Do you owe zakat in 2026? You owe zakat when your net zakatable wealth meets or exceeds the nisab for a full lunar year (hawl). For most U.S. Muslims using the silver nisab, that threshold is about $476 in mid-2026; the gold nisab is about $5,800. If your total zakatable assets on your zakat date clear nisab, you pay 2.5% on the combined pool - not on each account separately.
Next steps: zakat on retirement accounts, zakat on investments, where to give zakat, and the live calculator.
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Silver vs Gold Nisab (2026)
| Standard | Weight basis | Approx. USD (mid-2026) | Who uses it |
|---|---|---|---|
| Silver nisab | ~612g silver | ~$476 | Majority view for cash and savings (incl. AMJA/FCNA practice) |
| Gold nisab | ~87.5g gold | ~$5,800 | Conservative / some Hanafi applications for certain assets |
Metal prices move daily. Use the HalalWallet zakat calculator for live nisab rather than memorizing a static dollar figure.
What Counts Toward Zakatable Wealth?
- Cash, checking, and savings
- Halal stocks, ETFs, and mutual funds at market value
- Gold and silver held as investment (jewelry rules vary)
- Business inventory and trade goods
- Strong receivables you expect to collect
- Retirement accounts - see dedicated guide (scholarly methods differ)
What Is Exempt?
- Primary home and personal car
- Household furniture, clothing, and tools of trade
- Debts owed to you that are unlikely to be repaid (opinions vary)
The Hawl (One Lunar Year)
Wealth must stay at or above nisab for a full lunar year before zakat binds on that pool. Many Muslims simplify by picking a fixed annual date (often Ramadan) and measuring everything that day - a widely accepted practical approach.
Worked Examples
Below nisab - no zakat
Savings: $400. Below silver nisab → no zakat (and the person may be a valid recipient if in need).
Above nisab - zakat due
Savings $14,000 + halal brokerage $3,000 + cash $200 = $17,200. Zakat = $17,200 × 2.5% = $430 (before any debt deductions your scholar allows).
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Frequently Asked Questions
Do I combine all accounts before checking nisab?
Yes. Aggregate zakatable assets, then compare once to nisab.
Can debt reduce my zakatable total?
Some scholars deduct immediate liabilities due within the next lunar month. Long-term halal home financing is usually not deducted - confirm with your scholar.
What if I drop below nisab mid-year?
The hawl can reset when wealth falls below nisab under classical rules. Fixed-date practice still works if you consistently use the same method each year.
Does nisab apply to crypto?
Yes, if you treat it as zakatable property and hold it above nisab. See zakat on cryptocurrency.
Where should I pay zakat in the U.S.?
See where to give zakat in the U.S. for vetted categories and organizations.
Bottom Line
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See side-by-side comparisons of Shariah-compliant products, or let our matcher recommend the best options for your situation.
Nisab is the gateway - not the calculation itself. Know your date, aggregate honestly, use live silver nisab for cash wealth, and pay 2.5% when obligated.
