Understanding Gold Weight Measurements: Tola, Pavan, Sovereign and More
Gold has always been a symbol of wealth and prosperity in India. However, if you’ve ever tried to buy or sell gold, you might have noticed that its weight is expressed in different units — grams, tolas, pavans, sovereigns, and even ounces. Let’s decode these traditional and modern gold measurement systems and understand how they relate to each other.
1. The Gram – The Standard Unit Today
In India today, grams (g) are the most commonly used unit for measuring gold.
- 1 kilogram (kg) = 1000 grams
- 1 gram = 1000 milligrams (mg)
Jewellers display prices in “₹ per gram” of 22K or 24K gold, making grams the easiest and most transparent unit for customers.
2. The Tola – A Traditional Indian Measurement
Before the metric system became widespread, gold was traditionally measured in tolas.
- 1 tola = 11.66 grams (exactly 180 grains)
The tola is still used in some parts of India, Pakistan, Nepal, and the Middle East. For example, gold biscuits are often available in 1 tola (11.66g) and 10 tola (116.6g) bars.
Many modern jewellers and customers loosely refer to 1 tola as 10 grams for simplicity and easy calculation.
3. The Pavan (or Pavun, Savaran) – Common in South India
In South India, particularly in Kerala and Tamil Nadu, gold is often measured in pavan.
- 1 pavan = 1 sovereign = 8 grams
When someone says they bought “2 pavans of gold,” it means 16 grams. Pavan is the most familiar term in South Indian households for ornaments and wedding jewellery.
4. The Sovereign – The British Connection
The term “sovereign” originally referred to a British gold coin weighing 8 grams. Over time, it became a standard gold unit in India, synonymous with pavun.
- 1 sovereign = 8 grams.
Even today, jewellers in India commonly sell jewellery in sovereigns (8g multiples).
5. The Ounce (oz) – Global Gold Market Standard
In the international gold market, prices are quoted per troy ounce.
- 1 troy ounce = 31.1035 grams
When you see gold prices on international websites like Kitco or Bloomberg, they’re listed as USD per ounce. Indian jewellers then convert these prices into rupees per gram for local pricing.
Gold Conversion Table
| Unit | Equivalent in Grams | Common Usage |
|---|---|---|
| 1 Gram | 1 g | India (jewellery pricing) |
| 1 Pavan / 1 Sovereign | 8 g | South India |
| 1 Tola | 11.66 g | North India, Gulf region |
| 1 Tola (approx) | 10 Grams | Common retail reference |
| 1 Ounce (Troy) | 31.1035 g | International markets |
Why It Matters
Understanding gold measurement units helps you:
- Compare jewellery prices accurately
- Avoid confusion when buying gold abroad
- Understand purity and conversion when investing in coins, bars, or jewellery
Conclusion
Whether you’re buying gold jewellery for a wedding or investing in gold bars, knowing the conversion between tola, pavan, sovereign, and gram ensures transparency and confidence.
Gold’s value remains timeless — but its measurement can differ by region and tradition. A smart investor or buyer always understands both!
What Next?
Looking to invest in gold through mutual funds or ETFs instead of physical jewellery?
Explore CapitaGrow to discover smarter, transparent, and tax-efficient gold investment options.
Resources: World Gold Council
