When measuring gemstones and gold, ratti is a traditional unit of measurement in India. It has been used for centuries, but with global standards becoming more common, grams and carats have become more popular.
However, you may still come across people who use this traditional measurement to evaluate gold loans, or even when buying or selling gold. Knowing the difference between these units and how to convert ratti to grams can help you understand the true weight and value of what you are buying.
What Is Ratti?
The ratti measurement system originated during the Mughal period and used Gunja seeds to measure gold and other gemstones. The plant is also known as ratti, and that is where the term originated. Because Gunja seeds grew to a fairly uniform size and weight, they were used as counterweights to measure gold’s weight.
However, ratti only measures the weight of gemstones and gold. It cannot tell you anything about their purity. To make the measurements more uniform, all financial institutions, regulated jewellers and government bodies have accepted a fixed ratti conversion. But this may not apply to family-run jewellers or gemstone sellers who may still use local standards to convert ratti to carats or grams.
Ratti to Gram, Milligram and Carat Conversion
Here are the formulas you can use to convert ratti to different units.
Ratti to Gram and Milligram
Based on the standardised conversion, 1 ratti to gram today is 0.1215 grams or 121.5 milligrams. The formula is:
Grams = Ratti × 0.1215
So, if a piece of gold weighs 5 ratti, you can convert it to grams like this:
5 × 0.1215 = 0.6075 grams of gold.
You can also use the same figure to understand 1 ratti in mg. If 1 ratti = 121.5 mg, 5 ratti = 607.5 mgs of gold.
Ratti to Carat
To convert ratti to carat, know that 1 carat equals exactly 0.2 grams, or 200 milligrams. So the formula you can use is:
Carat = Ratti × 0.1215 ÷ 0.2
This means 1 ratti is approximately 0.6075 carats under this conversion.
Conversion Table of Ratti to Gram, Milligram and Carat
| Ratti | Gram (g) | Milligram (mg) | Carat (ct) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 Ratti | 0.1215 g | 121.5 mg | 0.6075 ct |
| 2 Ratti | 0.243 g | 243 mg | 1.215 ct |
| 5 Ratti | 0.6075 g | 607.5 mg | 3.0375 ct |
| 10 Ratti | 1.215 g | 1,215 mg | 6.075 ct |
The table incorporates the standardised ratti conversion used for carats and grams. However, many gemstone traders use a conversion of 0.18 grams or 182 milligrams, which can produce a very different result. So if any gemstone or gold is quoted to you in ratti, always ask for its weight in grams or carats and the conversion standards used.
Carat to Ratti: How to Convert
If you need to convert the weight of a gemstone from carat to ratti, you can use this reverse conversion formula.
Ratti = Carat × 0.2 ÷ 0.1215
So, if a gemstone weighs 2 carats, you can convert it to ratti like this:
Ratti = 2 × 0.2 ÷ 0.1215
Ratti = 3.29
Therefore, 2 carats is approximately 3.29 ratti using the 0.1215-gram Ratti standard. Some common conversions are:
- 1 carat ≈ 1.65 ratti
- 2 carats ≈ 3.29 ratti
- 5 carats ≈ 8.23 ratti
- 10 carats ≈ 16.46 ratti
Ratti vs Carat vs Gram: What's the Difference?
Although ratti, carat and gram are all units of weight, they are not interchangeable.
| Unit | Common Use | Standard Weight (in grams) |
|---|---|---|
| Ratti | Traditional Indian measurement for gold and gemstones | Approx. 0.1215 g |
| Carat | Gemstones | 0.2 g |
| Gram | Gold and other precious metals | 1 g |
The difference between carat and ratti mainly comes down to their standard weight and usage. Carat is a globally recognised unit for gemstone weight, while ratti is a traditional Indian measurement. One carat is fixed at 0.2 grams, while the Ratti value used in traditional gold measurement is approximately 0.1215 grams.
How Ratti Weight Relates to Gold Value
Let’s say you need to apply for a gold loan. Knowing your gold's weight in grams can help you estimate its approximate value and loan amount.
For example, if your gold ornament weighs 10 ratti, its value in grams will be:
10 × 0.1215 = 1.215 grams
Now, if the applicable gold rate is ₹15,000 per gram, its basic value based on weight would be:
1.215 × ₹15,000 = ₹18,225
This gives you an estimate of the total loan amount you can get, as the actual loan amount may differ based on the gold’s purity and other applicable factors.
If you are looking for gold loan options, Manappuram Finance offers gold loans against eligible gold jewellery, with the loan amount determined after evaluating the gold's weight and purity.
For better clarity, you can use this gold loan calculator to estimate your loan amount and check the gold loan eligibility criteria before applying.
*Terms and conditions applied