Gold DecisionIndependent Guide to Physical Gold עברית

Free, independent tool

Gold Cost Calculator

Enter the terms of a quote you received — or your own assumptions — and see what you would pay on the day, what storage would cost, and what you might get back when you sell. Every value marked Assumption is only an example starting point.

1What you are buying
Changes the currency label only. No exchange-rate conversion is applied — enter every amount in the currency you choose.
$
Value of the fine gold at the reference price you checked or were quoted, before premium and taxes.
2Purchase costs
%
From the quote. Varies by product, size and provider.
%
Depends on where you buy and what you buy — some jurisdictions exempt investment gold, others tax it. Enter the rate shown on your quote. If you leave it empty, results exclude tax; empty does not mean tax-free.
$
Shipping, transit insurance, vault deposit fee, payment fees.
3Storage
%
As a percentage of metal value, as quoted (including any tax on the fee).
$
If any. Matters most for smaller holdings.
4Sale and holding period
%
How far below spot the dealer or buyer will pay you. Assumes the buyback price is based on metal value, with no tax added.
$
Vault withdrawal, shipping, assay or authenticity testing.
yrs
5Price scenario
%
A what-if scenario only — not a forecast. The 0% default isolates the costs themselves.

Result

Estimate based on your inputs. Excludes tax on gains, FX differences and any cost you did not enter — including purchase tax if you left that field empty.

Purchase cost$52,500
Metal at spot$50,000
Premium$2,500
Sales tax / VATNot entered

Purchase tax is not included because the tax field is empty. That does not mean the purchase is tax-free — the treatment depends on your jurisdiction and the product.

Fees$0
Total storage over 3 years$1,500
Value at end of period (scenario)$50,000
Sale spread and fees$1,000
Estimated proceeds$49,000
Total estimated costs$5,000
Premium + tax (if entered) + fees + storage + sale spread10% of metal value
Loss in this scenario$5,000
Sale proceeds minus purchase and storage costs
Annual price change to break even3.32%
Storage by year
YearValue at start of yearStorage fee
1$50,000$500
2$50,000$500
3$50,000$500

This calculator is an illustration tool. It does not show market prices, does not determine tax rates and is not investment advice. Before any transaction, get a written quote and check the tax treatment with a qualified professional.

How the calculator works

  1. Purchase cost = metal value at spot + dealer premium + sales tax or VAT on both (only if you enter a rate) + one-time fees.
  2. Storage is calculated year by year: the storage rate times the metal value at the start of that year, or the minimum annual charge — whichever is higher.
  3. Sale proceeds = metal value at the end of the period, minus the sale spread and sale fees.
  4. Total costs = everything paid or deducted beyond the value of the metal itself. It is the “price” of owning gold, separate from where the gold price goes.
  5. Scenario result = sale proceeds minus purchase and storage costs, under the annual price change you chose.
purchase = spot × (1 + premium%) × (1 + tax%) + buyFees storage_i = max(minimum, spot × (1 + change%)^i × storage%) proceeds = spot × (1 + change%)^years × (1 − spread%) − sellFees result = proceeds − purchase − Σ storage_i

Why is the tax field empty?

Because the right number depends on where you buy, what you buy and who you are — and a default would quietly be wrong for most visitors. Two examples of how different the rules can be:

  • European Union: the EU VAT Directive has a special scheme for investment gold — bars of at least 995 fineness and qualifying coins — under which transactions are exempt, with an option to tax for some traders. Gold that does not meet the definition, such as jewellery, is outside the scheme.
  • United Kingdom: HMRC guidance states that investment gold is exempt from VAT, subject to an option to tax, and publishes separate guidance on which gold coins qualify.

Other countries and states apply their own sales tax or VAT rules, and some tax investment metals in full. Enter the rate that appears on your quote. If you leave the field empty, the result excludes purchase tax — that is not the same as the purchase being tax-free. Buying in Israel? See the Israel country guide, which explains the VAT position there.

Tax on a gain when you sell is not included either. For example, the US IRS states that net capital gains from selling collectibles such as coins are taxed at a maximum 28% rate. Whether a rule like that applies to you is a question for a tax adviser in your jurisdiction.

Currencies and units

The currency selector only changes the label. The calculator does not convert between currencies and does not use exchange rates — enter every amount in the currency you select. You can also enter a weight in grams, troy ounces or kilograms with a price per unit; one troy ounce is 31.1034768 grams.

What is the “annual price change to break even”?

It is the yearly change in the gold price at which your sale proceeds exactly cover every cost, with all other inputs unchanged. It is not a forecast or a target — only a way to see how far the costs push your break-even point.

What is not included

  • Live gold prices or exchange rates.
  • Purchase tax, unless you enter a rate; tax on gains, or any other tax liability.
  • Product differences such as collectible value, card or transfer fees you did not enter, and future changes in storage tariffs.
  • Tax on resale: the calculator assumes the buyback price is based on metal value with no tax added. Ask the buyer how they set their price.

Sources and verification

Sources checked 15 November 2026. The formulas are covered by automated tests. Found an error? See About and editorial policy.