If there is one thing that unites India from Kashmir to Kanyakumari, it’s our undying love for gold. It is not just a metal for us; it is "Stree Dhan" (a woman’s wealth), a safety net for bad days, and the glittering centerpiece of every big fat Indian wedding.
But while our love for gold is universal, the language we use to measure it is beautifully diverse and often incredibly confusing.
Have you ever walked into a jewelry shop in Delhi and heard a family arguing about the price of "5 Tolas"?
Or visited a traditional jeweler in Chennai, where the aunties are calculating the cost of "8 Pavans" of gold?
If you have stood there scratching your head, wondering, "Wait, how many grams is that exactly?" you are not alone.
While the modern world and the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) have moved to the gram as the standard unit, India’s rich cultural history means we still hold on to our traditional units.
From the Vedic Ratti (based on a seed!) to the British-influenced Sovereign, these units are more than just weights; they are a part of our heritage.
However, when it comes to money, whether you are buying a necklace, selling an old coin, or taking a gold loan, confusion can be expensive.
A slight misunderstanding of whether a tola is 10 grams or 11.66 grams can cost you thousands of rupees.
In this extensive guide, we are going to decode every single gold measurement unit used in India.
We will look at Tola, Pavan, Ratti, Masha, Bhori, Ana, Chhatak, and Varahan in detail. We will provide conversion tables, historical context, and real-world price calculations using today’s gold rates.
The Gold Standard: Why Grams Matter
Before we dive into the traditional units that sound like poetry, let’s talk about the undisputed boss of the modern bullion market: the gram.
In modern India, the gram is the universal language of gold billing. Since the introduction of the metric system and mandatory BIS hallmarking, the gram (g) and milligram (mg) have become the only official units for invoicing.
- 1 Kilogram (kg) = 1,000 Grams
- 1 Gram (g) = 1,000 Milligrams (mg)
No matter if your jeweler talks in Tolas, Pavans, or Bhoris, always ensure the final bill reflects the weight in grams. Consumer courts and insurance companies only recognize grams. If you are buying a "1 Pavan" chain, your bill should explicitly state "8.000 Grams."
The Tola
If you are from North India, Pakistan, or even parts of Maharashtra, the tola is likely the unit you grew up hearing about. It is the heavyweight champion of gold measurements in the region.
What is a tola?
The word "Tola" comes from the Sanskrit word "Tula," meaning a balance or scale. Historically, it was a Vedic measure of weight, roughly equivalent to 100 Ratti seeds.
During the British Raj, the East India Company standardized the Tola to equal the weight of one silver rupee coin: 180 troy grains, or exactly 11.6638038 grams.
How much is 1 tola in grams?
This is one of the most common and widely recognized units for gold in India. 1 Tola in grams equals approximately 11.66 grams.
However, you must be careful. In many local markets (especially for cash dealings or unorganized jewelers), the tola is sometimes rounded down to a flat 10 grams or 11.33 grams to make calculations easier.
This is often called "Market Tola" vs. "Pakka Tola." Always ask your jeweler which Tola they are using!
24K & 22K 1 Tola Gold Price
Calculated using estimated current market rates: ₹15,500/g for 24K and ₹14,200/g for 22K.
| Grams | 24K Price (Today) | 22K Price (Today) |
| 11.66 gram | ₹ 1,80,730 | ₹ 1,65,572 |
(Note: Prices fluctuate daily based on market conditions.)
How to Calculate the Price of 1 Tola of Gold?
Let's understand how to calculate the price of 1 Tola with a simple example.
