Gold Weight Converter India: Tola, Sovereign, Gram & More
India uses more gold weight units than almost any other country — tola in the North, sovereign (pavan/pavadai) in the South, vori in Bengal, and ancient units like masha and ratti that still appear in traditional jewellery transactions. This guide converts all Indian gold weight units to grams, explains their origins, and shows you how to calculate the value of gold in any unit at today's live rates.
Gold Weight Units: Conversion Table
All Indian gold weight units converted to grams, with the regions where each unit is used.
| Unit | Weight in Grams | Used In | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 Tola | 11.664g | All India (especially North/West) | Most common Indian gold unit; 1 tola = 11.664g |
| 1 Sovereign | 8g | South India | Called Pavan/Pavadai in Kerala/Tamil Nadu; 8g = 1 sovereign |
| 1 Pavan / Pavadai | 8g | Kerala, Tamil Nadu | Same as sovereign — South Indian name |
| 1 Vori | 11.664g | West Bengal, Bangladesh | Same weight as tola, different regional name |
| 1 Masha | 0.972g | Traditional; rare today | 1 tola = 12 masha |
| 1 Ratti | 0.121g | Traditional; Ayurvedic, gemstones | 1 masha = 8 ratti |
| 1 Troy Ounce | 31.1035g | International markets, MCX | Standard for commodities markets |
| 1 Gram | 1g | Modern standard | All official IBJA/MCX rates quoted per gram |
| 10 Grams | 10g | Indian retail | Most rate boards quote per 10g |
Why Do These Units Exist?
Pre-metric India had a well-developed system of weights that varied by region and commodity. The tola and masha system derived ultimately from the weight of a ratti seed (Abrus precatorius), a small red-and-black seed with remarkable natural uniformity in weight. Ancient traders used ratti seeds as counterweights for precision scales — 8 ratti = 1 masha, and 12 masha = 1 tola. This gave the tola its value of approximately 11.664 grams, which was also standardised as the weight of the silver rupee coin under the Mughal empire and later the British colonial system.
The sovereign entered Indian gold culture through the British gold coin of the same name, which weighed 7.988 grams (approximately 8 grams) and was widely used in trade across British India, including the South. South Indian jewellery markets adopted the sovereign as their unit of choice, and it persists today as the pavan or pavadai in Kerala and Tamil Nadu.
India adopted the metric system in 1956 and the gram became the official standard. The Indian Bullion and Jewellers Association (IBJA) and MCX now publish all gold rates per gram and per 10 grams. However, traditional units remain embedded in wholesale and retail jewellery transactions across the country — particularly for high-value purchases where buyers and sellers share a common reference in their regional unit.
How to Calculate Your Gold Value
Once you know the weight in grams, the value calculation is straightforward:
Formula: Weight in grams × Current gold rate per gram × Purity percentage
Example — 1 tola of 22K gold:
- Weight: 1 tola = 11.664 grams
- Rate: Current 22K rate per gram (check today's rate on the homepage)
- Value: 11.664 × 22K rate per gram
Example — 5 sovereigns of 22K gold:
- Weight: 5 × 8g = 40 grams
- Value: 40 × 22K rate per gram
Use our live gold rate calculator to instantly calculate the value of any weight of gold at today's current rates across all karat purities.
Quick Reference: What Jewellers Say vs What They Mean
Common phrases used by jewellers and the actual gram weight they refer to.
| Jeweller Says | Actual Weight | Region |
|---|---|---|
| “1 tola set” | 11.664g | North/West India |
| “2 tola set” | 23.33g | North/West India |
| “half tola chain” | 5.832g | North/West India |
| “1 sovereign ring” | 8g | South India |
| “half sovereign” | 4g | South India |
| “10 sovereign set” | 80g | South India |
| “5 pavan necklace” | 40g | Kerala, Tamil Nadu |
| “2 vori bangle” | 23.33g | West Bengal |
| “quarter sovereign” | 2g | South India |
Always verify the exact gram weight shown on the jewellery hallmark or bill. Purity (22K, 18K, etc.) is a separate factor from weight and should be confirmed independently.
Today's Gold Rate in Top Cities
Now that you understand Gold purity, check the live rate in your city before you buy.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many grams is 1 tola of gold?
1 tola equals exactly 11.664 grams. This is the most widely used traditional Indian gold weight unit, especially in North and West India. It originates from the weight of a silver rupee coin under the British Indian system. Wholesale gold prices in India were historically quoted per tola, though IBJA and MCX now use grams as the standard.
What is a sovereign in gold (grams)?
1 sovereign equals 8 grams of gold. The sovereign was originally a British gold coin weighing 7.988 grams, which was rounded to 8 grams in Indian usage. It is the standard unit for gold jewellery transactions in South India, particularly in Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, and Andhra Pradesh. When jewellers in Chennai or Kochi quote a price per sovereign, they mean per 8 grams.
What is pavadai in gold?
Pavadai (also spelled Pavan or Panam in different regions) is the South Indian name for a sovereign — it equals 8 grams of gold. The term is used interchangeably with sovereign across Kerala and Tamil Nadu. So '5 pavadai of gold' means 40 grams. Some regional jewellers may use slightly different local conventions, so always confirm the exact gram weight when purchasing.
How many grams is 1 vori?
1 vori equals 11.664 grams — the same weight as 1 tola. Vori is the traditional gold weight unit used in West Bengal and Bangladesh. Despite having a different name, it is identical in weight to the tola used across the rest of North India. So if a Kolkata jeweller quotes a price per vori, it is the same weight basis as a Delhi jeweller quoting per tola.
How do I convert tola to grams?
To convert tola to grams, multiply the number of tolas by 11.664. Examples: 1 tola = 11.664g; 2 tola = 23.328g; 5 tola = 58.32g; 10 tola = 116.64g. To go the other direction (grams to tola), divide grams by 11.664. For example, 100g ÷ 11.664 = approximately 8.57 tola. To calculate the value of gold in tola, multiply: tola × 11.664 × current gold rate per gram × purity factor (e.g., 22K = 0.9167).