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 for gold, silver and other precious metals in cast or minted form.
The kilo bar is one of the most traded bar sizes in both private and institutional precious-metals trading. Weighing exactly 1,000 grams, it offers a comfortable middle ground between small bars (1–100 g) and the large bars reserved for interbank trading (e.g. 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 (GBP) = 32.1507 × spot price (USD/oz) ÷ GBP/USD rate
You can find the current gold price and silver price as well as the up-to-date exchange rate on this page.
Manufacture: cast or minted
Kilo bars are produced in two ways:
- Cast bars are made by pouring molten metal into a mould. The surface is slightly rough and each bar minimally individual – a feature that hinders counterfeiting.
- Minted bars are stamped from rolled strip and then pressed. They have smoother, more uniform surfaces and are particularly well suited to blister packaging with an assay certificate.
Leading manufacturers include Heraeus, Umicore, PAMP Suisse, Valcambi and Argor-Heraeus. All reputable providers stamp fineness, weight, serial number and their mint mark directly into the bar.
Finenesses at a glance
| 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 treatment in the United Kingdom
Gold kilo bars with a fineness of at least 995/1000 qualify as investment gold and are VAT-exempt under HMRC rules (Directive 2006/112/EC). Silver kilo bars, by contrast, are subject to the standard VAT rate of 20%, although dealers may under certain conditions apply the margin scheme, which reduces the effective tax burden. Gains from the sale of gold bars may be subject to Capital Gains Tax above the annual exempt amount; the gain is calculated as disposal proceeds minus acquisition cost. There is no German one-year speculation period. Note: this is not tax or investment advice – please consult a tax adviser.
Storage and safekeeping
A gold kilo bar, with a density of 19.32 g/cm³, has a volume of just under 52 cm³ – so it is surprisingly compact. Nevertheless, for several bars, professional storage in a bank safe-deposit box or a certified bonded warehouse is advisable, as the value of a single gold kilo bar is typically in the five-figure sterling range.
Distinction from the LBMA Good Delivery bar
The LBMA Good Delivery bar customary in international trade between central 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 available at retail as standard and without a substantial 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 is to the pure material value. It suits investors who want to build larger positions in physical precious metal while minimising premium costs.