Nisab, the hawl year, and the 2.5% rate — everything you need to calculate your zakat correctly.
Published August 29, 2026 · Reviewed by the Ihsabha Editorial Team
Zakat is one of the five pillars of Islam, and for most Muslims the first practical question is simple: how much zakat do I actually owe? This guide walks through the full calculation for cash, savings, and general wealth — the category that applies to the vast majority of people.
Start with everything that counts toward your zakat base:
Then subtract short-term debts you owe that are due within the year — what remains is your net zakatable wealth.
The nisab is the minimum threshold your wealth must reach before zakat is obligatory. It is typically calculated as the cash equivalent of 595 grams of silver (or, in some approaches, 85 grams of gold). If your net wealth is below this threshold, no zakat is due this year.
Zakat only becomes due once your wealth has remained at or above the nisab for a full Hijri year. Many people simplify this by choosing one fixed date annually — commonly the start of Ramadan — and calculating zakat on their holdings as of that date each year.
Once nisab and hawl are both satisfied, the zakat due is a flat 2.5% of your total net zakatable wealth.
Net zakatable wealth of $10,000, held above nisab for over a year: $10,000 × 2.5% = $250 due as zakat.
Skip the manual math entirely. Ihsabha's free Zakat Calculator handles nisab comparison and the 2.5% calculation instantly. If your wealth is mostly cash and bank savings, the dedicated Cash & Savings Zakat Calculator is even faster.
2.5% of your total savings, once nisab and hawl conditions are met.
Commonly the cash equivalent of 595 grams of silver or 85 grams of gold — many scholars recommend the (usually lower) silver value when combining it with cash savings.
Generally yes, if you reasonably expect repayment — though views differ on debts that are unlikely to be recovered.
This guide covers the standard, widely-followed method for general wealth. Specific assets — business inventory, mixed-currency holdings, or complex debts — can involve additional considerations. For anything beyond routine personal savings, confirm your specific case with a qualified local scholar.