- 1 Tola gold in grams = 11.66 gms
- Price of 1 gm Gold (Assumption) = ₹14,200 (22K)
- Price of 1 Tola Gold = 11.66 × 14,200 = ₹165,572
Tola to Gram Conversion Table
| Tola | Equivalent Grams (Approx.) | Common Usage |
| 1 Tola | 11.66 g | Gold Bars, Heavy Chains |
| 5 Tola | 58.30 g | Bridal Necklaces |
| 10 Tola | 116.60 g | Investment Bars (Biscuits) |
| 15 Tola | 174.90 g | Bulk Trading |
| 20 Tola | 233.20 g | High-Value Transactions |
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The Pavan
Travel down south to Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, or Andhra Pradesh, and the Tola vanishes. Here, gold is measured in Pavan (often pronounced Pawan) or Sovereign (locally Savaran).
What is a pavan?
The term "sovereign" is a direct legacy of the British colonial era. The British Gold Sovereign coin was widely circulated in India and became the standard for gold purity and weight. A standard British sovereign weighs 7.98805 grams. Over time, Indian jewelers rounded this off to a neat 8 grams.
So, when a Malayali family speaks of giving "100 Pavans" as wedding gold, they are talking about 800 grams of gold. It is the absolute standard for jewelry in the South.
How much is 1 Pavan in grams?
This is the standard unit for the southern states. 1 Pavan in grams equals exactly 8 grams.
24K & 22K 1 Pavan Gold Price
Calculated using estimated current market rates: ₹15,500/g for 24K and ₹14,200/g for 22K.
| Grams | 24K Price (Today) | 22K Price (Today) |
| 8.00 gram | ₹ 1,24,000 | ₹ 1,13,600 |
How to Calculate the Price of 1 Pavan Gold?
Let's understand how to calculate the price of 1 Pavan with an example.
- 1 Pavan gold in grams = 8 gms
- Price of 1 gm Gold (Assumption) = ₹14,200 (22K)
- Price of 1 Pavan Gold = 8 × 14,200 = ₹1,13,600
Pavan to Gram Conversion Table
| Pavan (Sovereign) | Equivalent Grams | Equivalent Milligrams |
| 1 Pavan | 8 g | 8,000 mg |
| 1/2 Pavan | 4 g | 4,000 mg |
| 1/4 Pavan | 2 g | 2,000 mg |
| 5 Pavan | 40 g | 40,000 mg |
| 10 Pavan | 80 g | 80,000 mg |
The Ratti
Now, let's look at the micro-units. The Ratti is perhaps the most fascinating ancient Indian unit.
What is a ratti?
The Ratti is based on nature, specifically the weight of the Gunja seed (Abrus precatorius). Ancient Indians noticed that these red-and-black seeds were surprisingly uniform in weight, regardless of where they grew.
Because of this consistency, they became the standard for weighing precious items like diamonds, gemstones, and gold dust.
Today, you typically won't buy gold jewelry in Rattis. However, if you visit an astrologer who prescribes a "Red Coral" or "Yellow Sapphire," they will almost certainly tell you to buy a stone of "5 Ratti" or "7 Ratti."
How much is 1 Ratti in grams?
1 Ratti in grams equals approximately 0.1215 grams. For general market calculations, it is often simplified to 0.12 grams.
24K & 22K 1 Ratti Gold Price
Calculated using estimated current market rates: ₹15,500/g for 24K and ₹14,200/g for 22K.
| Grams | 24K Price (Today) | 22K Price (Today) |
| 0.12 gram | ₹ 1,860 | ₹ 1,704 |
How to Calculate the Price of 1 Ratti Gold?
Let's understand how to calculate the price of 1 Ratti with an example.
- 1 Ratti gold in grams = 0.12 gms
- Price of 1 gm Gold (Assumption) = ₹15,500 (24K)
- Price of 1 Ratti Gold = 0.12 × 15,500 = ₹1,860
Ratti to Gram Conversion Table
| Ratti | Equivalent Grams (Approx) |
| 1 Ratti | 0.12 g |
| 5 Ratti | 0.60 g |
| 10 Ratti | 1.21 g |
| 50 Ratti | 6.07 g |
| 100 Ratti | 12.15 g |
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The Masha
What is a Masha?
