Understanding Pakistani Gold Units: Tola, Masha, Ratti, and Grams
Traditional South Asian gold metrics are widely used across Pakistani Sarafa Bazaars in Lahore, Karachi, Rawalpindi, Peshawar, and Multan. Understanding the mathematical relationships between these ancient units and modern metric grams prevents common retail overcharges:
1 Tola (تولہ)
= 11.6638 Grams
= 12 Masha
= 96 Ratti
Standard benchmark unit for quoting daily gold bullion rates.
1 Masha (ماشہ)
= 0.972 Grams
= 1/12th of a Tola
= 8 Ratti
Used for weighing medium items like rings, earrings, and pendants.
1 Ratti (رتی)
= 0.1215 Grams
= 1/8th of a Masha
= 1/96th of a Tola
Smallest traditional fraction used for stones and fine weight adjustments.
How to Calculate 22K vs 24K Gold Price Difference
Gold purity is measured in parts per 24:
- 24K (99.9% Fine Bullion): Pure 100% gold, benchmarked daily on the Karachi and Lahore Sarafa markets.
- 22K (91.67% Hallmark Jewelry): Formula:
24K Rate × (22 / 24). If 24K is PKR 285,000, 22K is PKR 261,250. - 21K (87.50% Arabic Standard): Formula:
24K Rate × (21 / 24). If 24K is PKR 285,000, 21K is PKR 249,375. - 18K (75.00% Diamond Setting): Formula:
24K Rate × (18 / 24). If 24K is PKR 285,000, 18K is PKR 213,750.
What are Making Charges (Jorai) and Wastage (Kass) in Jewelry Buying?
When purchasing gold jewelry, the final receipt includes two additional costs on top of raw gold:
1. Making Charges (جڑائی - Jorai):
The artisan labor fee for casting, designing, filing, and polishing the jewelry piece. Usually billed as a fixed amount per Tola (e.g. Rs. 4,000 to Rs. 8,000 / Tola) or 4% to 8% of the gold value.
2. Wastage / Melting Loss (کاس - Kass):
Small gold loss incurred during soldering and crafting, traditionally quoted as 1 to 2 Ratti per Tola (1 Ratti = 1/96th or ~1.04% extra weight added to the billable gold total).
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
How many grams are in 1 Tola gold in Pakistan?
In Pakistan, 1 Tola equals exactly 11.6638 grams. It is subdivided into 12 Masha and 96 Ratti.
How do you calculate 22K gold rate from 24K rate?
Multiply the 24K rate by (22 / 24). For example, if 24K is PKR 285,000, 22K is PKR 285,000 × (22 / 24) = PKR 261,250 per Tola.
How many Masha and Ratti make one Tola?
1 Tola contains 12 Masha. 1 Masha contains 8 Ratti. Therefore, 1 Tola equals 96 Ratti (12 × 8 = 96).
What is a fair making charge (Jorai) per Tola in Pakistan?
Standard jewelry making charges typically range between PKR 3,500 to PKR 8,000 per Tola depending on the intricacy of the craftsmanship.
Pakistani Gold Tola, Masha, Ratti & Making Charges Master Guide (2026)
Complete walkthrough of 11.6638g standards, 22K conversions, wastage (Kass) detection, and jewelry invoice math.