The Zakat Maal Calculator helps you determine your wealth zakat obligation based on the current nisab.
Supports four types of zakat maal: income/profession zakat (annual or monthly method), savings and deposit zakat, trade and business zakat, and gold and silver zakat. The nisab is calculated automatically based on the gold price, which can be adjusted.
Disclaimer: This calculator provides zakat estimates based on general fiqh. For special cases or mixed assets, consult your local zakat authority or scholar.
Calculator information
📋 How to use this calculator
- Add up the total value of assets you have held for one full lunar year (hawl): savings, fixed deposits, gold, silver, stocks, rental property, and reliably collectible receivables.
- Subtract due liabilities: debts coming due, basic living costs already budgeted for the current month.
- Enter the net asset value into the calculator.
- The tool compares it to the nisab (minimum threshold for zakat obligation) - equivalent to 85 grams of gold. If assets are at or above nisab, zakat is due at 2.5%.
- Pay your zakat to a recognized zakat institution (e.g. Zakat Foundation of America, Islamic Relief USA, ICNA Relief, or your local mosque's zakat fund). Keep the receipt - zakat paid to a 501(c)(3) qualifies as a charitable deduction on your US federal income tax return.
🧮 Zakat al-Mal Formula (Majority Madhhab Position)
Zakat = Net_Assets x 2.5%
- Condition 1 - Hawl: assets held for one full lunar year (354 days).
- Condition 2 - Nisab: minimum equivalent of 85 grams of pure gold.
- Zakat rate: 2.5% (1/40) of total net assets.
Some asset categories have different rates: agricultural zakat 5-10%, mining/rikaz zakat 20%, income zakat (qiyas) 2.5% paid when income is received. This calculator focuses on general zakat al-mal.
💡 Worked example: Savings + gold, net assets $7,000, gold price $80/gram
Given:- Savings + CDs = $4,900
- Gold 30 grams x $80 = $2,400
- Debt due = $300
- Net assets = ($4,900 + $2,400) - $300 = $7,000
- Nisab = 85 x $80 = $6,800
Steps:- Check nisab: net assets $7,000 vs nisab $6,800.
- Result: assets exceed nisab - zakat is due this year.
- Zakat = $7,000 x 2.5% = $175.
Result: Zakat al-mal owed: $175. Pay to a qualified zakat institution and keep the receipt. If paid to a US-registered 501(c)(3) charitable organization, the amount can also be claimed as a charitable deduction on Schedule A (Form 1040).
❓ Frequently asked questions
How do I calculate nisab when gold prices fluctuate?
The benchmark is 85 grams of pure gold (24 karat). Check the gold spot price (e.g. on Kitco or the LBMA) on the day your hawl matures and multiply by 85 grams. For example, if gold is $80/gram, nisab = $6,800. Some scholars allow using an annual average gold price.
Is my primary residence subject to zakat?
No. Your primary home, personal vehicle, and household essentials are NOT subject to zakat al-mal. Zakat applies to productive or stored wealth: cash, gold, silver, stocks, rental property, and trade inventory.
When is zakat due - at the end of Ramadan or any time?
Zakat AL-MAL is due when the hawl (one lunar year) completes for each asset, not tied to Ramadan. Many Muslims pay during Ramadan for the increased spiritual reward, but if your hawl falls in, say, Shawwal, you should pay then. Zakat AL-FITR (per person, paid before Eid al-Fitr) is the obligation specifically tied to Ramadan.
Is zakat tax-deductible in the United States?
Yes, if paid to a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organization recognized by the IRS - most major American Muslim charities (Zakat Foundation of America, Islamic Relief USA, ICNA Relief, Helping Hand USA, etc.) qualify. Keep the official donation receipt and claim the amount as a charitable contribution on Schedule A (Form 1040) if you itemize. Direct giving to an individual or unregistered group is religiously valid but not tax-deductible.
Can I send my zakat directly to a madrasah or individual instead of through an institution?
Yes, religiously valid if the recipient qualifies under one of the 8 categories of zakat-eligible recipients (asnaf, Quran 9:60). However, for US tax deductibility, you must pay through a recognized 501(c)(3). A balanced approach: route a portion through a registered institution for transparency and tax benefit, and direct giving for personal relationships.
📚 Sources & references
Last updated: May 11, 2026