View the live spot silver price per troy ounce, gram, and kilogram. This is the current price at which raw silver can be bought and sold for immediate delivery. The spot price fluctuates due to global trading. Dealers add a premium to this price to cover their overhead. Use the chart and calculator below to track the market and estimate melt value.
| Silver Spot Price | Bid | Ask | Change | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Price Per Ounce | $72.95 | $73.00 | $-1.94 | -2.58% |
| Price Per Gram | $2.35 | $2.35 | $-0.06 | -2.58% |
| Price Per Kilo | $2345.39 | $2346.90 | $-62.28 | -2.58% |
Default view shows daily averages for the last 30 days. Other ranges load on demand.
The current live silver spot price is $73.00.
| Standard/Purity | Spot Value Per Troy Ounce |
|---|---|
| Fine Silver | 73.00 |
| Britannia Silver | 69.96 |
| French First Standard Silver | 69.35 |
| 91 zolotnik Russian Silver | 69.20 |
| Sterling Silver | 67.53 |
| 88 zolotnik Russian Silver | 66.87 |
| US 90% Coin Silver | 65.70 |
| 84 zolotnik Russian Silver | 63.88 |
| Scandanavian Silver | 60.59 |
| German Silver 835 | 60.95 |
| German Silver 800 | 58.40 |
| Canadian Coin Silver | 58.40 |
| US 40% Coin Silver | 29.20 |
| US 35% Coin Silver | 25.55 |
Silver prices are driven by the trading of contracts in global financial markets. The spot price of silver is the current value per ounce based on the delivery of the contract at a future date. By being traded as futures on the COMEX, Shanghai, or LBMA market, most silver is sold long before it is produced into bullion products.
Spot prices are determined by the most recent trade in a continuous live market, reflecting the equilibrium between supply and demand. This price can change rapidly as new information becomes available and various macroeconomic and geopolitical factors evolve. The silver spot price serves as a benchmark for buyers and sellers. For instance, the prices of retail silver products, like coins or bars, are often set based on the silver spot price plus a premium to account for production costs, dealer markup, and other factors.
The spot price plays a critical role in the derivatives market. For example, the difference between the spot price of silver and the future price represents the time value of the commodity, costs of carry, and expectations about future supply and demand. Factors influencing the silver spot price include geopolitical events, interest rates, currency strength, economic data, and overall global economic health. For precious metals, additional influences might consist of mining costs, discoveries of new reserves, and any shifts in industrial usage or demand from investors.
Precious metals bullion dealers buy, sell, and price their products based on the spot ask and bid prices. The spot price of silver refers to the price of one troy ounce of silver. In order to be traded, silver must be of specific fineness and meet other institutional requirements.
The spot ask price is what commodity traders and bullion dealers will sell for per ounce. The bid spot price is the price at which the same groups buy silver.
Calculate the melt value of your silver using the same spot ask shown in the table above. This is an estimate of intrinsic metal value only—not dealer buy/sell quotes.
Silver prices are shaped by a combination of supply and demand factors, industrial consumption, and macroeconomic forces. Unlike gold, which derives much of its value from investment demand and jewelry, silver has a significant industrial component that makes its price behavior uniquely responsive to both economic growth and financial uncertainty.
Silver is essential to modern industry. More than 50% of annual silver demand comes from industrial applications, including solar panels, electronics, medical devices, batteries, and electric vehicles. The renewable energy sector alone has become one of the largest consumers of silver. Each standard solar panel requires approximately 20 grams of silver for its photovoltaic cells, and as global solar installations continue to grow, industrial demand for silver is projected to rise significantly.
Silver’s unique properties—the highest electrical and thermal conductivity of any metal—make it irreplaceable in many of these applications. When industries expand or new technologies emerge, silver demand tends to rise, creating upward pressure on the spot price.
Unlike gold, which is primarily mined as a primary product, approximately 70% of silver production comes as a byproduct of mining other metals such as copper, lead, and zinc. This means silver supply is partially dependent on the economics of other mining operations. When copper prices fall and mines reduce output, silver supply contracts even if silver demand remains strong.
Global silver mine production has been relatively flat over the past decade, hovering around 800–850 million ounces annually. Meanwhile, total demand has consistently exceeded mine supply, with the deficit being met through recycling and drawdowns from existing inventories. This structural supply deficit is a key factor supporting long-term silver prices.
Like gold, silver responds to changes in interest rates, inflation expectations, and the strength of the U.S. dollar. When the Federal Reserve lowers interest rates or engages in quantitative easing, the opportunity cost of holding non-yielding assets like silver decreases, making it more attractive to investors. Conversely, a strengthening dollar tends to put downward pressure on silver prices since silver is priced in dollars globally.
