Gold in the UAE is weighed in grams, but many shoppers from South Asia still think in tola. This page explains how the two meet in the UAE, how to read a UAE gold receipt, and why the tola weight does not change here. For the full background of the unit, see our comprehensive bullion mass conversion tool.
How the Tola Unit Is Used in the UAE
The tola is a traditional unit from South Asia. In the UAE it is a spoken unit more than a written one:
In short, you can talk about gold in tola in the UAE, but the weight you pay for is the one on the scale, in grams.
Does the Tola Weight Change in the UAE?
No. The tola weighs the same in the UAE as anywhere else. It is the standard South Asian tola of 180 troy grains, which is 11.6638 g, and 11.664 g is the same weight rounded to three decimals. There is no separate "UAE tola", and the same weight applies in Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Sharjah and every other emirate.
How to Convert Tola to Grams in the UAE
- 1Write down the weight in tola.
- 2Multiply by 11.6638.
- 3Round to two or three decimal places.
Examples
To go the other way, divide the grams by 11.6638. A 35 g chain is 35 ÷ 11.6638 = 3.0007 tola, so it is just over 3 tola.
Reading a UAE Gold Receipt: Weight, Karat and Hallmark
A UAE gold receipt usually lists the weight in grams and the karat. Use the tola figure you heard as a quick check:
- 1Convert the tola weight the seller said into grams.
- 2Compare it with the grams on the receipt and the scale reading.
- 3Check the karat on the receipt against the hallmark on the piece.
UAE law sets a fixed fineness for each karat. Under Federal Law No. 11 of 2015, wrought gold articles for sale must carry the official hallmark or a recognised foreign hallmark, and the hallmark shows the metal, its fineness and the hallmarking body. It does not show the weight, so the weight comes from the receipt.
The table below uses the legal fineness to show how much pure gold is in 1 tola of each karat. The total weight of the tola stays 11.6638 g.
| Karat | Legal fineness | Pure gold in 1 tola |
|---|---|---|
| 24K | 999 | 11.6521 g |
| 22K | 916 | 10.6840 g |
| 21K | 875 | 10.2058 g |
| 18K | 750 | 8.7479 g |
Tola and the Troy Ounce in the UAE
Global gold trading uses the troy ounce. A troy ounce is 31.1035 g, which is 2.6667 tola. One tola is 0.375 troy ounce.
Do not mix up the two. A seller who says "one ounce" means a weight about 2.7 times heavier than a tola.
Where to Buy Gold in the UAE
The United Arab Emirates is globally celebrated as the "City of Gold" and one of the world's most trusted destinations for purchasing precious metals. Whether you are seeking physical investment bullion (such as 24K cast bars, minted coins, or 10-tola TT bars) or exquisite 22K, 21K, and 18K bridal jewellery, the UAE offers world-famous historic souks, dedicated jewellery parks, and luxury retail malls across every emirate.
Gold trade across the UAE is strictly regulated: commercial scales are inspected by MoIAT, fineness is audited by municipal assay laboratories (such as Dubai Central Laboratory's Bareeq certification), and base retail rates per gram follow the daily benchmarks established by regional jewellery groups.
