How much to give: a wedding gift amount calculator
Deciding the wedding gift amount is one of those questions nobody likes to ask out loud. This calculator gives a starting figure for a friend, cousin, colleague or close relative, using the ranges that Indian and Western gift guides commonly suggest, and then moves it for how close you are, the size of the city, the occasion and whether you are going alone or as a family.
For Indian weddings it follows the shagun tradition of amounts that carry a “1” — ₹1,100, ₹2,100, ₹5,100 or ₹501 — because a number ending in one is considered indivisible and a wish that the couple’s fortune keeps growing. Every range and multiplier can be edited, and the result is a suggestion, never a rule.
How to use the Wedding Gift / Shagun Amount Calculator
- Choose the custom you are following: India (₹ shagun), Indian abroad (dollars or pounds, still ending in 1) or US & UK guest.
- Pick your relationship and slide How close are you? from the bottom to the top of the usual range.
- Set the city, the occasion (wedding, reception, engagement or a single function) and who is going with you.
- Choose the rounding: a traditional figure such as ₹2,100, an amount with one added (₹2,001), or no rounding.
- If the couple’s family gave you shagun at your own wedding, type it in — the suggestion will at least match it.
- Open Edit the ranges and multipliers to make the numbers match your family or community.
Wedding Gift / Shagun Amount Calculator features
Ranges by relationship
Six relationships from acquaintance to close family, each with a low and high figure you can change.
Closeness slider
Moves the suggestion from the bottom to the top of the range instead of a single fixed number.
Ends in 1, two ways
Traditional envelope figures (₹501, ₹1,100, ₹2,100, ₹5,100, ₹11,000, ₹21,000) or “add one” amounts (₹2,001, $101).
City, occasion and party
Multipliers for tier-2 cities and towns, engagements and single functions, and couples or families.
Shagun register
Enter what they gave you and the suggestion is raised to match, as many families expect.
Every relationship at once
A table shows the suggestion for all six relationships with your current settings.
Commonly suggested wedding gift amounts
Indian and Indian-abroad ranges are from Folksee’s Indian wedding gift guide (2026), which itself calls them orientation, not rules. US ranges are those Zola suggests, as reported by Scripps News in 2026. The acquaintance row and the upper limits for close family are this tool’s own assumptions. Checked 19 October 2026.
| Relationship | India (₹) | Indian abroad ($) | US guest ($) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Colleague | 1,100–2,100 | 51–101 | 75–100 |
| Friend | 2,100–5,100 | 101–251 | 100–150 |
| Close friend | 5,100–11,000 | 251–501 | 150–200 |
| Relative or cousin | 5,100–21,000 | 251–501 | 100–150 |
| Close family | 21,000 and up | 501 and up | 150–200 |
How the suggestion is worked out
Suggestion = (low + (high − low) × closeness) × city × occasion × party, then rounded. A friend in a metro city at the middle of the slider gives (2,100 + 3,000 × 0.5) = ₹3,600; the nearest traditional figure is ₹3,100. Going as a couple to the reception multiplies by 1.5.
The traditional ladder is ₹101, 151, 201, 251, 501, 751, 1,100, 1,500, 2,100, 3,100, 5,100, 7,100, 11,000, 15,000, 21,000, 31,000, 51,000 and so on; the calculator picks the closest one. The “add one” style rounds to a clean figure and adds a single rupee or dollar.
Etiquette worth knowing
- Give what you can afford. A heartfelt card with a modest envelope is better than borrowing to keep up.
- Put the coin in. Many shagun envelopes come with a one-rupee coin attached for the “1”.
- Gifts count too. If you bring a present, a smaller envelope (₹101 or ₹501) alongside is common.
- Write a message. The gift tag maker makes a neat label, and the currency converter helps when you are sending money from abroad.
Wedding Gift / Shagun Amount Calculator FAQ
What is a good wedding gift amount for a friend?
In India, ₹2,100–₹5,100 is a commonly suggested range for a friend and ₹5,100–₹11,000 for a close friend. In the US, about $100–150 is typical. The calculator places you inside the range using the closeness slider.
How much should I give for my cousin’s wedding?
Relatives usually give more than friends: ₹5,100–₹21,000 is a commonly quoted range in India, more for a first cousin you grew up with. Use the slider and, if their family gave shagun at your wedding, enter it so the suggestion at least matches.
Why does shagun end in 1?
An amount ending in one cannot be split evenly, which is taken as a blessing that the couple’s life together stays whole and keeps growing. That is why ₹501, ₹1,100 and ₹2,100 are popular.
Is the wedding gift amount for 2026 different?
The ranges are the ones published in 2026 guides. Prices rise every year, so if you feel they are low for your circle, edit the ranges — the tool remembers nothing and sends nothing.
How much to give a colleague?
A commonly suggested range in India is ₹1,100–₹2,100, and $75–100 in the US. More if you are close outside work.
Is this a rule I have to follow?
No. These are suggestions drawn from common practice. Your relationship, your budget and your family’s customs matter more than any calculator.