Count the balance of every bank account, cash you keep at home, and cash ISAs. Add money owed to you that you expect to receive. Take off debts you are allowed to deduct, and pay 2.5% if the total reaches the nisab.
What to add
Add up the current balance in all your accounts and any cash you keep at home. Cash ISAs are zakatable too. Zakat is worked out per person, so spouses calculate separately rather than together.
Money owed to you
The National Zakat Foundation splits money owed to you into strong and weak debts. Strong debts are ones you are very likely to receive, such as a personal loan to a friend or payment for goods you sold commercially; these count. Weak debts, such as unpaid wages or an outstanding share of an inheritance, are treated differently.
Crypto
The National Zakat Foundation's guidance for crypto assets is to convert them into your own currency at the time you give zakat, and add that amount to the rest. Use the value on your zakat date, not what you paid. A small holding can still make zakat due once it is added to your cash.
What to take off
You may deduct debts that must be paid within 12 months, up to 12 months of instalments on longer debts, overdue bills, and money owed for purchases already made. Never deduct interest, and do not deduct bills that are not yet due.
Worked example: £6,000 across accounts, £300 at home, £1,200 overdue bills
Cash
£6,300.00
Minus debts
−£1,200.00
Zakatable wealth
£5,100.00
Zakat (2.5%)
£127.50
£6,300 − £1,200 = £5,100, above the silver nisab. Prices: gold £90.80/g, silver £1.25/g (National Zakat Foundation nisab page, 17 October 2026); silver nisab £765.45 (612.36 g).