Short answer: A kilo gold bar holds 1,000 grams, about 32.15 troy ounces of gold. Because it’s one large piece, the price over spot per ounce is usually lower than for 1 oz coins or bars. The trade-off: you can only sell the whole bar at once, so it suits people who are already buying a large amount and plan to hold it.

Kilo bar at a glance

Why big buyers choose kilo bars

• Lower premium per ounce. Making one large bar costs the refiner less per ounce than 32 small ones.
• Easy to store. One bar instead of a stack of coins.
• Widely traded. Kilo bars from well-known refiners are a standard size that dealers buy every day.

The downsides

• All or nothing when you sell. If you might need to sell a little at a time, 10 oz bars or 1 oz coins give you that choice.
• Fakes exist. Buy only from established dealers, and expect a buyer to test the bar or ask for its assay certificate when you sell.
• Reporting. Selling a kilo of gold bars to a dealer is the kind of sale dealers generally report to the IRS on Form 1099-B.

Which brands resell easily

Stick to refiners on the London Bullion Market Association’s Good Delivery list, such as PAMP Suisse, Valcambi, Argor-Heraeus, Heraeus, Metalor, The Perth Mint and the Royal Canadian Mint. Dealers know these bars and pay close to spot for them. Bars from unknown makers can take longer to sell and may need testing first.

Cast or minted?

Cast bars are poured from molten gold and have a rougher look. They usually cost a little less. Minted bars are cut and stamped, often sealed in an assay card with a serial number. Both are pure gold; keep any certificate or card, because it helps when you sell.

Buying one: a checklist

1. Compare the total price, not just the premium: bar price, shipping and insurance, and any card fee. Paying by wire or check is usually cheaper than a card.
2. Check the serial number and refiner on the invoice.
3. Plan the delivery. Large orders ship fully insured and need an adult signature, so be home.
4. Ask about the dealer’s buyback before you buy, so you know what you’d get if you sold.

Storing a kilo bar

Options are a home safe (check your homeowner’s insurance; many policies cover very little bullion unless you add a rider), a bank safe deposit box (contents usually aren’t insured by the bank), or a private depository that insures and audits the metal for a yearly fee. See how to store gold at home.

In a Gold IRA

A kilo bar can go in a Gold IRA if it meets the IRS purity rules and your custodian approves it. The bar ships straight to the depository; you can’t keep IRA metal at home. Compare Gold IRA companies in our rankings.

Taxes when you sell

The IRS treats physical gold as a collectible. If you held it more than a year, the gain is taxed at up to 28% federally, higher than the usual long-term rate on stocks. Talk to a tax professional before a large sale.

Frequently asked questions

How much gold is in a kilo bar? About 32.15 troy ounces. Gold is priced per troy ounce, which is heavier than an ordinary ounce.

Is a kilo bar cheaper than 32 one-ounce coins? Usually, per ounce. Coins are easier to sell in pieces and are instantly recognized.

Kilo bar or 10 oz bars? Three 10 oz bars cost a bit more per ounce but let you sell a third at a time.

Related: Gold coins vs. bars · What’s a fair premium over spot? · How to tell if gold is real · Gold price today

Sources: IRS, Investments in collectibles in individually directed qualified plan accounts · IRS, Topic 409, Capital gains and losses (collectibles) · London Bullion Market Association, Good Delivery List (lbma.org.uk)

About this guide

Written by Mark Sandulli, founder of BestGoldPrice.com. Mark is not a financial advisor, tax professional, attorney or precious-metals dealer. This guide is general information based on public sources, not financial, tax or legal advice, and it may contain errors or be out of date. Precious metals can lose value. Confirm prices, fees and rules with the company and a licensed professional before you buy. We may earn a commission from some links. Read our full disclaimer.