Silver-plated items (marked EPNS, “silver plate” or “Sheffield”) contain almost no silver – only solid silver counts. Weigh items without stones or non-silver parts.
How to use the Scrap Silver Calculator
- Sterling (.925) weight
- Coin silver (.900) weight
- Fine silver (.999) weight
- .800 silver weight
- Silver price per troy ounce
- Buyer’s payout
Results update as you type, and every field accepts the units shown in its menu.
How it works
Enter the weight of each type of silver, the spot price and the payout percentage.
Tips
- Use your real spending from bank statements rather than guesses.
- Automate savings so they happen before you spend.
- Revisit your plan once a year or after any big life change.
- Keep an emergency fund before investing for long-term goals.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Underestimating irregular expenses such as car repairs, gifts and annual bills.
- Ignoring inflation for long-term goals.
- Taking on high-interest debt to fund wants.
Inputs explained
| Field | What to enter |
|---|---|
| Sterling (.925) weight | Units: grams, troy ounces, ounces (avoirdupois), pennyweights (dwt), tola, kilograms |
| Coin silver (.900) weight | Units: grams, troy ounces, ounces (avoirdupois), pennyweights (dwt), tola, kilograms |
| Fine silver (.999) weight | Units: grams, troy ounces, ounces (avoirdupois), pennyweights (dwt), tola, kilograms |
| .800 silver weight | Units: grams, troy ounces, ounces (avoirdupois), pennyweights (dwt), tola, kilograms |
| Silver price per troy ounce | Amount in your currency |
| Buyer’s payout | In % |
What each result means
- Pure silver content = [Sterling (.925) weight]×0.925 + [Coin silver (.900) weight]×0.9 + [Fine silver (.999) weight]×0.999 + [.800 silver weight]×0.8
- Melt value = [Pure silver content]÷31.1034768×[Silver price per troy ounce]
- Expected offer = [Melt value]×[Buyer’s payout]÷100
Example values
How the main result changes when Sterling changes and everything else stays at the example values above:
| Sterling (.925) weight (grams) | Expected offer |
|---|---|
| 100 | 169.76 |
| 150 | 226.86 |
| 200 | 283.96 |
| 250 | 341.06 |
| 300 | 398.15 |
| 400 | 512.35 |
Formula
Pure silver = Σ weight × purityValue = pure silver (troy oz) × spot price; offer = value × payout %Worked example
Inputs — Sterling (.925) weight: 200 grams; Coin silver (.900) weight: 50 grams; Fine silver (.999) weight: 0 grams; .800 silver weight: 0 grams; Silver price per troy ounce: $48; Buyer's payout: 80 %.
Results — Pure silver content = 230 g; Melt value = $354.94; Expected offer = $283.96.
Frequently asked questions
How do I value scrap silver?
Pure silver weight × the spot price.
Is silver plate worth anything?
Very little – the silver layer is extremely thin.
How do I test silver?
Look for hallmarks (925, sterling); a magnet test rules out steel.
What formula does the Scrap Silver Calculator use?
Pure silver = Σ weight × purity.