Standard Gold Bar Weight at Fort Knox
The standard gold bar stored at Fort Knox follows the international Good Delivery specification, weighing 400 troy ounces, which is equivalent to 27.4 pounds or 12.4 kilograms Forbes Advisor. These bars are produced by accredited refiners and meet strict purity and dimensional requirements set by the London Bullion Market Association.
Each standard bar carries a face value of $750,000 based on the nominal gold content, though its market value fluctuates with the spot price LBMA. At Fort Knox, these bars are held as part of the United States Bullion Depository reserves, alongside other precious metals stored by the U.S. Department of the Treasury.
Fort Knox Gold Bar Dimensions and Storage
A standard 400-ounce gold bar measures approximately 7 inches by 3.625 inches by 1.75 inches, with slight variations depending on the refiner U.S. Mint. The bars are stored in secured vaults within the Fort Knox facility in Kentucky, which is operated under the authority of the Treasury Department and protected by multiple layers of physical and electronic security.
Vault Security and Access
Access to the vaults is tightly controlled, with entry requiring multiple authorizations and continuous monitoring U.S. Treasury. The exact inventory and arrangement of gold bars inside Fort Knox is not publicly disclosed in real time, though periodic audits and reports confirm the presence of thousands of standard bars.
How Fort Knox Gold Compares to Global Reserves
The United States holds the largest official gold reserve in the world, with the majority stored at Fort Knox, making it a central node in global monetary gold holdings World Gold Council. The weight and purity of each bar are verified during production and periodically rechecked to ensure compliance with international standards.
Role in Global Gold Markets
Fort Knox gold bars contribute to the credibility and stability of U.S. monetary policy and serve as a benchmark for gold quality worldwide Forbes Advisor. While individual investors typically trade in smaller 1-ounce or 10-ounce bars, the 400-ounce Good Delivery bars remain the foundation of institutional and central bank gold transactions.