The tola is a highly reliable unit of measurement—especially in the context of gold trading—but it is not as precise or universally standardised as the gram, which is part of the International System of Units (SI).
Here’s a refined comparison:
Accuracy of Tola vs Grams
1 tola = 11.6638038 grams (precisely defined under British India in 1833)
In modern practice, the tola is typically rounded to 11.66 grams for convenience.
In the jewellery industry, especially in South Asia, tola is often used informally to mean 10 grams when referring to gold ornaments, not coins or bullion.
Compared to Grams:
The gram is a globally accepted metric unit, traceable to the International Bureau of Weights and Measures (BIPM).
The tola, while historically standardised, can vary slightly by region or context, especially in informal settings.
Summary:
| Unit | Official Value | Used For | Precision |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tola | 11.6638 g (standard) | Coins, bullion, and traditional gold | High (formal), Medium (informal) |
| Gram | 1 g (exact, SI unit) | All scientific and commercial uses | Very High |
Tola
Gram
At PureJewels, we distinguish this clearly:
- Coins and bullion: 1 tola = 11.66g
- Jewellery : 1 tola = 10g
This ensures both cultural continuity and modern precision, so you can shop or invest with confidence.
