Scrap Silver Prices UK Today: What Dealers Pay Per Gram
Check today's scrap silver prices in the UK. Live payout tables showing what dealers actually pay for 999, 958, 925, and 800 silver. Calculate your scrap silver's value and find verified UK dealers for the best prices.
Silver Spot Price Today
Fine Silver (999) Per Gram
£1.72
Per Troy Ounce
£53.62
Source: London Bullion Market Association (LBMA) • Last updated: 18/02/2026
Today's Scrap Silver Prices by Purity
This table shows the melt value (spot) and what dealers typically pay at different payout rates. Most reputable UK dealers pay 75-90% of melt value for scrap silver, depending on purity, quantity, and buyer type.
| Purity | Hallmark | Spot/g | Dealer 70% | Dealer 80% | Dealer 90% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fine Silver | 999 | £1.72 | £1.20 | £1.37 | £1.55 |
| Britannia Silver | 958 | £1.65 | £1.15 | £1.32 | £1.48 |
| Sterling Silver | 925 | £1.59 | £1.11 | £1.27 | £1.43 |
| Continental Silver | 800 | £1.38 | £0.96 | £1.10 | £1.24 |
How to read this table: The "Spot/g" column is the theoretical melt value — the maximum your silver is worth. The dealer columns show realistic payouts. Most reputable buyers pay 80-90% for larger quantities of hallmarked silver.
Calculate Your Scrap Silver Value
Enter your silver's weight and purity to get an instant valuation
Use Silver CalculatorWhat Affects Scrap Silver Prices?
The purity of your silver is the single biggest factor. Fine silver (999) is worth 8% more per gram than sterling (925). Always check the hallmark before selling.
Hallmarked jewellery and bars are easy to assess and get better rates. Unmarked or mixed items need testing, which reduces the payout. Coins (especially Britannias) may command a premium above melt value.
Larger amounts get better rates. Selling 500g+ of hallmarked silver will typically get you 85-90% of melt value. A single small ring might only get 70-75%.
Different buyer types have different margins. Specialist bullion dealers have the lowest margins (best for you). High street pawnbrokers and "cash for silver" shops have the highest margins (worst for you).
How Much Do Dealers Pay for Scrap Silver?
The amount you receive for scrap silver depends heavily on who you sell to. Here's what different types of UK buyers typically offer as a percentage of the melt value:
| Buyer Type | Typical Rate | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Specialist Bullion Dealers | 80-90% | Best rates, may require minimum quantity |
| Online Silver Buyers | 75-85% | Convenient, insured postage provided |
| Local Coin/Antique Dealers | 70-85% | In-person, may pay more for interesting pieces |
| High Street Pawnbrokers | 60-75% | Instant cash, usually lowest rates |
| Cash for Gold/Silver Shops | 55-70% | Quick but typically the worst offers |
Common Scrap Silver Items and Their Value
Here are typical weights and values for common scrap silver items at today's prices (assuming 80% dealer payout):
| Item | Typical Weight | Purity | Melt Value | Dealer Pays (80%) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Silver Ring | 3-8g | 925 | £8.75 | £7.00 |
| Silver Chain Necklace | 10-30g | 925 | £31.82 | £25.46 |
| Silver Bracelet | 15-40g | 925 | £39.77 | £31.82 |
| Silver Bangle | 20-50g | 925 | £55.69 | £44.55 |
| Silver Spoon (dessert) | 25-40g | 925 | £50.91 | £40.73 |
| Silver Fork | 30-50g | 925 | £63.64 | £50.91 |
| Silver Photo Frame (6×4) | 50-150g | 925 | £127.28 | £101.82 |
| Silver Cigarette Case | 80-150g | 925 | £175.01 | £140.01 |
Values based on average weights. Actual weights vary significantly — always weigh your items. Prices at 80% dealer payout rate.
How to Sell Scrap Silver: Step by Step
Weigh Your Silver
Use a digital scale (jewellery scales cost £10-£30). Separate items by purity before weighing. Kitchen scales work for rough estimates but aren't accurate enough for small items.
Identify the Purity
Check for hallmarks: a lion passant means 925 sterling, a Britannia figure means 958, and 999 is fine silver. No hallmark? The item may be plated — look for EPNS, EP, or silver-plated markings. See our silver hallmarks guide for help.
Calculate the Melt Value
Use the payout table above or our silver calculator to know what your silver is worth. This gives you a baseline for evaluating dealer offers.
Get Multiple Quotes
Contact at least 3-4 different buyers. Prices can vary by 20-30% between dealers, which adds up quickly on larger quantities.
Sell to the Best Buyer
Choose the buyer offering the highest percentage of melt value. For small amounts, the convenience of a local dealer may outweigh a slightly better online price. For larger amounts, always go with the best rate.
Is It Worth Selling Sterling Silver?
Worked Example: 30g Sterling Silver Bracelet
You have a hallmarked 925 sterling silver bracelet weighing 30 grams:
Melt value (30g × £1.72 × 0.925)
£47.73
Good dealer (80%)
£38.18
Pawnbroker (65%)
£31.02
Difference: £7.16 more by choosing the right buyer — and that's on just one bracelet.