Central bank policies around the world, particularly in the United States, Europe, and China, have a direct influence on investor sentiment toward precious metals. Periods of monetary expansion have historically coincided with rising silver prices.
One of the most compelling arguments for silver as a store of value is its long-term purchasing power. While the nominal price of silver fluctuates, its ability to buy real goods has remained remarkably stable over decades. Consider how many ounces of silver it would take to buy a new car at different points in history:
| Year | Silver Price/oz | Avg. New Car Price | Ounces Needed |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1990 | $4.82 | $15,000 | 3,112 ounces |
| 2000 | $4.95 | $20,000 | 4,040 ounces |
| 2010 | $20.19 | $29,000 | 1,436 ounces |
| 2020 | $18.50 | $37,000 | 2,000 ounces |
| 2025 | $30.00 | $48,000 | 1,600 ounces |
The data reveals that while car prices have more than tripled since 1990, the number of silver ounces needed to buy one has actually decreased—from over 3,100 ounces in 1990 to roughly 1,600 today. This demonstrates that silver has not only kept pace with inflation but has outperformed it in terms of preserving purchasing power for major goods.
Silver and gold are often discussed together as precious metals, but they serve different roles in an investment portfolio. Understanding the differences helps investors make more strategic allocation decisions.
The gold-to-silver ratio measures how many ounces of silver it takes to buy one ounce of gold. Historically, this ratio has averaged around 60:1, though it has swung from below 20:1 to above 120:1 during extreme market conditions. When the ratio is high (above 80:1), silver is considered relatively undervalued compared to gold, and some investors shift allocation toward silver. When the ratio compresses (below 50:1), silver has typically outperformed.
Tracking the gold-to-silver ratio is one of the most widely used tools among precious metals investors for timing their purchases. You can monitor the current ratio using our gold and silver spot price pages.
Silver is significantly more volatile than gold. During bull markets in precious metals, silver tends to outperform gold by a wide margin. For example, from 2008 to 2011, gold roughly doubled while silver rose nearly fivefold. This higher volatility means silver carries more short-term risk but also offers greater upside potential for investors with a longer time horizon or higher risk tolerance.
At a fraction of gold’s price per ounce, silver is accessible to a much broader range of investors. This lower entry point makes it practical to accumulate meaningful positions over time, even on a modest budget. It also makes silver ideal for dollar-cost averaging strategies where investors buy fixed dollar amounts at regular intervals regardless of price.
Silver’s dual role as both a precious metal and an industrial commodity gives it a unique position in portfolio construction. It offers characteristics that are difficult to replicate with traditional financial assets.
When measured over multi-decade periods, silver has maintained its purchasing power against the erosion of fiat currencies. During periods of high inflation—such as the 1970s, the post-2008 era, and the 2020–2023 inflationary cycle—silver prices have typically risen alongside or ahead of consumer price increases. This makes silver a practical hedge for investors concerned about the long-term erosion of dollar purchasing power.
Silver’s price movements do not closely track stock or bond markets. This low correlation means that adding silver to a traditional stock-and-bond portfolio can reduce overall portfolio volatility without necessarily reducing returns. Financial advisors and institutions have increasingly recognized precious metals as a legitimate asset class for portfolio diversification.
Unlike stocks, bonds, or digital assets, physical silver is a tangible asset with no counterparty risk. It cannot be defaulted on, inflated away by a central bank, or deleted by a system failure. For investors who prioritize financial resilience and self-custody, physical silver offers a layer of security that paper assets cannot match.
The most significant factor influencing the price of silver bullion coins is the current spot price of silver in the global market. The spot price is the market price of one troy ounce of silver. Silver bullion coins are usually sold at a premium above this spot price. The premium covers the cost of manufacturing, distribution, and the dealer's profit margin.
The weight and purity of the silver in the coin play a crucial role in its pricing. Most silver bullion coins are one troy ounce and have a high level of purity, often .999 or higher. Coins with larger weights or higher purities may command higher premiums.
Dealers add their markup to the cost of silver bullion coins. This markup covers their operational expenses and profit margin. Different dealers may charge different markups, so shopping around can yield more competitive prices. Buyers who purchase larger quantities of silver bullion coins often receive volume discounts, reducing the premium per coin. Some dealers offer discounts for specific payment methods, such as bank wires or checks, while credit card payments may incur higher fees.
Coins issued by government mints such as American Silver Eagles and Canadian Silver Maple Leafs often carry higher premiums compared to similar-sized silver rounds or bars produced by private mints. This premium is due to the reputation and backing of a government entity.
