How many grams is a tola?
1 tola = 11.6638038 grams (exactly 3/8 troy ounce, the standard adopted when
the Indian Coinage Act fixed the tola against the troy system).
| Unit | Grams | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 1 tola (standard) | 11.6638038 g | 3/8 troy ounce |
| 1 tola (bazaar, older) | 11.664 g | Rounded value still quoted in some markets |
| 1 tola (Nepal) | 11.6638 g | Same as the Indian standard |
| 10 tola bar | 116.638 g | The classic "TT bar" of the Gulf gold trade |
Why two values exist
Before decimalisation the tola was defined as the mass of 180 troy grains. That
gives 11.6638038 g. Bazaar practice rounded it to 11.664 g, and some retail
scales are still calibrated that way. On a 10 tola gold bar the two definitions
differ by roughly 0.02 g — immaterial for jewellery, material for bullion
settlement.
Worked example
To price 3.5 tola of gold when the spot rate is quoted per gram:
3.5 tola x 11.6638038 = 40.82 g
40.82 g x spot price per gram = total