A Paris 2024 gold medal weighs 529 g (≈ 18.66 oz, ≈ 1.17 lb). The silver medal weighs 525 g and the bronze 455 g. Each is 85 mm across and 9.2 mm thick.
Weights differ from one Games to the next, because each host city designs its own medals. The three most recent sets are compared below. Ounce and pound values are converted from grams (1 oz = 28.349523125 g, 1 lb = 453.59237 g, both exact) and rounded.
Olympic medal weights by Games
| Games | Gold | Silver | Bronze | Size |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Paris 2024 | 529 g (≈ 18.66 oz) | 525 g (≈ 18.52 oz) | 455 g (≈ 16.05 oz) | 85 mm × 9.2 mm |
| Tokyo 2020 | ≈ 556 g (≈ 19.61 oz) | ≈ 550 g (≈ 19.40 oz) | ≈ 450 g (≈ 15.87 oz) | 85 mm, 7.7 mm at the thinnest point |
| Milan Cortina 2026 (Winter) | 506 g (≈ 17.85 oz) | 500 g (≈ 17.64 oz) | 420 g (≈ 14.82 oz) | 80 mm × 10 mm |
Tokyo’s organisers published its weights as “about” values, so they are marked ≈ here.
How the weights compare
What are the medals made of?
- Gold: mostly silver with a thin gold plating. At Paris 2024 about 6 g of the 529 g is gold. Milan Cortina’s gold medal is 500 g of 999 silver plated with 6 g of gold.
- Silver: Milan Cortina’s silver medal is pure (999) silver. Paris 2024’s silver medal is mostly silver around an iron centre.
- Bronze: Red brass, about 95% copper and 5% zinc, so it is lighter than the other two even at the same size.
- Paris 2024 centre: each medal holds a hexagon of 18 g of original Eiffel Tower wrought iron, set into the middle.
Why is the gold medal not solid gold?
The Olympic rules require gold medals to be at least 92.5% silver, covered with at least 6 g of gold. The last solid gold Olympic medals were awarded in 1912. Bronze is a copper alloy, which is why it weighs less.
Gold, silver and bronze in pounds and ounces
| Medal | Paris 2024 | Milan Cortina 2026 |
|---|---|---|
| Gold | ≈ 1.17 lb | ≈ 1.12 lb |
| Silver | ≈ 1.16 lb | ≈ 1.10 lb |
| Bronze | ≈ 1.00 lb | ≈ 0.93 lb |
Sources: Olympics.com, Paris 2024 medals; Olympics.com, Tokyo 2020 medal design; FIL, Milano Cortina 2026 medals.
Frequently asked questions
How much does an Olympic gold medal weigh?
It depends on the Games. Paris 2024 gold is 529 g (≈ 1.17 lb), Tokyo 2020 gold was about 556 g and Milan Cortina 2026 gold is 506 g.
Is an Olympic gold medal solid gold?
No. It is mostly silver with at least 6 g of gold plating. The last solid gold medals were awarded in 1912.
Which medal is heaviest, gold, silver or bronze?
At Paris 2024, Tokyo 2020 and Milan Cortina 2026, gold was the heaviest, then silver, then bronze. Bronze is lighter because copper alloy is less dense than silver.
How big is a Paris 2024 medal?
85 mm in diameter and 9.2 mm thick, for gold, silver and bronze alike. That is about 3.35 in across.
Are Winter Olympic medals lighter than Summer ones?
For these Games, yes. Milan Cortina 2026 gold (506 g) is 23 g lighter than Paris 2024 gold (529 g). Each host decides its own design, so there is no fixed winter weight.
