Gold Price in Saudi Arabia 2026: SAR Rates Per Gram, Tola & Where to Buy
Live 24K, 22K and 18K gold prices in Saudi Riyal (SAR) per gram and tola, updated hourly. Plus: where to buy gold in Riyadh, Jeddah and Mecca, Zakat rules, and how Saudi prices compare to Dubai and international rates.
Gold Prices in Saudi Arabia Today (April 2026)
Saudi Arabia is one of the world's largest gold markets, driven by a deep cultural affinity for jewelry, a large expat workforce converting savings to gold, and millions of pilgrims visiting Mecca each year. The Saudi Riyal (SAR) is pegged to the US dollar at 3.75, which means Saudi gold prices move almost exactly in line with international spot prices — making Saudi Arabia one of the most transparent and fairly priced gold markets in the region.
Below are indicative gold prices based on the current international spot price of approximately $4,750/oz. Saudi Arabia applies a minimal ~1% market premium above the international spot rate. Check our live calculator for real-time rates.
Gold Price Per Gram in Saudi Arabia (SAR)
| Karat | Purity | SAR per Gram | USD per Gram |
|---|---|---|---|
| 24 Karat (999) | 99.9% | SAR 578 | $154.23 |
| 22 Karat (916) | 91.6% | SAR 530 | $141.38 |
| 21 Karat (875) | 87.5% | SAR 506 | $134.96 |
| 18 Karat (750) | 75.0% | SAR 434 | $115.67 |
| 14 Karat (585) | 58.5% | SAR 338 | $90.25 |
Gold Price Per Tola in Saudi Arabia (SAR)
One tola = 11.664 grams — a common weight unit used across South Asia and the Gulf. Many Pakistani and Indian expats in Saudi Arabia think in tolas.
| Karat | SAR per Tola | USD per Tola |
|---|---|---|
| 24 Karat | SAR 6,742 | $1,798.85 |
| 22 Karat | SAR 6,182 | $1,648.65 |
| 21 Karat | SAR 5,904 | $1,574.23 |
| 18 Karat | SAR 5,063 | $1,349.14 |
Saudi Arabia vs Dubai vs International: Price Comparison
Understanding how Saudi prices compare to neighboring markets helps you know whether you're getting fair value:
| Market | Premium Above Spot | 24K per Gram (USD equiv.) | Reason |
|---|---|---|---|
| International Spot | 0% | $152.70 | LBMA benchmark |
| Dubai (UAE) | +0.5% | $153.46 | Dubai Souk — near spot, low import duty |
| Saudi Arabia | +1.0% | $154.23 | Tiny VAT + local dealer margin |
| India | +11.0% | $169.50 | 6% customs duty + 5% AIDC cess |
| Pakistan | +5.0% | $160.34 | 3% import duty + local market premium |
Key takeaway: Saudi Arabia and Dubai are two of the cheapest places in the world to buy gold. If you're travelling from India or Pakistan, the price difference often justifies carrying gold back (within legal limits).
Where to Buy Gold in Saudi Arabia
Saudi Arabia has a well-developed gold retail market with options ranging from traditional souqs to online platforms:
1. Gold Souqs (Traditional Markets)
- Al-Zal Market, Riyadh — the oldest gold souq in the capital, known for fair pricing
- Tahliya Street, Jeddah — upscale jewellery strip with major branded stores
- Mecca Gold Souq — popular with pilgrims, thousands of shops; prices can be slightly higher due to tourist demand — always negotiate
- Al-Balad, Jeddah — UNESCO heritage area with traditional goldsmiths
2. Major Jewellery Chains
| Brand | Origin | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Damas Jewellery | UAE (regional) | Transparent per-gram pricing, certified purity |
| Malabar Gold & Diamonds | India (regional) | Popular with South Asian expats, competitive rates |
| L'azurde | Saudi Arabia | Local brand, wide karat range, mall presence |
| Mouawad | Lebanon (regional) | Luxury segment, high-karat certified gold |
3. Banks and Investment Gold
For investment-grade gold bars and coins, Saudi banks offer certified products:
- Al Rajhi Bank — gold savings accounts and physical bar sales
- Saudi National Bank (SNB) — investment gold products
- SABB (HSBC affiliate) — international gold products for expats
4. Online Platforms
- Hasala — Saudi-based digital gold savings platform (KSA regulated)
- Manafa — investment app with fractional gold (linked to physical vaulted gold)
- Wahed Invest — Shariah-compliant investment platform with gold exposure
Zakat on Gold: What Every Muslim Investor Needs to Know
For Muslim investors, Zakat rules on gold are critically important. Here are the key rules according to mainstream Islamic jurisprudence:
| Rule | Detail |
|---|---|
| Nisab threshold (24K gold) | 85 grams of gold (or equivalent value) |
| Nisab in SAR (approx. Apr 2026) | SAR 49,130 (85g × SAR 578/g) |
| Zakat rate | 2.5% of total gold value held for one full lunar year |
| What qualifies | Gold held as savings or investment (not worn daily jewellery under Hanafi school) |
| Jewellery Zakat debate | Hanafi: no Zakat on jewellery worn regularly. Shafi'i/Hanbali: Zakat applies regardless of use. |
| When to calculate | On your Zakat anniversary (lunar year), not at time of purchase |
Example: If you own 100g of 24K gold worth SAR 57,800 and have held it for a full year, your Zakat due = SAR 57,800 × 2.5% = SAR 1,445.
Buying Gold as an Expat in Saudi Arabia
Saudi Arabia's large expat population (roughly 40% of the total) creates unique buying needs. Key points for expats:
- No import restrictions on wearing jewellery — you can bring personal jewellery into Saudi Arabia freely
- Exporting gold: Personal jewellery is generally unrestricted. Carrying gold bars out requires customs declaration above certain amounts — check GAZT (Saudi Tax Authority) guidelines before travelling.
- VAT on jewellery: Saudi Arabia applies 15% VAT on gold jewellery but NOT on investment-grade gold bars and coins (0% VAT on pure investment gold above 99% purity).
- Currency advantage: The SAR-USD peg means expats from countries with weakening currencies (PKR, INR, EGP) get a transparent, stable price — no currency manipulation risk.
Saudi Vision 2030 and Gold Investment
Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030 program is diversifying the economy away from oil, with capital markets development as a key pillar. For gold investors this means:
- The Saudi Exchange (Tadawul) is expanding commodity and ETF listings — gold ETFs are expected to launch
- Digital gold platforms are being licensed by the Capital Market Authority (CMA)
- Saudi Arabia's foreign reserves include gold as part of diversification strategy — central bank buying supports global prices
Key Buying Tips for Saudi Arabia
- Always check the daily official rate: Saudi jewellers are required to display the daily gold price — compare it to the international spot before you buy
- Negotiate the making charges: The gold price itself is fixed, but labour/making charges on jewellery (typically SAR 20–60/gram) are negotiable, especially in souqs
- Get a receipt: Always obtain a certified receipt showing karat purity, weight, gold price, and making charges separately
- Prefer hallmarked pieces: Look for official Saudi Standards Authority (SASO) hallmarks on jewellery
- Investment bars vs jewellery: If you're buying gold to store value (not to wear), gold bars are more cost-efficient — lower making charges and 0% VAT on investment gold
Use our live Saudi Arabia gold price page for real-time SAR rates updated hourly, or our gold calculator to convert any weight to SAR at the current spot price.
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