Pawn Shop Calculator & Value Estimator
See what a pawn shop would lend or pay for your watch, jewelry, diamond, gold or designer bag. Instant, free, no sign-up. On a phone, add this page to your home screen and it opens like an app.
- Item
- Details
- Estimate
What do you have?
Pick the closest match.
How the Pawn Shop Calculator Works
The calculator uses current market data, brand-specific resale values, and condition multipliers to estimate what a pawnbroker would offer for your item. For precious metals, it uses live spot prices updated daily. For luxury watches and designer bags, it uses current secondary market prices for specific models.
It gives two values: an estimated pawn value (the loan you would receive using the item as collateral) and an estimated resale value (what you could receive selling outright). Pawn values are 40 to 60 percent of resale value because the broker has to cover the risk that the loan is not repaid.
Example Pawn Shop Offers
These are the calculator's results for three common items. Gold is priced at today's spot price of $157 per gram of pure gold; a buyer pays 70 to 85 percent of melt value. Watch and diamond values come from recent resale prices for the model or grade.
| Item | Sells for | Pawn loan |
|---|---|---|
| 20 g 14k gold chain | $1,286–$1,561 | $514–$937 |
| Rolex Submariner Date, good condition, box and papers | $8,798–$13,685 | $3,519–$8,211 |
| 1.0 ct GIA diamond, G color, VS2, excellent cut | $4,285–$6,070 | $1,714–$3,642 |
The estimate does not account for damage you have not declared, aftermarket parts, missing links or stones, or how much stock of the same item a shop already holds. A physical inspection can move the offer either way.
What Affects Your Pawn Value
Brand and model are the biggest drivers. A Rolex Daytona commands a higher percentage of retail than a fashion watch because the resale market is deeper and more liquid. Condition matters: a watch in excellent condition can be worth 30 to 40 percent more than the same model in fair condition.
Documentation also affects value. The original box, papers, warranty cards, and purchase receipts can raise an offer by 10 to 15 percent. For diamonds, a GIA or AGS grading report removes uncertainty about the stone's quality. For gold and silver, the factors are weight, purity (karat), and the current spot price.
Calculators by Item
For a more detailed estimate, use the calculator for your item:
- Pawn shop gold calculator: melt value and pawn offer for 10k to 24k gold at today's spot price.
- Rolex value calculator: Submariner, Daytona, Datejust, GMT-Master II and other models.
- Luxury watch calculator: Patek Philippe, Audemars Piguet, Omega, Cartier and Breitling.
- Diamond value calculator: resale and pawn value from carat, color, clarity and cut.
- Designer bag calculator: Hermès, Chanel, Louis Vuitton, Dior and Gucci.
Tips for Getting a Better Pawn Offer
Get multiple quotes. Pawn offers vary between shops. Visit at least three brokers and compare what each one offers.
Visit specialty pawnbrokers. A pawnbroker who specializes in watches or jewelry will typically offer 10 to 20 percent more than a general pawn shop because they have established resale channels for high-value items.
Clean and prepare your item. Bring all documentation, original packaging, and accessories. These show that the item has been well cared for.
Know your item's value. Use this calculator to get a baseline before walking into a shop. Sellers who know what their item is worth receive better offers than those who appear uncertain.
Frequently Asked Questions
How accurate is a pawn shop calculator?
Online pawn shop calculators provide estimates based on current market data, brand, model, and condition. They give you a realistic range of what to expect, but actual offers depend on the individual pawnbroker, local market conditions, and physical inspection of the item. Use calculator estimates as a baseline when negotiating.
How much do pawn shops pay for items?
Pawn shops typically offer 25 to 60 percent of an item's resale value for a pawn loan, and 40 to 70 percent for an outright sale. The exact percentage depends on the item type, brand, condition, and documentation. Luxury items from brands like Rolex, Hermès, and Tiffany tend to command higher percentages.
What do pawn shops use to determine value?
A pawnbroker starts from the price they expect to resell the item for. For watches and bags they check recent sold prices for the same model. For gold they weigh the piece and test its karat to work out melt value at the day's spot price. For diamonds they use a tester and loupe, or read the GIA report if you have one. They then offer a percentage of that resale price, lower for a loan than for a sale.
What is the difference between pawn value and resale value?
Pawn value is the loan amount a pawnbroker will give you using your item as collateral. You get the item back when you repay. Resale value is what you would receive from selling the item outright. Resale value is typically higher because the pawnbroker does not need to factor in loan default risk.
What items get the best value at pawn shops?
Items with strong resale markets get the best pawn values. Rolex and Patek Philippe watches, GIA-certified diamonds over 1 carat, gold jewelry valued at melt price plus craftsmanship, and Hermès Birkin bags consistently command the highest percentages of retail value at pawn shops.
Is there a pawn shop calculator app?
This calculator runs in your phone's browser with nothing to download. To use it like an app, open this page in Safari on iPhone or Chrome on Android and choose Add to Home Screen. It then opens full screen from its own icon.