Gold Prices Today

Gold prices fluctuate constantly throughout the trading day, influenced by a complex mix of global economic indicators, market sentiment, and geopolitical developments. Our displayed prices are updated regularly to reflect the current market conditions, giving you an accurate picture of gold's value in British Pounds per gram across different purity levels.

What Drives Today's Gold Prices

The daily movement in gold prices stems from multiple factors working in concert. Central bank policies, particularly those of major economies like the United States, European Union, and China, have immediate effects on gold valuations. Interest rate decisions directly impact gold's attractiveness as an investment, with lower rates typically supporting higher gold prices as they reduce the opportunity cost of holding non-yielding assets like precious metals.

Currency fluctuations, especially in the US Dollar, create instant ripples in gold prices. As gold is primarily traded in dollars globally, a weaker dollar makes gold less expensive for holders of other currencies, often driving up demand and prices. Conversely, a stronger dollar tends to put downward pressure on gold prices. Economic data releases such as inflation figures, employment reports, and GDP growth numbers can trigger significant price movements as investors assess how these metrics might influence future monetary policy.

Market sentiment and investor behavior, particularly during periods of uncertainty, often lead to increased gold purchases as a perceived safe haven. This flight to safety during stock market volatility, political instability, or global crises frequently results in rapid price appreciation for gold.

About Gold Carats

Gold carat (ct) represents the purity of gold in an alloy, with pure gold defined as 24 carats. This means 24 out of 24 parts of the metal are gold, with no added metals. As the carat number decreases, so does the percentage of actual gold in the item. This system allows both manufacturers and consumers to understand precisely what they're buying or selling.

In the UK, the most common gold carats for jewellery are 9ct, 18ct, 22ct, and occasionally 24ct. 9ct gold contains 37.5% pure gold and represents the minimum legal standard to be sold as gold in the UK. It offers affordability while maintaining some of gold's desirable properties. This lower purity means 9ct gold is more durable for everyday wear but has a lighter color than higher purity options.

18ct gold contains 75% pure gold and strikes an excellent balance between purity and durability, making it popular for premium jewellery. It offers a rich gold color while remaining suitable for daily wear. For traditional and cultural jewellery, particularly in Asian communities, 22ct gold (91.6% pure) is preferred. It has a deep, warm color and maintains significant value due to its high gold content, though it's somewhat softer than lower carat options.

24ct gold, at 99.9% purity, represents investment-grade gold. While it offers maximum purity and value, it's typically too soft for everyday jewellery and is more commonly found in investment products like bars and coins. The price difference between these various carats directly reflects their gold content, with higher purity commanding proportionally higher prices per gram.

Reading Our Price Tables

Our comprehensive gold price tables show the current value of gold across different weight units and purity levels. The prices are presented in British Pounds (GBP) and updated throughout the trading day. For each carat type, we calculate the precise value based on the pure gold content percentage, ensuring accurate pricing regardless of which form of gold you're interested in.

When comparing prices across different carats, you'll notice that the relationship between price and purity is proportional. For example, 18ct gold (75% pure) is priced at exactly 75% of the 24ct gold price. This transparent calculation method helps you understand the true value of different gold purities and make informed decisions whether you're buying, selling, or evaluating gold items.

Price Volatility and Market Hours

Gold prices tend to be most volatile during overlapping trading hours of major global markets. The period when both London and New York markets are active (afternoon in the UK) often sees the highest trading volume and potential for price movements. Asian market hours, particularly when Tokyo and Shanghai are trading, can also influence prices, especially when responding to regional developments.

It's worth noting that gold trades nearly 24 hours a day during weekdays, with only a brief weekend closure. This continuous trading across different time zones means prices can move significantly overnight in response to developments in other regions. Our regular price updates ensure you have access to current information regardless of when you check.

Using Today's Prices

The current gold prices displayed on our site serve as an excellent reference point for various purposes. For investors, they provide the foundation for calculating potential returns on gold investments or determining optimal entry points. For those looking to sell gold items, our prices help establish reasonable expectations for what your items might be worth based on their weight and purity.

If you're considering purchasing gold jewellery, understanding today's base gold value helps you assess whether the retail price represents good value when considering the craftsmanship, design, and brand premium. Remember that retail jewellery prices include significant markups above the raw gold value to account for manufacturing, design, distribution, and profit margins.

For a more complete understanding of gold's price performance, consider exploring our historical gold price charts. These provide valuable context on how prices have moved over time and can help identify patterns that might inform your decisions about when to buy or sell gold.