell for more than their metal value since they include a premium over spot. Those premiums cover minting, distribution, and dealer costs. This example is provided for educational purposes and is not investment advice.</p>
<h2>Why Silver Is Weighed in Troy Ounces</h2>
<p>Troy weight has a long history. <a href="https://www.britannica.com/science/troy-weight">Britannica</a> explains that the troy grain, pennyweight, and ounce have been used since the Middle Ages to weigh gold, silver, and precious stones, and that the name likely comes from Troyes, a French city that hosted one of the major medieval trade fairs.</p>
<p>The United States formally adopted troy weight for its coinage in 1828. That year, Congress established a brass troy weight as the "standard troy pound of the mint" to regulate U.S. coinage, according to both the <a href="https://www.usmint.gov/learn/history/historical-documents/philadelphia-mint-operations-legislation">U.S. Mint</a> and <a href="https://nvlpubs.nist.gov/nistpubs/Legacy/SP/nbsspecialpublication447.pdf">NIST</a>. The troy ounce remains the standard unit in today's markets as well, since the <a href="https://www.cmegroup.com/markets/metals/precious/silver.contractSpecs.html">COMEX silver futures contract</a> covers 5,000 troy ounces and is priced in dollars per troy ounce.</p>
<h3>Frequently Asked Questions</h3>
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<h4 class="text-xl font-semibold"><button id="controlsAccordionItemOne" type="button" class="flex w-full cursor-pointer items-center justify-between gap-2 bg-slate-200 p-4 text-left underline-offset-2 duration-200 hover:bg-slate-100 focus-visible:bg-slate-50 focus-visible:underline focus-visible:outline-hidden" aria-controls="accordionItemOne" x-on:click="isExpanded = ! isExpanded" x-bind:class="isExpanded ? 'font-bold' : 'font-medium'" x-bind:aria-expanded="isExpanded ? 'true' : 'false'"> <span>How many grams are in an ounce of .999 silver?</span> <svg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" viewbox="0 0 24 24" fill="none" stroke-width="2" stroke="currentColor" class="size-5 shrink-0 transition" aria-hidden="true" x-bind:class="isExpanded ? 'rotate-180' : ''"> <path stroke-linecap="round" stroke-linejoin="round" d="M19.5 8.25l-7.5 7.5-7.5-7.5"></path> </svg> </button></h4>
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<p>A troy ounce of .999 silver weighs 31.1035 grams, according to <a href="https://www.nist.gov/document/2026-nist-handbook-44-appendix-c">NIST</a>. About 31.07 grams of that total is pure silver, while the remaining 0.1% consists of trace amounts of other metals.</p>
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<h4 class="text-xl font-semibold"><button id="controlsAccordionItemTwo" type="button" class="flex w-full cursor-pointer items-center justify-between gap-2 bg-slate-200 p-4 text-left underline-offset-2 duration-200 hover:bg-slate-100 focus-visible:bg-slate-50 focus-visible:underline focus-visible:outline-hidden" aria-controls="accordionItemTwo" x-on:click="isExpanded = ! isExpanded" x-bind:class="isExpanded ? 'font-bold' : 'font-medium'" x-bind:aria-expanded="isExpanded ? 'true' : 'false'"> <span>How many grams should a 1 oz silver coin weigh?</span> <svg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" viewbox="0 0 24 24" fill="none" stroke-width="2" stroke="currentColor" class="size-5 shrink-0 transition" aria-hidden="true" x-bind:class="isExpanded ? 'rotate-180' : ''"> <path stroke-linecap="round" stroke-linejoin="round" d="M19.5 8.25l-7.5 7.5-7.5-7.5"></path> </svg> </button></h4>
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<p>The answer depends on the mint that produced the coin. The <a href="https://www.usmint.gov/coins-precious-metal-coins/bullion-coin-programs/">U.S. Mint</a> lists the Silver Eagle at 31.103 grams, and the <a href="https://www.mint.ca/en/shop/coins/2024/2024-5-1-oz-9999-pure-silver-coin-sml-bullion">Royal Canadian Mint</a> lists the Maple Leaf at 31.11 grams, so a gram scale should display a reading very close to 31.1 grams.</p>
