Free Scrap Silver Calculator
Estimate dealer payout for mixed scrap silver, flatware and broken jewellery. Add separate lots with different weights and fineness, exclude known non-silver parts, then compare gross melt value with buyer percentage and fees.
Mixed-Lot Scrap Silver Payout
Add up to 10 lots. Each lot can use a different weight unit and silver fineness. Leave recovery modelling to the Silver Melt Value Calculator; this page compares buyer payout and stated fees.
BUYER PAYOUT BREAKDOWN
LOT-BY-LOT VALUE
| Lot | Eligible weight | Fineness | Fine silver | Melt value |
|---|
The estimate uses each lot's eligible weight and fineness.
Scrap estimate only. Actual scale weight, assay, payable percentage, price timestamp, buyer margin, minimum lot, taxes, shipping and settlement terms may differ. Check collectible or antique value before selling as scrap.
Reviewed on 15 July 2026 using NIST precious-metals transaction guidance, official weight conversions, FTC silver-description guidance and LBMA silver-market conventions.
Scrap silver value depends on eligible alloy weight, actual fineness, the price basis and buyer deductions. This calculator keeps those parts visible and supports mixed lots so 925 jewellery, 800 flatware, 900 coin silver or other tested material does not have to be averaged manually.
Scrap Silver Value Formula
The tool floors net payout at zero and reports when fixed fees exceed the percentage-based offer.
How to Use the Mixed-Lot Calculator
- Group scrap by known or professionally tested fineness.
- Enter gross weight, excluded non-silver weight, unit and fineness for each lot.
- Add another lot for every different fineness or weight unit, up to 10 lots.
- Enter a current silver price and select its unit and quoted purity.
- Enter the buyer's payable percentage and separately disclosed fees.
- Review both the lot-by-lot melt table and final net payout.
Blank lots are ignored. A lot becomes active when a positive gross weight is entered.
Common Silver Fineness Marks
| Mark or description | Calculator fineness | Estimated fine silver in 100 g eligible alloy |
|---|---|---|
| 999 fine silver | 99.9% | 99.9 g |
| 990 silver | 99.0% | 99.0 g |
| 958 Britannia silver | 95.8% | 95.8 g |
| 925 sterling silver | 92.5% | 92.5 g |
| 900 silver | 90.0% | 90.0 g |
| 835 silver | 83.5% | 83.5 g |
| 800 silver | 80.0% | 80.0 g |
These are calculation presets, not authentication. A stamp can be false or may describe only one part of a repaired, plated or mixed-material object. Use a credible assay when the payout matters.
What Weight Should Be Excluded?
Scrap buyers normally value precious-metal content, so known non-silver material should not receive a silver fineness multiplier. Examples include:
- stones, beads, enamel, glass and pearls;
- cement, resin, pitch or plaster in weighted hollowware;
- stainless-steel knife blades, springs or mechanisms;
- base-metal handles, fasteners, backs or internal structures; and
- packaging, display holders and capsules.
How the Entered Silver Price Is Used
LBMA's wholesale silver convention refers to a troy ounce of material meeting minimum 999 fineness. The calculator defaults to a 999 quote basis and normalizes it before valuing fine-silver content.
Select a direct 925 or 900 basis only when the entered source explicitly quotes that alloy. This page does not fetch, reproduce or redistribute live benchmark prices.
Worked Mixed Scrap Silver Example
Assume two lots: 100 g of 925 sterling and 50 g of 800 silver, with no excluded material. Use an illustrative USD 35 per troy ounce 999 quote, an 85% buyer payout, USD 3 assay fee and USD 2 processing fee:
- Lot 1 fine silver = 100 g × 92.5% = 92.5 g
- Lot 2 fine silver = 50 g × 80% = 40 g
- Total fine silver = 132.5 g
- Total intrinsic melt value = approximately USD 149.25
- Buyer payout before fees = approximately USD 126.86
- Estimated net after USD 5 total fees = approximately USD 121.86
The price and buyer terms are illustrative inputs, not live market data or a typical industry offer.
Buyer Percentage and Fixed Fees
A buyer may structure a quote differently. Ask whether the stated percentage already includes refining loss, margin and testing, and avoid subtracting the same cost twice.
How to Compare Scrap Silver Offers
NIST Handbook 130's model method-of-sale guidance for precious-metal buying emphasizes weight conversions, metal-content percentages and the price per unit weight used to calculate a potential offer. For a clear comparison, record:
- measured gross and payable weight;
- assay or assumed fineness for each lot;
- price, timestamp, currency, weight unit and purity basis;
- payout, recovery or settlement percentage; and
- assay, treatment, minimum-lot, shipping and other fees.
Compare the final amount you receive and the weight returned if a lot is rejected, not only an advertised “up to” percentage.
Items That May Be Worth More Than Scrap
Check for collector, antique, artistic, brand or functional value before selling an intact object for metal content. Hallmarks, maker's marks, rarity, provenance, condition and completeness can matter.
- Rare or numismatic coins can carry premiums over melt value.
- Signed jewellery and designer pieces may have resale value.
- Complete flatware or tea sets can be desirable as objects.
- Recognized bullion products can carry fabrication or brand premiums.
Scrap Silver Calculator vs Other Silver Tools
Related Silver Calculators
Frequently Asked Questions
How is scrap silver value calculated?
Can I calculate several silver purities together?
What purity should I use for sterling scrap?
Should stones or weighted filling be included?
What is the difference between melt value and payout?
Does the tool include refining loss?
Does this calculator use today's silver price?
How many grams are in a troy ounce?
Can antique silver be worth more than scrap?
Is the estimated scrap payout guaranteed?
Official Reference Sources
Disclaimer: This calculator and guide provide general educational estimates, not an assay, authentication, live market quote, guaranteed buyer offer, appraisal, investment recommendation, tax advice or legal advice. Verify net weights, fineness, price, payout basis, fees, taxes and buyer terms independently.