6 ways to invest in gold from simple buys to more complex bets

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Gold is set for its best month since February, so it's no surprise that more and more people are thinking about putting their money into this precious metal. In fact, a Gallup poll found that 23% of Americans believed gold was the best long-term investment, up five points from the previous year.

But what's the best way to invest in gold ( GC=F )? There are several options, from buying physical gold coins to investing in stocks or mutual funds. Below, learn about where to invest in gold, the different options available, and their fees.

Between Dec. 31, 2015, and Dec. 31, 2025, gold's price went from $1,062.25 to $4,339.64 — a 308% increase.

Investors can purchase physical gold, exchange-traded funds (ETFs), or stocks.

Some investments have added fees, such as storage costs.

Where to invest in gold: 6 gold investment options

There are several ways to invest in gold. Which is best for you depends on your up-front investment and financial goals.

Best for: Long-term investors who want a physical asset

Owning physical gold is one of the most popular forms of precious metal investing. You can purchase gold coins or bars and store them as a personal hedge against inflation. There's no need to worry about brokerage firms.

An ETF is a fund that tracks and mimics the performance of gold. For example, SPDR Gold Shares ( GLD ) ETF mimics the price of gold bullion.

With an ETF, you can buy and sell shares like stocks. As a result, ETFs are more liquid than physical gold, and you can buy fractional shares, or small slices of ETFs.

Best for: Investors who want to diversify with precious metals

Mutual funds invest in a range of stocks, but they may include gold-related companies, such as mining corporations. There are passive funds that track gold market indices and active funds that strive to outperform the market.

Can be incorporated in retirement accounts

Higher fees than ETFs, particularly for active-managed funds

Investment may fluctuate more than the gold spot price

Best for: Investors comfortable with higher levels of risk

With stocks, you can invest in companies related to the gold industry, such as mining companies or businesses that use gold in their manufacturing processes. Stocks are more liquid than physical gold, but you're investing in one particular company, and you may experience higher levels of risk.

Can benefit from rising gold prices and company growth

Gold futures and options aren't for the faint of heart; they're best for very experienced investors who are financially stable and can handle a high level of risk.

Gold futures and options are derivative contracts that let investors speculate on the future price of gold without needing to own the gold. Futures contracts lock in a price at which you buy or sell in the future, while gold options give you the ability to sell at a specific price at a certain date (but you aren't required to sell at that price).

Investors tend to use leveraged investments, meaning they invest with borrowed money. This allows you to invest with less up-front capital, but it significantly increases the risk of losses.

Chance of significant losses beyond the initial investment

Requires active and complex investment management

Gold individual retirement accounts (IRAs)

A gold IRA is a type of self-directed IRA that allows you to invest in physical gold within a tax-advantaged retirement account. You can take advantage of perks like tax-deductible contributions and tax-free account growth, but these accounts are subject to the same rules as traditional IRAs. For example, you have the same contribution limits on a gold IRA as you do on a traditional IRA, and you're required to make required minimum distributions (RMDs).

Gold IRAs require your own work with a custodian, and you have to store your gold with an approved vault, adding to your overall costs.

Less liquid than stocks, ETFs, or mutual funds

If you're looking to diversify your portfolio and hedge against inflation, gold can act as a useful tool. It can provide stability as a widely accepted store of value, helping to give you peace of mind if the stock market is volatile.

There are many different ways to invest in gold, from buying gold coins to opening a gold IRA. Which is best for you depends on your financial goals and investment horizon.

As of March 22, 2026, gold was approximately $4,500 per ounce, so $1,000 would buy you 0.22 ounces of gold.

What if I invested $10,000 in gold 20 years ago—how much would it be worth?

In 2006, gold's price was $$603.46 per ounce, according to the National Mining Association. If you invested $10,000 in gold in 2006, you would have purchased 16.57 ounces of gold. As of March 22, 2026, that investment would be worth approximately $74,570.

While gold prices will likely ebb and flow over the next year, most financial analysts expect gold to remain strong due to economic uncertainty, geopolitical tensions, and increased retail demand.

Learn how to invest in gold by considering gold's strengths, historical behavior, and the pros and cons of physical gold versus gold mining stocks and ETFs.

Is investing in gold a good idea? It can be a hedge against inflation and a store of value, but there are some risks to consider before investing.

While it's possible to retire solely by investing in gold, it's a lot harder than investing in the stock market. Here's what you need to know.

How much gold would $1 million buy at different points in history?

If you had $1 million in 1900, you could buy 53,000 ounces of gold. Today, that amount would be worth $278 million. See how gold prices have changed over time.

Gold price outlook: Could prices hit $6,000 in 2026?

Gold prices have skyrocketed in recent years, but how high can they go next? Here are the boldest predictions for how gold will perform.

How to invest in gold: A beginner's guide

For investors looking to diversify beyond stocks and bonds, gold is a popular choice. Here's what beginners need to know.