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<h4 class="text-xl font-semibold"><button id="controlsAccordionItemThree" type="button" class="flex w-full cursor-pointer items-center justify-between gap-2 bg-slate-200 p-4 text-left underline-offset-2 duration-200 hover:bg-slate-100 focus-visible:bg-slate-50 focus-visible:underline focus-visible:outline-hidden" aria-controls="accordionItemThree" x-on:click="isExpanded = ! isExpanded" x-bind:class="isExpanded ? 'font-bold' : 'font-medium'" x-bind:aria-expanded="isExpanded ? 'true' : 'false'"> <span>Is a gram more than an ounce?</span> <svg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" viewbox="0 0 24 24" fill="none" stroke-width="2" stroke="currentColor" class="size-5 shrink-0 transition" aria-hidden="true" x-bind:class="isExpanded ? 'rotate-180' : ''"> <path stroke-linecap="round" stroke-linejoin="round" d="M19.5 8.25l-7.5 7.5-7.5-7.5"></path> </svg> </button></h4>
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<p>No, a gram is much smaller than an ounce. According to <a href="https://www.nist.gov/document/2026-nist-handbook-44-appendix-c">NIST</a>, one troy ounce equals 31.1035 grams, and one standard ounce equals 28.35 grams.</p>
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<h4 class="text-xl font-semibold"><button id="controlsAccordionItemFour" type="button" class="flex w-full cursor-pointer items-center justify-between gap-2 bg-slate-200 p-4 text-left underline-offset-2 duration-200 hover:bg-slate-100 focus-visible:bg-slate-50 focus-visible:underline focus-visible:outline-hidden" aria-controls="accordionItemFour" x-on:click="isExpanded = ! isExpanded" x-bind:class="isExpanded ? 'font-bold' : 'font-medium'" x-bind:aria-expanded="isExpanded ? 'true' : 'false'"> <span>How many grains are in an ounce of silver?</span> <svg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" viewbox="0 0 24 24" fill="none" stroke-width="2" stroke="currentColor" class="size-5 shrink-0 transition" aria-hidden="true" x-bind:class="isExpanded ? 'rotate-180' : ''"> <path stroke-linecap="round" stroke-linejoin="round" d="M19.5 8.25l-7.5 7.5-7.5-7.5"></path> </svg> </button></h4>
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<p>A troy ounce of silver contains 480 grains. Each grain weighs 64.79891 milligrams, and that value is identical in both the troy and standard systems, according to <a href="https://www.nist.gov/document/2026-nist-handbook-44-appendix-c">NIST</a>.</p>
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<h4 class="text-xl font-semibold"><button id="controlsAccordionItemFive" type="button" class="flex w-full cursor-pointer items-center justify-between gap-2 bg-slate-200 p-4 text-left underline-offset-2 duration-200 hover:bg-slate-100 focus-visible:bg-slate-50 focus-visible:underline focus-visible:outline-hidden" aria-controls="accordionItemFive" x-on:click="isExpanded = ! isExpanded" x-bind:class="isExpanded ? 'font-bold' : 'font-medium'" x-bind:aria-expanded="isExpanded ? 'true' : 'false'"> <span>How many ounces is 100 grams of silver?</span> <svg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" viewbox="0 0 24 24" fill="none" stroke-width="2" stroke="currentColor" class="size-5 shrink-0 transition" aria-hidden="true" x-bind:class="isExpanded ? 'rotate-180' : ''"> <path stroke-linecap="round" stroke-linejoin="round" d="M19.5 8.25l-7.5 7.5-7.5-7.5"></path> </svg> </button></h4>
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<p>One hundred grams of silver equals 3.215 troy ounces, and you can convert any amount in grams by dividing it by 31.1035. To compare metric bar sizes side by side, browse our <a href="https://www.moneymetals.com/buy/silver/bars/silver-gram-bars">silver gram bars</a> section.</p>
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<div x-data=" isExpanded: false " class="overflow-hidden rounded-sm border border-slate-300 bg-white">
<h4 class="text-xl font-semibold"><button id="controlsAccordionItemSix" type="button" class="flex w-full cursor-pointer items-center justify-between gap-2 bg-slate-200 p-4 text-left underline-offset-2 duration-200 hover:bg-slate-100 focus-visible:bg-slate-50 focus-visible:underline focus-visible:outline-hidden" aria-controls="accordionItemSix" x-on:click="isExpanded = ! isExpanded" x-bind:class="isExpanded ? 'font-bold' : 'font-medium'" x-bind:aria-expanded="isExpanded ? 'true' : 'false'"> <span>How much does 100 ounces of silver weigh?</span> <svg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" viewbox="0 0 24 24" fill="none" stroke-width="2" stroke="currentColor" class="size-5 shrink-0 transition" aria-hidden="true" x-bind:class="isExpanded ? 'rotate-180' : ''"> <path stroke-linecap="round" stroke-linejoin="round" d="M19.5 8.25l-7.5 7.5-7.5-7.5"></path> </svg> </button></h4>
