Zakat Calculator

Zakat is an Arabic word that literally means “that which purifies”. Therefore, Zakat is a way to purify your wealth and income. This purification occurs by giving a portion of your wealth to charity. It is important to note that Zakat is not a tax, rather it is an act of worship dedicated to supporting those in need.

Paying Zakat involves giving 2.5% of your total wealth which exceeds the nisab value within a single Islamic year to charity. This wealth includes cash, bank savings, bonds, cattle and crops that are in excess of your needs, as well as other objects of monetary value such as jewellery, gold and silver.

Items for personal use such as your car, clothing and house are excluded from Zakat.

The 2.5% Zakat percentage payment is compulsory although there are two potential nisab values that can be used to determine eligibility – gold and silver. Our Zakat calculator works out your payment based on the values of gold and silver; simply select the option you would like to use.

Zakat is obligatory for anyone who meets the following criteria: a free adult Muslim, of sound mind, in complete ownership and control of their wealth (which must meet or exceed the nisab threshold), and in possession of their wealth for one complete lunar year.

The reason Muslims pay Zakat is because it is the Third Pillar of Islam which means it’s a religious obligation to be able to achieve all Five Pillars of Islam. As well as this, it brings Muslims closer to Allah (SWT) as an act of worship, building stronger connections to their faith and God.

Zakat also purifies a person’s wealth and re-distributes it to those most in need. This creates a sense of community and boosts the Muslim community by relieving the suffering of those who don’t have the means to live.

Many wonder how much Zakat to pay to ensure they correctly pay Zakat to fulfil their religious obligation. There is no set amount to pay as it’s based on an individual’s total assets after necessities, such as bills. However, Muslims who hold wealth above the nisab threshold for a full lunar year must pay 2.5% of their total wealth. This percentage is compulsory and includes wealth in cash, bank savings, cattle, crops, and objects of monetary value such as gold or silver jewellery.

Muslims aim to pay Zakat at Laylat ul-Qadr, so long as they meet the nisab threshold for a full year. The month of Ramadan is a popular time for Muslims to give their Zakat (which is different from Zakat ul-Fitr, or Fitrana, which can only be paid during the month of Ramadan), especially because it contains Laylat ul-Qadr, or the Night of Power when rewards for paying Zakat are amplified to that of a thousand nights.

The general rule to pay Zakat is that the payment should not be delayed unless the payer has a valid reason to do so. However, if you have a valid reason why you can’t pay upfront, such as you can’t afford to pay in a lump sum, then it’s permissible to pay in installments.

The Zakat year begins on the date on which your accrued wealth reaches the nisab threshold. This will be your Zakat date, the date on which your Zakat will be due each year - as long as your wealth continues to meet or exceed the nisab value.

There are two measures for determining the nisab value for Zakat – either based on gold or silver. These values state that nisab is equal to three ounces of gold (87.48 grams) or its cash equivalent, or 21 ounces of silver (612.36 grams) or its cash equivalent.

Utilise our Zakat calculator above to find out exactly how much Zakat you should be paying based on the nisab threshold you opt for.

The recipient must be someone in need, who qualifies under at least one of the eight categories as outlined in the Qur’an. They must not belong to your immediate family (such as your parents, siblings, children and wife). They must not be a descendant of the Prophet (PBUH).

Zakat ul-Fitr is different from Zakat as this is a donation that’s made before the Eid prayer at the end of Ramadan. The donation must be made beforehand so that those in need can receive it in time for Eid to be able to celebrate it properly.

The Zakat ul-Fitr payment is equivalent to one ‘saa’ (3kg) of a common staple food in your country. This can be paid in the monetary equivalent instead, in your local currency. In the UK, this equals around £6 of staple food supplies per person. This includes children in your family, meaning a family of four is expected to pay around £24.

No, there must be a clear intention that a donation is for Zakat. Giving to charity with a distinct purpose is very important in the Zakat process - like any obligation in Islam, Zakat requires intention.

Use our Zakat Calculator for 2025 to quickly and easily determine your Zakat eligibility and total required payment. If you choose to give your Zakat to UK Islamic Mission, we will then distribute it where it will be most impactful, helping struggling families and vulnerable people to get back on their feet and thrive.

You can use our zakat calculator for gold, silver, shares and cash, helping you to work out the zakat that you owe. We understand that knowing how to calculate zakat can be difficult, especially if you are not confident when it comes to mathematics and working out percentages. UK Islamic Mission makes it easier for Muslims to work out their Zakat based on what the nisab value is compared with their expendable wealth.

Use our Zakat calculator to donate your Zakat now easily with UKIM and help transform the lives of those in need.