Kilo Bar
Also: 1 kg bar, Kilo-Bar, 1000 g bar
A kilo bar is a standardised precious metal bar weighing exactly 1,000 grams (1 kg), produced in cast or minted form for gold, silver, and other precious metals.
The kilo bar is one of the most widely traded bar sizes in private and institutional precious metals dealing. Weighing exactly 1,000 grams, it offers a comfortable middle ground between small denominations (1–100 g) and the large bars reserved for interbank trading (such as the 400 troy ounce LBMA Good Delivery bar). To calculate the current value of a kilo bar, you can use the gold calculator or the silver calculator.
Weight and Unit Conversion
One kilogram equals 32.1507 troy ounces in the troy weight system. This conversion is important because precious metal prices are always quoted internationally in troy ounces per US dollar.
1 kilo bar = 1,000 g ÷ 31.1035 g/oz = 32.1507 troy oz
Value (USD) = 32.1507 × spot price (USD/oz)
The current gold price and silver price as well as the daily exchange rate are available on this site.
Production: Cast or Minted
Kilo bars are produced in two ways:
- Cast bars are produced by pouring molten metal into a mould. The surface is slightly rough and each bar is minimally individual — a characteristic that makes counterfeiting more difficult.
- Minted bars are stamped from rolled strip and then pressed. They have smoother, more uniform surfaces and are particularly well suited for blister packs with assay certificates.
Leading manufacturers include Heraeus, Umicore, PAMP Suisse, Valcambi, and Argor-Heraeus. All reputable producers stamp the fineness, weight, serial number, and their mint mark directly into the bar.
Fineness Overview
| Metal | Typical fineness | Designation |
|---|---|---|
| Gold | 999.9/1000 | Fine gold (four nines) |
| Silver | 999/1000 | Fine silver |
| Silver | 999.9/1000 | Ultra-fine silver |
| Platinum | 999.5/1000 | Fine platinum |
| Palladium | 999.5/1000 | Fine palladium |
Tax Classification
Gold kilo bars with a fineness of at least 995/1000 qualify as investment gold and are VAT-exempt in most jurisdictions. Silver kilo bars are subject to VAT, though dealers may in some cases apply the margin scheme, which reduces the effective tax burden. Gains from the sale after a holding period of more than one year are generally tax-free for private individuals in many countries (subject to local rules). Note: This is not tax or investment advice — please consult a tax adviser.
Storage and Custody
A gold kilo bar has a volume of just under 52 cm³ at a density of 19.32 g/cm³ — it is surprisingly compact. Nevertheless, for multiple bars, professional storage in a bank safe deposit box or a certified bonded warehouse is recommended, since the value of a single gold kilo bar typically runs into five figures.
Distinction from the LBMA Good Delivery Bar
The LBMA Good Delivery bar used in international trade between central banks and commercial banks weighs between 350 and 430 troy ounces (approx. 10.9–13.4 kg) and is neither practical nor affordable for private investors. The kilo bar is the largest bar size routinely available in retail trade without a significant premium over the spot price.
In Brief
The kilo bar combines manageable handling with comparatively low percentage premiums — the larger the bar, the closer the purchase price to the pure material value. It is suitable for investors who want to build larger positions in physical precious metals while minimising premium costs.