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Gold-to-silver ratio
How many ounces of silver one ounce of gold buys at today’s prices, what that number means, and a calculator to see what a different ratio would mean for your metal.
Today’s ratio
78.2 : 1
One ounce of gold ≈ 78 ounces of silver.
- Gold
- $4,072.10
- Silver
- $52.07
Spot per troy ounce
Updated Nov 7, 2026, 4:49 PM UTC
What if
Gold and silver ratio calculator
Today's ratio from the latest prices. Change it to see what another ratio would mean.
Equivalent silver
78.2 troy oz of silver
1 oz of gold ≈ 78.2 oz of silver at a ratio of 78.2 : 1 (about $4,072.10 at today’s gold price).
This compares spot prices only. Real swaps cost more: dealers sell above spot and buy below it, and premiums differ between gold and silver. A ratio you type here is a scenario, not a forecast.
Over time
How the ratio has moved
From Jul 29, 2026 to Nov 7, 2026 the ratio went from 70.0 to 78.2. It was highest at 79.8 on Nov 4, 2026 and lowest at 64.7 on Sep 22, 2026, so the latest reading is near the high end of this period's range.
Ounces of silver per ounce of gold, from the readings in our price feed. Times in UTC. Long periods are thinned to about 200 points, so very short spikes can be smoothed out.
The basics
What is the gold-to-silver ratio?
The gold-to-silver ratio is the price of an ounce of gold divided by the price of an ounce of silver. The answer is how many ounces of silver one ounce of gold would buy, usually written as that number “to 1”. At the latest prices on this page it is about 78.2:1.
Because it is one price divided by another, the ratio moves whenever either metal does. It can rise even when both prices fall, as long as silver falls faster. That makes it a handy way to compare the two metals without worrying about what the dollar is doing.
For centuries, governments fixed the ratio by law when they minted gold and silver coins, and it stayed much lower than in today’s markets. Since both metals began trading freely it has moved across a wide range, sometimes shifting a lot within a few years. For the full story, read the gold-to-silver ratio explained.
In practice
How people use the ratio
Comparing the two metals
Prices in dollars can't tell you whether gold or silver has moved more. The ratio can: if it rises, gold has gained on silver (or fallen less), and if it falls, silver has done better.
Choosing which to add
Some buyers who already plan to own both metals glance at the ratio to decide which one to add to next, leaning to silver when the ratio is high by its own past standards and to gold when it is low.
Swapping one for the other
A few holders swap metal when the ratio swings, for example trading gold for silver when the ratio is high, hoping to swap back for more gold later. It only works if the ratio actually moves their way, and every swap costs premiums and spreads.
Reading market mood
Silver is used heavily in industry as well as held as money, so it tends to swing harder than gold. The ratio has often climbed during economic scares, when gold held up better, and fallen when industrial demand was strong.
Watch out for
The limits of the ratio
- It isn't a forecast. A high ratio doesn't mean silver must rise or gold must fall, and it can stay high or low for years.
- There's no fixed “normal”. The average you get depends on the years you pick, and the old fixed ratios from when governments set coin values don't apply to today's markets.
- Spot isn't what you pay. Silver usually carries bigger premiums than gold, and you pay the dealer's spread twice when you swap, so a small move in the ratio can be wiped out by costs.
- Swaps can be taxable. In many places, selling one metal to buy another counts as a sale. Check the rules where you live before trading.
- Silver is bulky. The same money buys far more ounces of silver than gold, so storage, insurance and shipping cost more for the same value.
Good to know
Frequently asked questions
What is the gold-to-silver ratio?
It is how many ounces of silver you could buy with one ounce of gold at current prices. You get it by dividing the gold price per troy ounce by the silver price per troy ounce, both in the same currency. Our explainer on the gold-to-silver ratio goes into more detail.
What does a high or low ratio mean?
A high ratio means gold is expensive compared with silver, so an ounce of gold buys a lot of silver. A low ratio means silver is relatively expensive. It only describes the two prices against each other, not whether either metal is cheap or dear in dollars.
What range has the ratio moved in historically?
When governments fixed the value of gold and silver coins, the ratio was set by law and stayed far lower than it is in modern markets. Since both metals began trading freely it has swung across a wide range, sometimes changing a lot within a few years. The chart on this page, when we have enough readings to draw it, shows how it has moved over the period we have recorded.
Does a high ratio mean silver will go up?
No. People sometimes expect the ratio to return to an average, but there is no rule that it must, and it can get there by gold falling rather than silver rising. Treat it as one way of comparing the two metals, not as a signal.
Why might this ratio differ slightly from other websites?
Sites use different price feeds and update at different times, and a ratio changes whenever either price moves. If our prices are marked as delayed, the ratio is based on the last prices we have, so it is approximate.
Should I buy gold or silver based on the ratio?
We can't tell you that, and this page isn't financial advice. The ratio is a way to compare the two metals, not a reason on its own to buy, sell or swap. Read our gold guide and silver guide, think about your own goals and costs, and talk to a licensed adviser if you're unsure.
The ratio and calculator on this page use spot prices from an automated feed that may be delayed, and are for general education only. This isn’t financial, tax or legal advice, and it isn’t a dealer quote. If you’re unsure, talk to a licensed adviser before making decisions.