If you just hopped onto Google what is the price of silver today, you probably blinked twice at the screen.
$90.88.
That’s the spot price per ounce as of early Saturday, January 17, 2026. It’s wild. Honestly, if you told someone two years ago that silver would be knocking on the door of triple digits, they’d have laughed you out of the room. But here we are. The "devil's metal" is finally living up to its reputation for being absolutely unpredictable and, frankly, a bit of a rocket ship lately.
Google What Is the Price of Silver Today: Breaking Down the $90 Milestone
We aren't just seeing a "good week" for metals. We are living through a fundamental shift in how the world values silver. Just yesterday, January 16, the market went into a total frenzy, with prices screaming past $93 before settling back down to the current $90.88 level.
Why the sudden surge? It's a messy cocktail of politics and industrial panic.
Earlier this week, the U.S. Supreme Court basically punted on a decision regarding President Trump's latest round of tariffs. That uncertainty sent investors running for cover. When people get scared of paper money or trade wars, they grab onto things they can drop on their foot—like silver bars.
But it’s not just "fear" buying. China recently threw a massive wrench in the gears by announcing new export licenses for refined silver. They want to keep the stuff for their own high-tech factories. Since they’re the world’s biggest refiner, the rest of the planet is suddenly looking at empty cupboards.
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The Real Numbers Right Now
If you’re looking to buy or sell, the "spot" price is just the starting line. Here’s how the physical market is looking at this very second:
- Per Ounce: $90.88 (down about $1.93 from the peak).
- Per Kilo: $2,921.86.
- The "Ask" Price: Most dealers are quoting around $91.59 if you're buying.
- The "Bid" Price: Expect to get around $90.79 if you're selling.
Keep in mind, premiums are high. You won't actually find a physical Silver Eagle for $90. Dealers are tacking on significant markups because they simply can't get enough stock to keep up with the "Google what is the price of silver today" search volume.
Why Silver is Outperforming Everything
Silver isn't gold. It never has been.
Gold is the boring, reliable uncle of the precious metals family. Silver is the erratic cousin who either goes broke or buys a Ferrari. In 2025, silver rose by a staggering 140%. Compare that to gold’s 65% gain—which is still great, but not "silver great."
We’re seeing the silver-to-gold ratio compress in a way we haven't seen in decades. Historically, this ratio hung out around 80:1. Now? It’s crashing toward 50:1 and lower.
It’s the Solar Panels, Stupid
The green energy transition is basically a giant vacuum for silver. Every solar panel uses silver paste. Every electric vehicle (EV) contains significantly more silver than a gas-guzzler because of its incredible conductivity.
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Then you’ve got AI.
Data centers are being built at a record pace, and those high-end chips and connections need silver. We are currently in a structural deficit. We are using more silver than we mine. Simple as that. Most silver is a byproduct of mining copper or lead, so you can't just "turn on" more silver production because the price went up. You have to build entire new mines, and that takes ten years.
The Retail "Meme" Effect
Bank of America analysts recently pointed out something interesting. This isn't just big banks trading futures. It's retail buyers. People are looking at the massive debt levels in the U.S. and the volatility of the dollar and deciding they'd rather own "real money." There's a narrative on social media framing silver as a hedge against a systemic collapse. Whether you believe that or not doesn't really matter—the buying pressure from millions of regular people is enough to move the needle.
What the Experts are Predicting for the Rest of 2026
Predictions are everywhere. Some are sensible; others are pure moon-shot territory.
- The Bulls: Analysts at BNP Paribas and the deVere Group have mentioned $100 as a very real possibility by the end of 2026. Some outliers, like The Oregon Group, are even throwing around $150 if the supply crunch gets worse.
- The Skeptics: Not everyone is convinced. HSBC and Bank of America have both warned that silver might be "fundamentally overvalued" at these levels. They’re eyeing a correction back toward the $60 or $70 range once the initial panic subsides.
Volatility is the only guarantee. You might check the price tomorrow and see it at $85 or $95. It’s that kind of market.
Key Factors to Watch
- Federal Reserve Policy: If the Fed keeps cutting rates, silver usually goes up because it doesn't pay interest. Low rates make "non-yielding assets" look way more attractive.
- The Dollar Index (DXY): When the dollar weakens, silver shines. Watch for news about the next Fed Chair appointment; the market is currently obsessed with whether a "hawk" or a "dove" takes the seat.
- Industrial Demand in China: Since China dominates the supply chain, any further export restrictions will send prices into another vertical spike.
Actionable Steps for Today
If you're staring at the screen wondering if you should jump in or cash out, don't just act on impulse.
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First, check the "spread." If you buy physical silver today, you're paying a premium. Make sure you understand that the price needs to go up another 5-10% just for you to break even.
Second, look at the silver-to-gold ratio. If you already own gold, some investors are "swapping" into silver to catch the ratio compression, though that's a move for more experienced traders.
Finally, keep an eye on the COMEX inventories. When those vaults start looking empty, that's when the real price discovery happens.
Silver is no longer just a "cheap" alternative to gold. It’s a critical industrial commodity that is currently in short supply. Whether $90 is the peak or just the pit stop on the way to $150 depends on how the next few months of trade wars and tech demand play out.
Monitor the daily spot price fluctuations during London and New York trading hours to see if $90 holds as a new floor. If silver stays above $88 for the next two weeks, the technical "breakout" is confirmed, and the path to $100 becomes much clearer.