Pawn Shop Gold Price — How Much Do Pawn Shops Pay for Gold?

How Much Do Pawn Shops Pay for 14K Gold (and Other Karats)?

Pawn shops don't pay a fixed dollar amount per gram. They pay a percentage of the current melt value. That percentage varies by shop and location, but in practice most pay roughly 70–85% of melt value for gold they buy outright. Some shops pay a bit more in competitive areas; others stay closer to 70%.

So "pawn shop gold price per gram" is really: (gold price per gram for your karat) × (shop's payout percentage). For example, if 14K gold is $38/gram and the shop pays 75%, you'd get about $28.50 per gram. For 10K at $27/gram at 75%, that's about $20.25 per gram. 18K at $49/gram at 75% is about $36.75 per gram.

These are illustrative numbers. Your local pawn shop may pay more or less depending on competition, their overhead, and how much gold they want to hold.

How Pawn Shops Set Their Gold Price

Pawn shops make money in two ways: lending against items (pawn loans) and buying items to resell or refine. When they buy gold, they need to cover refining costs, labor, and profit, so they can't pay full melt value. They also factor in local demand and how quickly they can turn the gold into cash.

Many shops use a live or daily gold price (similar to what you see on our calculator) and then apply their percentage. The more you know your melt value, the better you can judge whether their offer is in a normal range or too low.

Pawn Shop vs Cash for Gold vs Online Buyers

"Cash for gold" usually means any buyer that pays cash for gold — including pawn shops, local gold buyers, and mail-in services. The real difference is the payout and speed.

• Pawn shops: Same-day cash, but often 70–80% of melt. Best when you need money quickly and accept a lower price.
• Local gold buyers / jewelers: Same-day or next-day, often 75–90%. Worth getting a quote to compare.
• Online / mail-in gold buyers: You ship your gold and wait a few days to two weeks. Many pay 80–90% of melt. Better price, less convenience.

If you're not in a rush, getting a quote from an online buyer or a local gold buyer in addition to a pawn shop can show you how much you're giving up for speed.

How to Negotiate at a Pawn Shop

Come in knowing your gold's approximate melt value. Use our scrap gold calculator below with the correct weight and karat so you have a number in mind. Then:

• Ask how they price gold (e.g. "What percentage of melt do you pay?"). Some will say; others will just give an offer.
• If the first offer is low, say you know the melt value and were expecting something closer to 75–80%. You can walk away and try another shop.
• Make sure they weigh in front of you and that you agree on karat. Don't accept a price until you've seen the scale and the math.

When to Use a Pawn Shop vs Mail-In or Refinery

Use a pawn shop when you need cash the same day and are okay with a lower percentage of melt. Use a local gold buyer or jeweler when you want a better price but still want to sell in person quickly. Use an online buyer or refinery when you want the highest payout and can wait for shipping and processing. For a full comparison of all options, see our how to sell gold guide.

Estimate Your Gold's Melt Value Before You Go

Know your melt value so you can judge a pawn shop offer. Enter your weight and purity below.