Gold bars are one of the most cost-efficient ways to buy physical gold. With lower premiums over spot than most coins, they offer excellent value for investors focused purely on gold content. But with bars available in sizes ranging from 1 gram to 400 troy ounces, choosing the right size for your needs is an important decision.
In this guide, we'll walk through the most popular gold bar sizes available to UK investors, compare their pros and cons, and help you decide which size — or combination of sizes — is right for your portfolio and budget.
Gold bars are available in both metric weights (grams and kilograms) and troy ounce weights. The key principle to understand is that larger bars carry lower premiums over spot. This is because the fixed costs of manufacturing, assaying, and packaging are spread over more gold. A 1g bar might carry a premium of 15–25% over spot, while a 1oz bar might carry just 2–4%. For pure investment purposes, larger bars offer better value per gram of gold.
The 1 gram gold bar is the entry point for gold bar investing. At current gold prices, a 1g bar costs roughly £80–£100. The Valcambi 1g Gold CombiBar is a popular option, offering the flexibility of a larger bar that can be broken into individual 1g pieces.
Best for: First-time buyers, gifting, or adding small amounts of gold regularly
Premium: High (15–25% over spot)
Liquidity: Good, but lower buyback prices reflect the high premium paid
Divisibility: Excellent
The 5 gram gold bar strikes a balance between accessibility and value. At around £400–£500, it carries a more reasonable premium than 1g bars. We stock several 5g options including the PAMP Suisse 5g Gold Bar, the 5g Umicore Gold Bar, and the 5g Heraeus Gold Bar (Pre-Owned).
Best for: New investors building a position gradually
Premium: Moderate (8–15% over spot)
Liquidity: Very good
Divisibility: Good
The 10 gram gold bar is popular with investors who want meaningful gold exposure without committing to a full troy ounce. At around £800–£900, it offers a noticeably lower premium than smaller bars.
Best for: Investors building a core gold holding in manageable increments
Premium: Moderate (5–10% over spot)
Liquidity: Excellent
Divisibility: Good
Our 20g Minted Gold Bar (.9999 Fine Gold) is an excellent option at around £1,600–£1,800, offering premium-quality minted gold at a competitive price.
Best for: Investors seeking better value than smaller bars
Premium: Low-moderate (4–8% over spot)
Liquidity: Very good
Divisibility: Good
The 1 troy ounce gold bar (31.1 grams) is widely considered the sweet spot for most investors. It offers the best combination of low premiums, high liquidity, and manageable unit size at approximately £2,400–£2,600.
Our Best Value 1oz Gold Bar (.9999 Fine Gold) is one of our most popular products, offering .9999 fine gold at a highly competitive premium. One-ounce bars from recognised refiners are accepted by dealers worldwide.
Best for: Most investors — the optimal balance of value, liquidity, and accessibility
Premium: Low (2–4% over spot)
Liquidity: Excellent
Divisibility: Moderate
At around £8,000–£8,500, the 100g bar offers very low premiums and excellent value per gram, but the higher unit value means you need to sell the entire bar when liquidating.
Best for: Investors with larger budgets who prioritise value over divisibility
Premium: Very low (1–3% over spot)
Liquidity: Good with established dealers
Divisibility: Poor
At approximately £80,000–£85,000, the 1kg bar carries the lowest premiums but requires significant capital and comes with storage and liquidity considerations.
Best for: High-net-worth investors making large, long-term gold allocations
Premium: Minimal (0.5–1.5% over spot)
Liquidity: Good with major dealers
Divisibility: Very poor
Before committing to gold bars, it's worth considering whether coins might better suit your needs. The key advantage of certain gold coins for UK investors is Capital Gains Tax exemption. UK legal tender coins like Gold Sovereigns and Gold Britannias are CGT-free, while gold bars are not. Read our Capital Gains Tax guide for more detail.
Bars from LBMA Good Delivery accredited refiners are the most widely recognised and easiest to sell. Our range includes:
The size of your gold bars affects your storage requirements. Smaller bars are easier to store at home, while larger bars may warrant professional vault storage. Read our guide on how to store gold safely before you buy.
Explore our full selection of gold bars at 888 Bullion — all authenticated, competitively priced, and available for secure insured delivery or collection from our Hatton Garden premises.
For more guidance, read our articles on How to Buy Gold in the UK, New vs Pre-Owned Bullion, and Is Gold a Good Investment in 2026?. Our Hatton Garden team is always happy to help you choose the right bar for your needs.