Silver is subject to price volatility due economic conditions, geopolitical events and changes in investor sentiment. Extreme price swings and rapid fluctuations can create challenges for investors and traders seeking stability and predictability in the silver market.
Allegations of price manipulation in the silver market, particularly involving large banks and financial institutions have been around for decades. The SEC, DOJ and other government institutions have opened various criminal investigations into market manipulation. A variety of court convictions in recent years proves that various entities have been actively manipulating the price of silver through activities such as spoofing, wash trading, and coordinated selling by actors within a number of global financial institutions. These allegations have led to investigations by regulatory bodies and legal actions which have led to individual criminal convictions, with several global banks paying record fines and settlements to lawsuits brought about by the government.
In the past, the London Silver Fix, which had been established as the benchmark price for silver, faced allegations of price manipulation. In response to these concerns, new mechanisms for the discovery of silver prices has been introduced by the LBMA to suggest transparency and credibility.
The silver market has seen instances where speculators and various online communities have sought to initiate a “short squeeze” by aggressively buying silver contracts or physical silver in an attempt to drive up the price. These activities can result in significant short-term price volatility and raise questions about the integrity and efficiency of the market.
Technical analysis uses historical price data and chart patterns to identify potential trends and turning points in silver’s price. While no method can predict future prices with certainty, understanding common technical patterns helps investors make more informed buying and selling decisions.
Moving averages are among the most widely followed indicators in the silver market. The 50-day and 200-day simple moving averages (SMA) are particularly important. When the 50-day SMA crosses above the 200-day SMA—a pattern known as a “golden cross”—it is generally interpreted as a bullish signal. The opposite pattern, where the 50-day crosses below the 200-day (a “death cross”), is considered bearish.
The Relative Strength Index (RSI) measures the speed and magnitude of recent price changes on a scale of 0 to 100. An RSI above 70 suggests silver may be overbought and due for a pullback, while an RSI below 30 indicates oversold conditions that could precede a rebound. These readings are most useful when combined with other indicators rather than used in isolation.
Support levels are price points where silver has historically found buying interest, preventing further decline. Resistance levels are prices where selling pressure has historically increased. These levels often correspond to round numbers (such as $25, $30, or $50 per ounce) or previous highs and lows.
For long-term silver investors, watching these levels can help with timing purchases. Buying near established support levels has historically offered better entry points than buying after extended rallies into resistance.
Silver’s price history includes several notable technical patterns. The 2010–2011 rally exhibited a classic parabolic pattern, where prices accelerated from $17 to nearly $50 in less than a year before reversing sharply. The 2020 breakout above $20 after years of consolidation followed a textbook “cup and handle” pattern on the monthly chart, signaling a structural shift in the long-term trend.
More recently, silver’s price action has been characterized by a series of higher lows on the weekly chart, a pattern that technical analysts interpret as building momentum for a potential breakout above prior resistance levels. These multi-year patterns are particularly meaningful because they reflect fundamental shifts in supply, demand, and investor sentiment rather than short-term noise.
The troy ounce originates from the Roman monetary system and was used throughout the Middle Ages in Europe. The term “troy” is believed to be derived from the city of Troyes in France, a major trading hub in the 9th and 10th centuries where merchants from around the world would trade goods.
The troy system was later adopted by the British and other countries for weighing precious metals like gold, silver, and gemstones. In 1527, King Henry VIII officially adopted the troy ounce as the standard unit of measure for gold and silver in England, further solidifying its use in precious metal transactions.
The system was introduced to England in the 9th Century by traders doing business with Byzantine Empire. The system was named after the Roman trading city of Troyes in France, a major trading city in the Middle Ages. This system of measurement spread throughout Europe for the trade and exchange of precious metals.
The troy system was introduced into England following the Norman Conquest in 1066. By the 1400s, the troy weight system was officially adopted in England for the trading and weighing of precious metals. The British Pound Sterling, originally denoting a pound of sterling silver, reflects this ancient connection between weight and currency. The troy measurement system became the official standard for gold and silver in Britain in 1527 under King Henry VIII.
It’s worth noting that the troy ounce is heavier than the more common avoirdupois ounce that is used to weigh most other items in the U.S. The troy system’s division into 12 ounces (reflecting the old Roman libra) is also in contrast to the avoirdupois system’s division of 16 ounces to a pound.
Today, the troy weight system is used almost exclusively in the precious metals industry. When you buy an ounce of gold or silver, it’s a troy ounce. Similarly, when precious metals are mined, they’re weighed using the troy system.
FindBullionPrices.com is an independent precious metals price comparison platform. Our spot price data is sourced from live commodity market feeds and updated throughout the trading day. We are not a bullion dealer—we compare prices across many online dealers so you can find competitive premiums.
