Reference chart

How Much Do Coins Weigh?

A US penny weighs 2.5 g, a nickel 5 g, a dime 2.268 g and a quarter 5.67 g. US coin weights are minted to tight tolerances, which makes them reliable reference weights for checking or calibrating a scale.

US coin weight chart

CoinWeight (g)Weight (oz)Composition
Penny (1¢)2.5 g0.088 ozCopper-plated zinc (since 1982)
Nickel (5¢)5 g0.176 ozCupronickel (since 1866)
Dime (10¢)2.268 g0.08 ozCupronickel clad (since 1965)
Quarter (25¢)5.67 g0.2 ozCupronickel clad (since 1965)
Half dollar (50¢)11.34 g0.4 ozCupronickel clad (since 1971)
Dollar coin ($1)8.1 g0.286 ozManganese brass (since 2000)

Weights per the United States Mint coin specifications. Pre-1965 silver coins and pre-1982 copper pennies weigh more.

Using coins to check a scale

20 nickels= 100 g
40 nickels= 200 g
10 quarters= 56.7 g
4 quarters + 1 nickel= 27.68 g (≈ 1 oz)

Frequently asked questions

How much does a quarter weigh?

A US quarter weighs exactly 5.67 grams (0.2 ounces). Quarters minted since 1965 are cupronickel-clad and all share this standard weight, which makes a quarter a handy reference object for checking a kitchen scale.

How much does a penny weigh?

A US penny minted since 1982 weighs 2.5 grams (0.088 ounces). Older copper pennies (1962–1982) weigh 3.11 grams, so check the year before using a penny as a calibration weight.

How much does a nickel weigh?

A US nickel weighs exactly 5.0 grams (0.176 ounces) — the roundest number of any US coin, which is why nickels are the most popular household calibration weight. Twenty nickels make exactly 100 grams.

Can I use coins to calibrate my scale?

Yes. Because US coin weights are minted to tight tolerances, stacking known coins gives a reliable reference: 20 nickels = 100 g, 40 nickels = 200 g. Place them on the scale and compare the readout to the expected total.

How can I weigh a coin without a scale?

Scale for Grams can estimate coin weight from a photo, and its Currency mode identifies the coin itself — denomination, country and year — using computer vision. It works free in the browser at scaleforgrams.com.

Scale for Grams · Currency mode

Found an unknown coin?

Photograph it — Scale for Grams identifies the coin, its country, denomination and year, and estimates its weight. Free in your browser.

Identify a coin from a photo