1 24K in every unit
Values update with the converter above. Select a row to open that conversion's detailed page.
- 22K1.090909 22K
- 18K1.333333 18K
- 14K1.714286 14K
Unit guides
4 unitsDetailed guide to Gold Karat
Gold karat values describe the purity of a gold alloy. Higher karat means a higher proportion of pure gold in the final material.
Converting between karat systems is useful when comparing jewelry, estimating pure-gold content and understanding how alloy composition affects color, strength and value.
- Physical quantity group
- Gold purity by karat
- Reference purity
- 24K = pure gold basis
- Purity expression
- Karat fraction out of 24 parts
- Typical use
- Jewelry, valuation and alloy comparison
- Common values
- 24K, 22K, 18K and 14K
Karat is purity, not weight
Pure gold is 24 karat. 18k gold is 75% gold (hallmark 750), 14k is 58.3% (585) and 10k is 41.7% (417). The pages in this group give the weight of one karat that holds the same amount of pure gold as another, for example 1 g of 14k holds as much gold as 0.778 g of 18k.
To raise or lower a karat by alloying, or to find the pure gold content and melt value of a piece, use the gold karat calculator. Gemstone carats are a separate unit of weight (1 ct = 0.2 g).
What does karat mean?
Karat expresses how many of 24 parts are pure gold. For example, 18K means 18 parts pure gold and 6 parts alloying metals.
This ratio affects not only price, but also hardness, wear resistance and visual appearance.
Comparing 24K, 22K, 18K and 14K
24K represents the pure-gold reference, while 22K remains very high in gold content but includes a small alloy fraction for improved handling.
18K and 14K contain less pure gold, but they are often preferred for everyday jewelry because they can be more durable and better suited to different finishes and colors.
Why karat conversions matter
When a known mass is converted from one karat grade to another, the pure-gold portion stays conceptually central while the alloy proportion changes.
These conversions are useful for pricing, comparing jewelry specifications and understanding what a labeled karat value means in physical gold content.
Unit comparison table
| Unit | Symbol | SI equivalent | System | Common use |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 24K Gold | 24K | 100% pure gold | Jewelry standard | Bullion, investment gold |
| 22K Gold | 22K | 91.6% pure gold (22/24) | Jewelry standard | Bangles, traditional jewelry |
| 18K Gold | 18K | 75% pure gold (18/24) | Jewelry standard | Rings, necklaces, everyday jewelry |
| 14K Gold | 14K | 58.3% pure gold (14/24) | Jewelry standard | Budget jewelry, US/European market |
Gold karat units
| Unit | Symbol | Information |
|---|---|---|
| 24K Gold | 24K | View unit guide |
| 22K Gold | 22K | View unit guide |
| 18K Gold | 18K | View unit guide |
| 14K Gold | 14K | View unit guide |