LemonTrades
TL;DR
- Fort Knox holds 147,341,858 troy ounces of gold, about 4,580 metric tonnes, according to the Treasury.
- That’s about 56% of the US government’s gold. At today’s price, it’s worth the live amount below. On the government’s books, it’s valued at only about $6.2 billion.
- Few outsiders have been inside: reporters and members of Congress in 1974, and the Treasury Secretary in 2017. Calls for a full audit came back in 2025.
- LemonTrades follows the gold price for you and tells you what moved it, and why, within seconds.
The US Bullion Depository at Fort Knox, Kentucky, has held gold since 1937. Here’s what’s inside.
Where the rest of America’s gold is
| Location | Troy ounces | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Fort Knox, Kentucky | 147.3 million | 56% |
| West Point, New York | 54.1 million | 21% |
| Denver Mint | 43.9 million | 17% |
| Federal Reserve Bank of New York | 13.4 million | 5% |
| Coins and working stock | 2.8 million | 1% |
| Total | 261.5 million (about 8,133 tonnes) | 100% |
The US holds more gold than any other country. The New York Fed’s vault also stores gold for other countries, which isn’t counted here.
Has anyone checked?
- 1974: reporters and members of Congress toured the vault to answer rumors that it was empty.
- 2017: Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin visited with Senator Mitch McConnell and others.
- 2025: President Trump and Elon Musk called for a fresh look, and Representative Thomas Massie filed a bill for a full audit.
- 2026: Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said the gold was “all present and accounted for.” The Treasury’s Inspector General gives the gold reserve a clean opinion in its yearly audit.
Critics say a full physical count and purity test hasn’t been done in decades. Treasury says its sealed-vault checks and annual audits are enough.
Why it matters
The gold no longer backs the dollar; that link ended in 1971. But it’s a big national asset, and central banks around the world have been buying gold, which is one reason for its rise. See why gold goes up and how high gold could go.
Sources
- US Treasury: Status report of US government gold reserve
- Wikipedia: United States Bullion Depository
- Money Metals: Bessent on the Fort Knox audit
- JM Bullion: the Fort Knox audit
Education, not financial advice. See our disclaimer.
