What the gold spot price is
The spot price is the price for immediate delivery of one troy ounce (31.1035 g) of pure gold. It is quoted per troy ounce in US dollars, under the ticker XAU/USD, and it moves continuously while the market is open. Every other gold price, from a bar to a ring, starts from it.
Spot is a reference price, not a price you can usually trade at. Dealers buy below it and sell above it, and the gap is their spread. Treat the figure here as a benchmark for checking quotes.
What moves the gold price
- Interest rates. Gold pays no interest, so higher real interest rates make it less attractive and lower ones make it more attractive.
- The US dollar. Gold is priced in dollars, so a stronger dollar tends to push the price down and a weaker one tends to push it up.
- Inflation and inflation expectations. Investors often buy gold as a store of value when they expect prices to rise.
- Central bank buying. Large official purchases add steady demand.
- Risk and uncertainty. Gold often attracts buyers during financial or geopolitical stress.
- Investment and jewelry demand. Exchange-traded funds, coin and bar buyers and jewelry demand all feed in.
No single factor explains a daily move, and short-term moves are hard to predict. Use the chart above for context, not as a forecast.
When the gold market trades
Gold trades almost around the clock on weekdays. Futures on COMEX in New York open at 6:00 pm Eastern on Sunday and run until 5:00 pm Friday, with a short break each day from 5:00 pm to 6:00 pm. Prices are quiet at weekends and on US holidays. Right now the market status is: Weekend close (Sun, Nov 8 2026 · 3:45 AM ET).
Spot price versus what you pay or receive
If you are buying coins or bars, expect to pay a premium over spot. If you are selling scrap, expect an offer below melt value. Work out both with the gold calculator, gold coin value and scrap gold calculator.
Frequently asked questions
What is the gold price today?
The gold spot price is shown at the top of this page in US dollars per troy ounce, with the equivalent per gram, per pennyweight and per kilogram. It is an indicative XAU/USD reference price that refreshes through the day.
Why does the gold price change every day?
Gold trades almost around the clock on weekdays, so the price moves with interest rate expectations, the US dollar, inflation, central bank buying and risk sentiment.
Is the price here the price I will get when I sell?
No. The spot price is for pure gold. A buyer pays a share of the melt value for scrap and charges a premium over spot for coins and bars. Use the calculators on this site to see both.
How do I convert the ounce price to a gram price?
Divide the price per troy ounce by 31.1035. For a pennyweight price divide by 20. For anything below 24K, multiply by the karat divided by 24.
Is gold priced in troy ounces or regular ounces?
Troy ounces. A troy ounce is 31.1035 grams, which is about 9.7% heavier than the 28.35 gram ounce on a kitchen scale.