Table of Contents Types of gold bars Bars by weight How much does gold weigh? How do people invest in gold? FAQsKey Takeaways Article Summary: Although gold bars come in various sizes, the “standard” gold bar weighs about 28 pounds or 400 troy ounces
However, the weight also depends on how this gold bar is made: cast or minted
Cast bars are generally cheaper and do not have the same purity standards as minted bar gold Gold has been used in trade and commerce for centuries
Since the advent of international standardization and national gold reserve regulations, the way gold bullion is produced, stored, and traded has changed significantly
The glowing brilliance of yellow gold makes it a tempting metal to use in jewelry, and its resistance to corrosion makes it an exceptional metal for electronics Many people are familiar with this precious metal because of the gold bar portrayed in the movie
Is there such a thing as a standard gold bar?
If so, how much does a standard gold bar weigh?
This article considers the manufacturing process of different types of gold bars today, various international standards governing the gold market, and what gold bars weigh in various sizes Compare broker services Compare several vetted providers
Compare Brokerages different types of gold bars Depending on the manufacturing process, gold bars are generally classified into two types: cast gold bars (or bricks) and minted gold bars
These two types of gold bars have different characteristics as well as varying price ranges due to manufacturing techniques and the quality of the end product Understanding the differences in the manufacturing process can also help understand how the weight of gold bars can vary slightly depending on how it is produced
This is a brief description of how both cast and minted gold bars are manufacturedCast gold brick The first step in making a cast bar or brick of gold involves making a mold for the molten metal to be poured into
The mold helps to ensure that the gold bar being formed is made in a conventional shape, size, and approximate weight
Next, the gold is melted by heating the precious metal to at least 1,948 degrees Fahrenheit and pouring it into a mold
Once cooled, it is removed from the mold and generally stamped with a serial number from the manufacturer Cast bar has a tendency to look more natural than other made gold bars and generally has unique characteristics that can help to identify and distinguish one bar from another
At the same time, the manufacturing process makes the exact weight somewhat approximate Minted bar of gold Minted gold bar, which tends to be preferred among investors, is more common than cast bars
This radiant-looking, pristine bar has a more time-consuming manufacturing process and, therefore, is generally more expensive than gold cast bars Because minted bars are made to exact dimensions, the weight is more accurate
If there is a flaw or defect, the bar is processed again until the defect disappears
In reality, gold bars are available in many different sizes and weights, as the metal is in the form of bullion (gold in bulk before coining, also called gold ingots) Each market (eg COMEX in New York, SGE in Shanghai, TOCOM in Tokyo) has own rules and regulations to receive gold bars
Hence, a gold bar accepted by one exchange may be rejected by another and may vary slightly in size or quality depending on the market it is purchased from Below is a description of the most common measurements of gold bars by weight
Some bars can even be compared to everyday objects to help better understand what each one weighs
Gold bars can come in small sizes
A 20 gram gold bar, which is only slightly larger, weighs about as much as an AA battery
If you buy a medium sized 16 troy ounce gold bar, you will be buying a gold bar that weighs about as much as an egg
A medium bar that is slightly larger than ten ounces will weigh about as much as a grapefruit
The larger gold bar weighs about 400 troy ounces or about 28lbs, about the weight of an average mountain bike What is the weight of the largest gold bar in the world? The largest gold bar was recognized by the Guinness Book of World Records in 2005
Manufactured by Mitsubishi Materials Corporation, this gold bar weighs 250 kg, or 551 lb
This gold bar weighs more than an average Siberian male tiger
(Source) Standard gold bars (aka
“Good Delivery” gold bars)Standard gold bars, also known as “Good Delivery” gold bars, are the names used for internationally accepted trade standards
These standards are set by the London Bullion Market Association (LBMA) and are in line with their own published standards entitled Global Precious Metals Code (GPMC) and Good Delivery Rules (GDR)
(Source) This gold bullion classification weighs 400 troy ounces and is internationally recognized by many nations as the gold bullion standard
(Source)Kilo barOne kilogram gold bar (also called gold kilobar) is one of the most produced and internationally traded gold bars
Since one-kilo bars are smaller than standard gold bars, the price is significantly less per bar
Because of this, these bars are more popular among institutional and private investors as well as jewelry manufacturers and other industries According to the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) standard 24018:2020, each kilobar must have a minimum weight of 1,00000 kilograms and a maximum it weighs 1,00010 kilograms
(Source) How much does gold weigh? Technically, gold has an atomic weight of 196967 g/moL (this represents the molar mass, or approximate weight of an atom)
Pure gold is 193 times denser than water and weighs about 160 pounds per gallon
(Source) What is a troy ounce? You may have noticed the description of “troy ounces” throughout this article
Troy ounce is a special unit of measurement used to determine the weight of precious metals
This unit of measurement is different from the standard system of measuring liquid or dry ounces that we use in everyday life According to the United States Mint, each gold bar contained in Fort Knox weighs about 400 troy ounces or 275 pounds
A troy ounce is about 10% heavier than an avoirdupois ounce (or standard US ounce) and is the standard measure of most precious metals
(Source) How do people invest in gold? Investing in gold becomes very popular when the stock market becomes volatile
A common way many people invest in gold is by buying gold bars
These investors also invest in gold through exchange-traded funds or, at times, they buy shares in gold mining companies
You can also invest in other precious metals this way If you want to start investing in gold, you might want to reach out to one of the investment advisors below
(Source) How much does a 24 karat gold bar weigh? When it comes to gold, karat (also spelled karat) is a measure of how pure the gold is rather than how much it weighs
Therefore, without measuring our gold bar, it is impossible to say how much a bar of 24-karat gold weighs
(Source) What is the current price of gold bars? Depending on the size of the bar and the current market value (since gold prices fluctuate), you can expect anywhere from $1,700 for a small troy-ounce bar to over $700,000 for a large standard bar
Read more about gold bar prices hereKey Takeaways Gold bars come in a variety of different weights, purities, and sizes
There are two main ways to make gold bars: casting and minting
The weight of gold bars is measured in troy ounces
The approximate weight of a standard gold bar is 400 troy ounces or 274 lbs View Article Sources About Good Delivery — London Bullion Market Association Precious Metal Investments — Arizona Corporation Commission Consumer Alert: Tips to avoid investing in bullion products and precious metal scams — Minnesota Department of Commerce Fort Knox Bullion Depository — United States Mint How to Invest in Copper in 3 Step – SuperMoney Cryptocurrency vs Gold: Which Is the Best Inflation Hedge?