1 tola = 11.66 grams (exactly 11.6638 g). 1 thulam (tulam) is the South Indian name for the tola, so it is also 11.66 g, though some people loosely round it to 10 g. 1 pavan or sovereign (savaran) = 8 grams. 10 grams is the standard unit in which Indian gold rates are quoted. Today, jewellery in India is weighed and billed in grams, so always confirm the weight in grams on your bill. To find the price of any unit, multiply the per-gram gold rate by its weight in grams: × 11.66 for a tola, × 8 for a pavan and × 10 for 10 grams.
Ask an elder in the family how much gold is in a necklace and you may hear "two tolas" or "five pavans". Ask a jeweller and you'll hear grams. Check the news and the rate is quoted per 10 grams. No wonder buying gold can feel confusing.
This guide explains every common Indian gold weight unit (tola, thulam, pavan, sovereign, 8 grams and 10 grams), shows exactly how they convert, and how to work out the price of each.
Indian Gold Weight Units: Conversion Chart
| Unit | Also called | Weight in grams | Where it's used |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 Tola | Thola | 11.6638 g (≈ 11.66 g) | Across India, especially North India and Hyderabad |
| 1 Thulam | Tulam | 11.6638 g (≈ 11.66 g) | South India, especially Tamil Nadu |
| 1 Pavan | Sovereign, Savaran | 8 g | Tamil Nadu and Kerala |
| 10 Grams | "Per 10 g" | 10 g | Standard unit for quoting gold rates |
| 1 Gram | – | 1 g | The legal unit for weighing and billing jewellery |
| 1 Troy ounce | oz | 31.1035 g | International gold prices |
What Is 1 Tola of Gold?
1 tola is 11.6638 grams, usually rounded to 11.66 g. The tola is one of India's oldest weight units, standardised during British rule at 180 grains. It is still widely used in conversation, especially for gold biscuits and older family jewellery.
Traditionally, the tola was divided into smaller units: 1 tola = 12 masha, and 1 masha = 8 ratti. That makes 1 masha about 0.97 g and 1 ratti about 0.12 g. You may still hear "ratti" used for gemstone weights.
What Is 1 Thulam of Gold?
Thulam (or tulam) is the South Indian name for the tola, so 1 thulam is also 11.6638 g (≈ 11.66 g). The term is most common in Tamil Nadu. As with the tola, some people round a thulam to 10 g for convenience, so always confirm the weight in grams.
8 Grams: What Are a Pavan and a Sovereign?
1 pavan = 1 sovereign = 8 grams. The name comes from the British gold sovereign coin, which weighed close to 8 g. In Tamil Nadu it is often called a savaran, and in Kerala it is called a pavan. Wedding gold in these regions is often counted in pavans, such as "40 pavan" for a bridal set (320 g).
Many jewellers sell gold coins in 8 g and 10 g weights because they match these familiar units.
Why Are Gold Rates Quoted per 10 Grams?
Indian bullion markets, newspapers and news channels quote gold rates per 10 grams because it is a round, metric figure that's easy to compare. Jewellers, however, usually display the rate per gram, and your bill is always calculated in grams. To get the per-gram rate, divide the 10 g rate by 10.
How to Calculate the Price of 1 Tola, 8 Grams and 10 Grams
Multiply the per-gram gold rate by the weight in grams. The table below uses an example 22K rate of ₹14,500 per gram for illustration only. It shows the value of the gold alone; jewellery also includes making charges and 3% GST.
| Unit | Formula | Gold value at ₹14,500/g |
|---|---|---|
| 1 gram | Rate × 1 | ₹14,500 |
| 1 pavan / sovereign (8 g) | Rate × 8 | ₹1,16,000 |
| 10 grams | Rate × 10 | ₹1,45,000 |
| 1 tola / thulam (11.66 g) | Rate × 11.6638 | ₹1,69,125 |
| 1 troy ounce (31.10 g) | Rate × 31.1035 | ₹4,51,000 |
For a full jewellery price breakup, including making charges and GST, see our 22K gold bangles price guide.

Grams to Tola and Pavan Conversion Table
| Grams | In tola / thulam | In pavan / sovereign |
|---|---|---|
| 1 g | 0.086 | 0.125 |
| 5 g | 0.429 | 0.625 |
| 8 g | 0.686 | 1 |
| 10 g | 0.857 | 1.25 |
| 11.66 g | 1 | 1.458 |
| 16 g | 1.372 | 2 |
| 20 g | 1.715 | 2.5 |
| 50 g | 4.287 | 6.25 |
| 100 g | 8.574 | 12.5 |
| 1 kg (1,000 g) | 85.74 | 125 |
Tola to grams
| Tola / thulam | Grams |
|---|---|
| 1 | 11.66 g |
| 2 | 23.33 g |
| 5 | 58.32 g |
| 10 | 116.64 g |
Tips for Buying Gold by Weight
-
Always think in gramsJewellery is weighed and billed in grams. Convert any tola or pavan quote into grams before comparing.
-
Gross vs net weightFor stone-set jewellery, gross weight includes stones; net weight is the gold alone. Gold value should be on net weight.
-
Match purity to the rateUse the 22K rate for 22K jewellery and the 24K rate for coins and bars. See our gold purity guide.
-
Check the hallmarkEvery piece should carry the BIS hallmark and a six-digit HUID code.
Buy Gold by the Gram, with Full Transparency
Every Krishna Jewellers bill shows the gold weight in grams, the day's rate, making charges and GST, so you always know exactly what you're paying for.
- BIS hallmarked gold with HUID
- Old gold exchange available
- Seven showrooms across Hyderabad
Frequently Asked Questions
How many grams is 1 tola of gold?
1 tola of gold is 11.6638 grams, usually rounded to 11.66 grams. Some sellers loosely use "tola" for 10 grams, so always confirm the weight in grams.
How many grams is 1 thulam of gold?
1 thulam (tulam) is the South Indian name for the tola, so it equals 11.6638 grams (about 11.66 g). It is sometimes rounded to 10 grams in casual use.
How many grams is 1 pavan or 1 sovereign?
1 pavan, also called a sovereign or savaran, is exactly 8 grams of gold.
Is 1 tola equal to 10 grams?
No. The standard tola is 11.66 grams. Calling 10 grams a tola is a common shortcut, but it means 1.66 grams less gold.
Why is the gold rate quoted per 10 grams?
Indian bullion markets and media quote gold per 10 grams because it is a simple metric figure. Divide the 10 g rate by 10 to get the per-gram rate, which jewellers use for billing.
How do I calculate the price of 1 tola of gold?
Multiply the per-gram gold rate by 11.6638. For example, at ₹14,500 per gram, 1 tola of gold is worth about ₹1,69,125, before any making charges or GST on jewellery.
How many tolas are in 1 kg of gold?
There are about 85.74 tolas in 1 kilogram of gold, and exactly 125 pavans (sovereigns).
Which unit is used on a jewellery bill in India?
Grams. Under Indian law, jewellery is weighed and billed in metric units, so your bill should show the weight in grams, along with purity, rate, making charges and GST.
Questions About Gold Weight or Price?
Since 1983, Krishna Jewellers has helped Hyderabad families buy gold with confidence. Visit any of our seven showrooms to see your jewellery weighed in front of you, or message us for today's rate.
Today's Gold Rate Ask on WhatsApp