A Masha is a traditional unit that sits between the tiny Ratti and the larger Tola. It is rarely used in modern jewelry stores but is still referenced in Ayurveda for medicinal dosages and in traditional bullion trading in rural North India.
How much is 1 Masha in grams?
1 Masha in grams equals approximately 0.972 grams.
Historically, the math works like this: 8 Rat
ti = 1 Masha and 12 Mashas = 1 Tola.
24K & 22K 1 Masha Gold Price
| Grams | 24K Price (Today) | 22K Price (Today) |
| 0.97 gram | ₹ 15,035 | ₹ 13,774 |
How to Calculate the Price of 1 Masha Gold?
Let's understand how to calculate the price of 1 Masha with an example.
- 1 Masha gold in grams = 0.972 gms
- Price of 1 gm Gold (Assumption) = ₹15,500
- Price of 1 Masha Gold = 0.972 × 15,500 = ₹15,066
Masha to Gram Conversion Table
| Masha | Equivalent Grams |
| 1 Masha | 0.97 g |
| 2 Masha | 1.94 g |
| 5 Masha | 4.86 g |
| 10 Masha | 9.72 g |
| 12 Masha (1 Tola) | 11.66 g |
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The Bhori (Vori)
What is a Bhori?
If you are in Kolkata, Dhaka (Bangladesh), or Tripura, you will hear the term Bhori (sometimes spelled Vori). It is essentially the Bengali equivalent of the Tola. The weight is identical, but the cultural terminology differs.
How much is 1 Bhori in grams?
1 Bhori in grams equals 11.66 grams. It is widely used for pricing gold ornaments in West Bengal and is the standard unit for "Tanishq" or "Senco" stores in that region when talking to elders.
24K & 22K 1 Bhori Gold Price
| Grams | 24K Price (Today) | 22K Price (Today) |
| 11.66 gram | ₹ 1,80,730 | ₹ 1,65,572 |
How to Calculate the Price of 1 Bhori Gold?
Let's understand how to calculate the price of 1 Bhori with an example.
- 1 Bhori gold in grams = 11.66 gms
- Price of 1 gm Gold (Assumption) = ₹14,200
- Price of 1 Bhori Gold = 11.66 × 14,200 = ₹165,572
Bhori to Gram Conversion Table
| Bhori | Equivalent Grams |
| 1 Bhori | 11.66 g |
| 2 Bhori | 23.32 g |
| 5 Bhori | 58.30 g |
| 10 Bhori | 116.60 g |
The Ana
What is an Ana?
You might know the "Ana" as an old currency unit (where 16 Anas made 1 Rupee). In weight terms, it follows a similar logic relative to the Tola. It is a smaller unit used for lighter jewelry items like earrings (jhumkas) or nose pins.
How much is 1 Ana in grams?
1 Ana in grams equals approximately 0.728 grams.
The calculation is 16 Anas = 1 Tola.
24K & 22K 1 Ana Gold Price
| Grams | 24K Price (Today) | 22K Price (Today) |
| 0.73 gram | ₹ 11,315 | ₹ 10,366 |
How to Calculate the Price of 1 Ana Gold?
Let's understand how to calculate the price of 1 Ana with an example.
- 1 Ana gold in grams = 0.728 gms
- Price of 1 gm Gold (Assumption) = ₹15,500
- Price of 1 Ana Gold = 0.728 × 15,500 = ₹11,284
Ana to Gram Conversion Table
| Ana (Aana) | Equivalent Grams |
| 1 Ana | 0.73 g |
| 4 Ana | 2.91 g |
| 8 Ana | 5.82 g |
| 16 Ana (1 Tola) | 11.66 g |
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The Chhatak
What is a chhatak?
The Chhatak is not a unit you will likely use for a ring. It is a bulk unit used in East India and parts of the North for raw material trading or significant family reserves.
How much is 1 Chhatak in grams?
1 Chhatak in grams equals approximately 58.32 grams.
The calculation is 1 Chhatak = 5 Tolas.
