What Is a Tola of Gold and How Much Does It Weigh?
Understand the tola, a traditional unit of gold weight. Learn its exact measurement and global market relevance.
A tola is a traditional unit of weight, primarily used for measuring gold and other precious metals. It serves as a common standard in various regions, particularly within the gold trade. This unit facilitates transactions and provides a familiar reference point for gold’s value in certain markets.
Defining the Tola
The tola is a precise unit of mass, standardized at 11.6638 grams. While its historical weight varied, modern usage has fixed it to this specific gram equivalent. One tola also translates to approximately 0.375 troy ounces. This unit is primarily used to quantify gold for purchases, sales, and as collateral for loans, especially in certain jewelry markets.
Historical Context and Regional Significance
The tola originates from ancient India, its name derived from the Sanskrit word “tol” or “tulā,” meaning “to weigh” or “balance.” Historically, it measured various commodities. The British colonial administration in India formally standardized the tola in 1833.
Despite the official adoption of metric units after 1956, the tola remains a commonly used unit for gold bullion and jewelry in the Indian subcontinent, including India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, and Nepal. It is also used in parts of the Middle East and Singapore. Its continued relevance stems from deep-rooted cultural familiarity and tradition in gold transactions.
Converting Tolas to Other Units
Understanding how to convert tolas to internationally recognized units like grams and troy ounces is important for gold trade and investment. To convert tolas to grams, multiply the number of tolas by 11.6638. For example, 10 tolas of gold equals 116.638 grams. Conversely, to convert grams to tolas, divide the weight in grams by 11.6638.
Since a troy ounce is 31.1035 grams, one tola is approximately 0.375 troy ounces. This means a troy ounce is roughly equivalent to 2.667 tolas. These conversions are valuable for comparing gold prices and quantities across different markets and for valuing gold assets.
Market Relevance and Purity
In several markets, particularly across South Asia, gold prices are frequently quoted per tola. This local pricing convention makes the tola a practical unit for everyday gold transactions. While the tola specifies gold’s weight, its financial value is also determined by its purity.
Gold purity is measured using the karat system or the fineness system. The karat system denotes purity in parts out of 24, with 24-karat gold representing pure gold. The fineness system expresses purity in parts per thousand, such as 999.9 for nearly pure gold.
Pure gold is soft, so it is often alloyed with other metals to enhance its durability for jewelry. This impacts its overall value even if the weight in tolas remains the same.