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<p>One hundred troy ounces of silver weighs 3,110.35 grams, which equals 3.11 kilograms, or approximately 6.86 standard pounds, based on <a href="https://www.nist.gov/document/2026-nist-handbook-44-appendix-c">NIST conversion factors</a>.</p>
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<div x-data=" isExpanded: false " class="overflow-hidden rounded-sm border border-slate-300 bg-white">
<h4 class="text-xl font-semibold"><button id="controlsAccordionItemSeven" type="button" class="flex w-full cursor-pointer items-center justify-between gap-2 bg-slate-200 p-4 text-left underline-offset-2 duration-200 hover:bg-slate-100 focus-visible:bg-slate-50 focus-visible:underline focus-visible:outline-hidden" aria-controls="accordionItemSeven" x-on:click="isExpanded = ! isExpanded" x-bind:class="isExpanded ? 'font-bold' : 'font-medium'" x-bind:aria-expanded="isExpanded ? 'true' : 'false'"> <span>Is silver weighed in troy ounces?</span> <svg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" viewbox="0 0 24 24" fill="none" stroke-width="2" stroke="currentColor" class="size-5 shrink-0 transition" aria-hidden="true" x-bind:class="isExpanded ? 'rotate-180' : ''"> <path stroke-linecap="round" stroke-linejoin="round" d="M19.5 8.25l-7.5 7.5-7.5-7.5"></path> </svg> </button></h4>
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<p>Yes. Spot prices, futures contracts, and official bullion coin specifications all rely on the troy ounce. For example, the <a href="https://www.cmegroup.com/markets/metals/precious/silver.contractSpecs.html">COMEX silver contract</a> is quoted in U.S. dollars per troy ounce, and the <a href="https://www.usmint.gov/coins-precious-metal-coins/bullion-coin-programs/">U.S. Mint</a> lists the Silver Eagle at 1.000 troy ounce.</p>
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<h4 class="text-xl font-semibold"><button id="controlsAccordionItemEight" type="button" class="flex w-full cursor-pointer items-center justify-between gap-2 bg-slate-200 p-4 text-left underline-offset-2 duration-200 hover:bg-slate-100 focus-visible:bg-slate-50 focus-visible:underline focus-visible:outline-hidden" aria-controls="accordionItemEight" x-on:click="isExpanded = ! isExpanded" x-bind:class="isExpanded ? 'font-bold' : 'font-medium'" x-bind:aria-expanded="isExpanded ? 'true' : 'false'"> <span>How many 90% silver dimes make an ounce?</span> <svg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" viewbox="0 0 24 24" fill="none" stroke-width="2" stroke="currentColor" class="size-5 shrink-0 transition" aria-hidden="true" x-bind:class="isExpanded ? 'rotate-180' : ''"> <path stroke-linecap="round" stroke-linejoin="round" d="M19.5 8.25l-7.5 7.5-7.5-7.5"></path> </svg> </button></h4>
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<p>It takes approximately 13.8 dimes. Each pre-1965 dime weighs 2.5 grams at 90% silver, so it contains about 0.0723 troy ounces of pure silver. Our <a href="https://www.moneymetals.com/bullion/silver-dimes-years">silver dime years guide</a> lists the dates that qualify.</p>
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<h5 class="text-2xl mt-8">The Bottom Line</h5>
<p>One troy ounce of silver equals 31.1035 grams. If you remember that figure, confirm which ounce a scale or seller is using, and keep a coin's total weight separate from its silver content, your calculations will hold up. A paper dollar's purchasing power can erode over time, as the <a href="https://www.bls.gov/data/inflation_calculator.htm">BLS inflation calculator</a> demonstrates, but the weight of a troy ounce never changes.</p>
<p>When you're ready to buy, you can purchase by the ounce with a <a href="https://www.moneymetals.com/1-ounce-silver-bar-999-pure-secondary-market/2171">1 oz silver bar</a> or by the gram with <a href="https://www.moneymetals.com/buy/silver/bars/silver-gram-bars">silver gram bars</a>. Either way, check the <a href="https://www.moneymetals.com/silver-price">current silver price</a> before you place your order.</p>
<p><em>This article is for educational purposes only and is not investment advice.</em></p>