VAT When Selling Scrap Silver
Good news for sellers: When you sell scrap silver to a dealer in the UK as a private individual, no VAT is deducted from the amount you receive. You get the agreed price in full.
VAT (20%) applies when buying silver, not when selling. This is the opposite of gold, where investment gold is VAT-free to buy. For more on CGT-exempt silver options, see our Silver Britannia guide.
Tips for Getting the Best Scrap Silver Price
- ✓Get at least 3 quotes before selling
- ✓Know your hallmarks — 925, 958, and 999 get different prices
- ✓Weigh items yourself before visiting a dealer
- ✓Separate by purity — don't mix 925 and 800 together
- ✓Check today's price before negotiating
- ✗Accept the first offer without comparing
- ✗Post large amounts of silver without insurance
- ✗Sell to "cash for gold" shops without checking other options
- ✗Assume silver-plated items (EPNS) have scrap value
- ✗Sell potentially antique or designer pieces as scrap
How Much Is Scrap Silver Worth Per Ounce UK?
Scrap silver is worth up to £53.62 per troy ounce at today's spot price for 999 fine silver. Dealers typically pay 70-90% of this rate, meaning a realistic payout is £40.21-£48.26 per ounce depending on purity, quantity, and buyer type.
| Purity | Spot / Troy Oz | Dealer 75% | Dealer 90% |
|---|---|---|---|
| 999 Fine | £53.57 | £40.17 | £48.21 |
| 925 Sterling | £49.60 | £37.20 | £44.64 |
| 800 Continental | £42.90 | £32.17 | £38.61 |
One troy ounce = 31.1035 grams. For per-gram breakdowns, see our silver price per gram page.
Do I Pay Capital Gains Tax on Selling Scrap Silver?
Most scrap silver sales by private individuals fall below the annual CGT allowance (£3,000 in 2026/27) and attract no tax. Silver items are classed as “chattels” — tangible moveable property — which have a separate £6,000 disposal exemption when sold individually.
- +Single items sold for under £6,000 (chattels exemption)
- +Total annual gains under £3,000 (CGT allowance)
- +Silver Britannia coins (UK legal tender = CGT exempt)
- !Sets of items (e.g., a canteen of cutlery sold together) exceeding £6,000
- !Large collections sold in the same tax year
- !Silver bars or foreign coins with gains above the annual allowance
Tax rules are complex and personal circumstances vary. Always consult a tax adviser for large disposals. For CGT-exempt options, see our Silver Britannia guide.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much is scrap silver worth per gram UK?
Today's scrap silver melt values per gram are: Fine (999): £1.72/g, Britannia (958): £1.65/g, Sterling (925): £1.59/g. Most dealers pay 75-90% of these rates depending on quantity and buyer type.
How much do dealers pay for scrap silver?
UK dealers typically pay 70-90% of the melt value. Specialist bullion dealers offer 80-90%, online buyers 75-85%, and pawnbrokers 60-75%. The rate depends on purity, quantity, and whether items are hallmarked.
Is it worth selling sterling silver as scrap?
For plain, damaged, or unwanted items — yes. A 30g sterling bracelet is worth approximately £38.18 at today's prices (80% payout). However, designer pieces, antiques, or items with gemstones may be worth more through specialist sellers.
Do I pay VAT when selling scrap silver?
No. When selling scrap silver to a UK dealer as a private individual, no VAT is deducted. You receive the agreed price in full. VAT only applies when buying silver.
How can I tell if my silver is real?
Check for UK hallmarks: lion passant (925), Britannia figure (958), or the number 999. Items over 7.78g must be hallmarked. Use a magnet test (silver is not magnetic) or have items tested professionally. See our silver hallmarks guide for detailed identification help.
How much is scrap silver worth per ounce UK?
Fine silver (999) is worth up to £53.62 per troy ounce at spot. Sterling (925) is worth £49.60 per ounce. Dealers pay 75-90% of these melt values. For per-gram rates, see the payout table above or use our silver calculator.
Do I pay Capital Gains Tax on selling scrap silver?
Most private sales are CGT-free. Items sold individually for under £6,000 qualify for the chattels exemption, and annual gains under £3,000 fall within the CGT allowance. Silver Britannia coins are always CGT exempt. Tax rules are complex — consult a tax adviser for large disposals.
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Related Guides
Identify your silver's purity from its hallmarks — essential before selling.
Read Guide →Live scrap gold prices for all purities with dealer payout tables.
Check Prices →CGT-exempt Silver Britannia coins — value, tax benefits, and buying guide.
Read Guide →About the Author
Founder & Market Researcher
Taro has been actively investing in precious metals and financial markets for over 15 years. Frustrated by the lack of transparent, accurate gold pricing information in the UK, he built London Gold Exchange as a data-driven resource for fellow investors. The site combines real-time market data, verified dealer information from 242+ UK businesses, and insights drawn from years of hands-on experience in the gold market.
- ✓15+ years investing in precious metals & equities
- ✓Built verified database of 242+ UK gold dealers
- ✓Daily market data analysis and price tracking
Disclaimer: Scrap silver prices change daily based on global markets. Prices shown are indicative and based on LBMA spot prices. Actual offers from buyers will vary. Always get multiple quotes before selling. Last updated: February 2026.