Gold/Silver Ratio Explained

The gold/silver ratio is one of the most important metrics for precious metals investors. Learn what it means, how it's moved over 100 years, and how to use it to optimize your allocations.

Quick Answer

The gold/silver ratio tells you how many ounces of silver it takes to buy one ounce of gold. A high ratio (above 80) historically signals silver is cheap relative to gold. The long-term average is ~50-60. Investors use ratio extremes to decide when to favor silver vs gold in their portfolios.

Track the Ratio Live

Gold/Silver Ratio Tracker →

Live ratio data with historical chart, daily changes, and trading signals.

Deep Dives

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the gold/silver ratio?

The gold/silver ratio is the number of ounces of silver it takes to buy one ounce of gold. If gold is $2,600 and silver is $30, the ratio is approximately 87:1. It's one of the oldest price metrics in markets, used for centuries to value the two metals relative to each other.

What is a good gold/silver ratio to buy silver?

Historically, a ratio above 80 signals silver is undervalued relative to gold. When the ratio exceeds 80-90, many investors shift allocations toward silver, expecting mean reversion. The long-term average is roughly 50-60:1.

What is the gold/silver ratio trading strategy?

The swap strategy involves buying silver when the ratio is high (above 80) and trading silver for gold when the ratio drops low (below 50). This way you accumulate more total ounces over time, regardless of the dollar direction of either metal.

Where is the gold/silver ratio today?

Track the live gold/silver ratio on our Gold/Silver Ratio tracker tool page, updated in real-time with historical context and trading signals.

Ratio Alerts on Your Phone

Get notified when the gold/silver ratio hits key levels with the Silver of Truth app.