24K & 22K 1 Chhatak Gold Price
| Grams | 24K Price (Today) | 22K Price (Today) |
| 58.32 grams | ₹ 903,960 | ₹ 828,144 |
How to Calculate the Price of 1 Chhatak of Gold?
Let's understand how to calculate the price of 1 Chhatak with an example.
- 1 Chhatak gold in grams = 58.32 gms
- Price of 1 gm Gold (Assumption) = ₹15,500
- Price of 1 Chhatak Gold = 58.32 × 15,500 = ₹903,960
Chhatak to Gram Conversion Table
| Chhatak | Equivalent Grams | Equivalent Tolas |
| 1 Chhatak | 58.32 g | 5 Tolas |
| 2 Chhatak | 116.64 g | 10 Tolas |
| 4 Chhatak | 233.28 g | 20 Tolas |
The Varahan
What is a Varahan?
The Varahan is a unit steeped in history, originating from the "Varaha" gold coins of the Vijayanagara Empire (named after the boar avatar of Lord Vishnu). While less common in daily retail today than the Pavan, it is still used in South India for specific antique jewelry valuations or religious offerings.
How much is 1 Varahan in grams?
1 varahan in grams equals approximately 3.4 grams.
(Note: Historical variations exist, but 3.4g is the standard coin weight).
24K & 22K 1 Varahan Gold Price
| Grams | 24K Price (Today) | 22K Price (Today) |
| 3.40 gram | ₹ 52,700 | ₹ 48,280 |
How to Calculate the Price of 1 Varahan Gold?
Let's understand how to calculate the price of 1 Varahan with an example.
- 1 Varahan gold in grams = 3.4 gms
- Price of 1 gm Gold (Assumption) = ₹15,500
- Price of 1 Varahan Gold = 3.4 × 15,500 = ₹52,700
Varahan to Gram Conversion Table
| Varahan | Equivalent Grams |
| 1 Varahan | 3.4 g |
| 2 Varahan | 6.8 g |
| 5 Varahan | 17.0 g |
| 10 Varahan | 34.0 g |
Why Does Gold Measurement Even Matter?
You might be thinking, "Can't I just use grams and ignore all this?" Yes, you can, and for billing, you absolutely should. But understanding these units gives you a serious advantage in three specific scenarios:
The "Family Jeweler" Negotiation
When you buy from a traditional family jeweler (the "Sunar"), they often quote making charges (labor costs) "per Tola" or "per Pavan."
- If a jeweler says, "Making charge is ₹5,000 per Pavan," you need to know that covers 8 grams.
- If you don't know the conversion, you can't compare their rate with a big brand store that charges "15% per gram."
Gold Loans
When you pledge gold for a loan (with lenders like Muthoot, Manappuram, or banks), they will weigh your gold in grams and milligrams.
However, if you know your necklace is "5 Pavans," you can mentally calculate (5 * 8 = 40g) and check the current gold rate to estimate your loan eligibility before you even walk into the branch. It prevents you from being lowballed on the weight.
Antique Valuation
Inherited a heavy necklace from your grandmother? It was likely weighed in Tolas or Bhoris when it was bought 50 years ago. Knowing that 1 old Tola is 11.66g helps you understand the true current value of your heirloom.
Conclusion: What are gold measurement units in India
Navigating the gold market in India is like walking through a living museum. We juggle British Sovereigns, Vedic Rattis, and metric grams all in one transaction. But at the end of the day, gold is about value and security.
Whether you are buying a trendy 18K bracelet for office wear or investing in a heavy 10-tola bar for your future, understanding these units protects you from bad deals. It allows you to converse confidently with jewelers, whether they are in a glossy mall showroom or a narrow lane in a bazaar.
Remember the golden rule: Respect the Tradition (Tola/Pavan), but Pay by the Standard (Gram).
Next time someone mentions a "Pavan" or a "Bhori," you won’t just nod along you’ll know exactly what it’s worth.
