How Much Does a Gold Bar Weigh?

Gold refiners and miners work with large, semi-pure bars called dore bars, which are a mix of gold and other metals. These typically weigh around 400 troy ounces (12.4 kg or 27 pounds).

To ensure uniformity, the dore is melted and sampled for purity. After this step, the Miller Process is used: chlorine gas is bubbled through the molten metal, binding with impurities to form a slag. This results in gold that’s 99.5% pure—ready to be cast into the standard 400 oz Good Delivery bars used by banks and bullion dealers.

A loco swap is a financial agreement between a miner and a refiner that allows them to exchange ownership of gold stored in different locations—without physically shipping the metal. It’s a common practice in global bullion markets, helping minimize transportation costs and logistics.

These terms are often used interchangeably, but here’s how they differ:

• Bar: Typically refers to any rectangular bullion shape, often stamped with weight and purity.
• Biscuit: A thinner, flatter version of a bar—sometimes called a wafer.
• Ingot: A generic term for a piece of cast metal, used for both precious and non-precious metals.

In the gold market, all three generally refer to bullion products in different shapes or thicknesses.

The biggest standardized gold bar is the Good Delivery gold bar, which weighs approximately 400 troy ounces (about 12.4 kilograms or 27.4 pounds). These bars are commonly used in international gold trading and stored by central banks and bullion dealers. However, the largest gold bar ever produced is significantly heavier:

• Weight: 250 kilograms (551 pounds)
• Dimensions: 45.5 cm × 22.5 cm × 17 cm (17.9 in × 8.9 in × 6.7 in)
• Value: Depending on the current market price of gold, it would be worth tens of millions of dollars.
• Location: This bar is on display at the Toi Gold Museum in Japan. 

The standard gold bar used in international trade by central banks and bullion dealers is known as the Good Delivery bar. It typically weighs 400 troy ounces (approximately 27.5 pounds) and measures about 7 inches × 3.625 inches × 1.75 inches. While these are standard specifications, exact dimensions and weights can vary slightly depending on the manufacturer and intended use.

Investing in gold bars is a practical way to add stability and long-term value to your portfolio. From small cast bars to large institutional-grade bullion, gold offers a physical asset that can hedge against inflation and economic uncertainty. Success starts with choosing the right bar size, buying from trusted sources, and securing proper storage and insurance. You can download our FREE Investor Guide for more tips on how to get started investing in gold. 

The avoirdupois system is a common weight measurement system in the United States and other countries that use imperial units. It is based on 16 ounces per pound. Unlike the troy system used for precious metals, the avoirdupois ounce weighs approximately 28.35 grams. For comparison, one avoirdupois pound is equal to about 14.583 troy ounces. Precious metals like gold and silver are always measured in troy ounces, which weigh 31.1 grams each, rather than in avoirdupois units.

• Atomic Number (Protons/Electrons): 79
• Atomic Mass: 196.96 unified atomic mass units (u)
• Density: 19.32 grams per cubic centimeter (approximately twice the density of silver)
• Number of Neutrons: 118

These characteristics make gold one of the heaviest and most stable naturally occurring elements, contributing to its unique value and wide range of applications.

COMEX gold bars typically weigh between 95 and 105 troy ounces, depending on their purity. The most common and widely traded size is the 100-ounce bar with a .9999 fine purity. This bar serves as the standard for the North American gold futures market. As a result, every $1 movement in the price of gold corresponds to a $100 change in the value of a single gold futures contract.

How is a gold bar weighed in India?
Tola Biscuit / Bar - 1 tola stands for 3.75 oz or 116.64 gram - 99.9% = standard 10 tola

How is a gold bar weighed in China?
Tael Biscuit / Bar -1 Tael equals to 1.20337 oz or 37.429 gram = 5 Tael biscuit / 187 gram

How is a gold bar weighed in Thailand?
Baht Biscuit / Bar - 10 Baht equals to 152.44 gram

Yes, weighing a gold bar is a simple and effective first step—especially if the bar comes from a reputable mint like Perth Mint, Credit Suisse, or RMC. The bar’s exact weight is stamped on its surface and should match precisely when measured. Any discrepancy could indicate a counterfeit, as falsifying a gold bar's weight is a serious criminal offense. Be sure to calibrate your scale before testing. For added assurance, follow up with a density test to confirm the metal's consistency throughout the bar or coin.

None! Gold is a chemical element and doesn’t lose any of its mass or value when deformed. Even if a gold bar is dented, bent, or smashed, the actual gold content remains unchanged. While some dealers may be cautious about accepting a damaged bar at first, proper testing can verify its authenticity. Once confirmed, the gold can easily be melted down and re-cast. Check out this video of a 1,000-ounce gold bar being crushed by a hydraulic press—it’s dramatic, but the gold stays just as valuable.

Curious about your value in gold? Here's how to calculate it:

1. Find the current gold price per ounce (check our Live Gold Price page).
2. Multiply by 16 (the number of ounces in a pound).
3. Multiply again by your weight in pounds.

Example:
If gold is $2,000/oz and you weigh 150 lbs:
$2,000 × 16 × 150 = $4.8 million worth of gold!

An assay is a scientific analysis used to verify the purity of precious metals. Refiners use this test before bars or coins are cast to ensure they meet industry standards—typically .999 or .9999 purity. Finished products are often sealed in assay cards that certify their origin, weight, and purity.

*All weight comparisons to everyday items are approximations used for visual display purposes only, and may vary in actual size and/or weight.