Learn more about how we collect and verify pricing on our methodology page. For information about the dealers we track, visit our dealer directory.
The silver price today is shown in the chart and table above, updated in real-time during market hours. Silver trades nearly 24 hours a day, so the price you see reflects the most recent transaction on global commodity exchanges. Refresh this page for the latest price.
The silver spot price is the current market price for one troy ounce of silver for immediate delivery. It is determined by continuous trading on global exchanges including the COMEX (Commodity Exchange), the London Bullion Market Association (LBMA), and the Shanghai Gold Exchange. The spot price serves as the baseline for all physical silver transactions—dealers add a premium above spot to cover manufacturing, distribution, and their profit margin.
The silver spot price is derived from the most actively traded near-month futures contracts on the COMEX division of the New York Mercantile Exchange (NYMEX). The price is also influenced by the London Silver Fix, now known as the LBMA Silver Price, which is determined through an electronic auction process run by ICE Benchmark Administration. These prices are published twice daily and serve as reference points for institutional transactions worldwide.
The bid price is the highest price a buyer is currently willing to pay for silver. The ask price is the lowest price a seller is willing to accept. The difference between the two is called the bid-ask spread. When selling silver to a dealer, you will typically receive a price near the bid. When buying, you will pay near the ask price plus the dealer’s premium. The bid-ask spread varies throughout the day based on market liquidity and volatility.
Silver is actively traded around the clock from Sunday evening through Friday afternoon (U.S. Eastern Time). During trading hours, the price can change multiple times per second as new trades are executed. Our chart updates every 60 seconds to show you the most current price. Outside of trading hours, the spot price remains fixed at the last traded price.
Silver prices are influenced by industrial demand (especially from solar energy, electronics, and automotive sectors), investment demand, mine supply, recycling rates, central bank monetary policies, inflation expectations, currency exchange rates, and geopolitical events. Silver’s dual role as both an industrial metal and a precious metal means it responds to both economic growth signals and safe-haven demand during uncertainty.
Physical silver cannot typically be purchased at the exact spot price. Dealers charge a premium above spot to cover the costs of manufacturing, procurement, shipping, and their business margins. Premiums vary by product type—generic silver rounds and bars generally carry lower premiums than government-minted coins. You can compare current dealer prices and premiums on FindBullionPrices.com to find the lowest available markup.
The premium over spot is the additional cost above the raw silver value that you pay when purchasing a physical silver product. For example, if the spot price is $30 per ounce and you buy a 1 oz silver round for $33, the premium over spot is $3, or 10%. Premiums are influenced by product type, mint, dealer margins, and current market demand. Comparing premiums across dealers is one of the most effective ways to reduce your cost basis when buying silver.
Sterling silver is 92.5% pure silver by weight, with the remaining 7.5% typically consisting of copper for added durability. To calculate the value of one troy ounce of sterling silver, multiply the current spot price by 0.925. Based on today’s spot price, one troy ounce of sterling silver is worth approximately $67.52. See our Purity Level table above for values at other common purities.
U.S. coins minted before 1965 (dimes, quarters, half dollars) contain 90% silver by weight. One dollar in face value of these coins contains approximately 0.715 troy ounces of pure silver. Based on the current spot price, $1 face value of 90% junk silver is worth approximately $52.19. Junk silver is popular among investors because it typically carries lower premiums than newly minted bullion products.
Silver can serve as both an investment and a store of value. Historically, silver has maintained its purchasing power over long periods and has provided a hedge against inflation and currency devaluation. Its industrial demand adds a growth component that gold lacks. However, silver is more volatile than gold and may not be suitable for investors with very short time horizons or low risk tolerance. Many financial advisors suggest allocating 5–15% of a portfolio to precious metals as part of a diversified investment strategy. We recommend consulting with a qualified financial professional before making investment decisions.
The gold-to-silver ratio is calculated by dividing the current gold spot price by the current silver spot price. It tells you how many ounces of silver it takes to buy one ounce of gold. The historical average is roughly 60:1, though it has ranged from below 20:1 to above 120:1. Investors use this ratio to determine whether silver is relatively cheap or expensive compared to gold, and to time their allocation between the two metals.
You can buy physical silver from online bullion dealers, local coin shops, or government mints. Silver bullion products include coins (such as American Silver Eagles, Canadian Silver Maple Leafs, and Austrian Silver Philharmonics), bars (ranging from 1 oz to 1,000 oz), and rounds (privately minted discs). FindBullionPrices.com compares prices across many online dealers so you can find competitive premiums on silver bars, coins, and rounds. Use our price comparison tools to search by product type, weight, and dealer.