| EMIRATE / REGION | FAMOUS MARKETS & HUBS | SPECIALTY |
|---|---|---|
| Dubai (Deira) | Dubai Gold Souk, Gold Souk Extension | World's premier gold market, 300+ retailers, raw 24K bullion, TT bars, competitive making charges |
| Dubai (Bur Dubai) | Meena Bazaar, Al Fahidi Street | South Asian bridal jewellery, lightweight 22K sets, custom artisan crafting, negotiable making charges |
| Dubai (Al Quoz) | Gold & Diamond Park (Sheikh Zayed Road) | Bespoke jewellery manufacture, diamond-set gold, custom casting, modern air-conditioned boutique experience |
| Dubai (Downtown) | The Dubai Mall (The Souk), Mall of the Emirates | International luxury flagship boutiques, certified high-end designer collections, hallmark guarantee |
| Abu Dhabi | Madinat Zayed Gold Centre, Hamdan Street | 70+ specialized jewellery stores under one roof, 21K Arabic gold, 22K South Asian bridal ornaments, investment coins |
| Sharjah | Central Souk (Blue Souk / Souk Al Markazi), Rolla Market | Architectural landmark, authentic Bedouin and Gulf gold jewellery, handcrafted antique ornaments, low overhead rates |
| Ajman | Ajman Gold Souk (Al Bustan) | Famous for significantly lower making charges, custom wedding sets, traditional Arabian bridal jewellery |
| Ras Al Khaimah | Old RAK Gold Souk, Kuwaiti Street | Traditional Emirati 21K solid gold bangles, heritage bridal ornaments, local artisan goldsmiths |
| Fujairah | Fujairah Gold Souk (Hamad Bin Abdulla Road) | East Coast bullion trade, regional jewellery crafting, cross-border Gulf gold trading |
Essential Advice for Buying Gold in the UAE
1. Check the Daily Rate per Gram: The base gold rate in the UAE is pegged to international markets and updated throughout the day by the Dubai Gold & Jewellery Group (DGJG). The gold rate itself is non-negotiable.
2. Negotiate the Making Charges: Making charges (karigari) cover the craftsmanship and design. Unlike the fixed gold rate, making charges are flexible and can often be negotiated down, especially in traditional souks or for heavier weights.
3. Verify the Official Hallmark: Ensure the piece carries an official hallmark showing karat and fineness (999 for 24K, 916 for 22K, 875 for 21K, 750 for 18K) or certification such as the Dubai Central Laboratory Bareeq mark.
4. Weigh on the Calibrated Scale in Grams: Always watch the digital scale reading in grams. If you discussed the weight in tola, convert it using 1 tola = 11.6638 g to verify that the weight on the scale and receipt aligns with what you agreed.
5. Request an Itemized Tax Invoice: The receipt must state the item description, exact gram weight, karat/fineness, prevailing gold rate, making charges, and the 5% VAT separately. Tourists can validate eligible purchases at airport kiosks for a VAT refund.
Comparing South Asian & Western Markets
Since Dubai is a global gold hub, many travellers compare rates across origins: explore Pakistani Sarafa market conventions, or review British precious metal hallmarking standards and Nepal gold trading benchmarks. You can also explore our universal gold conversion calculator.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is the best place to buy gold in the UAE?
The most famous destination is the Deira Gold Souk in Dubai, home to over 300 gold retailers offering competitive prices, bullion bars, and jewellery. Other premier locations include Meena Bazaar in Bur Dubai (for South Asian bridal jewellery), the Gold & Diamond Park in Al Quoz (for custom craftsmanship), Madinat Zayed Gold Centre in Abu Dhabi, and the Blue Souk (Central Souk) in Sharjah.
Is the tola an official unit in the UAE?
Gold in the UAE is weighed in grams. The tola is a traditional unit that many people understand, but scales and receipts use grams.
Is a UAE tola different from an Indian or Pakistani tola?
No. It is the same 11.6638 g.
Do gold shops in Dubai use tola?
Many sellers understand it and some quote it, especially to South Asian customers. Your receipt and the shop scale will still show grams.
Why do I see both 11.664 g and 11.6638 g?
They are the same tola. 11.664 g is the exact value rounded to three decimals.
My seller said "3 tola" but the receipt shows a different weight. What should I do?
Convert 3 tola to grams, which is 34.9914 g, and compare it with the receipt. If the numbers do not match, ask the seller to weigh the piece again on the shop scale.
How many tola are in a troy ounce?
One troy ounce is 2.6667 tola.
Does the UAE hallmark show the weight of the gold?
No. The hallmark shows the type of metal, its fineness and the hallmarking body. The weight is on the receipt.
How do I verify Dubai gold purity and scale weight?
Dubai Municipal inspectors inspect trade scales annually to guarantee precision. For technical questions on our formulas, read our calculation methodology and verification standards, or reach our conversion specialists.