Thinking about selling your mineral rights, or weighing a lease offer? This free calculator estimates the present value of your royalty income, shows how an offer compares, and works out a lease bonus payment. It is a starting point for a conversation, not an appraisal.
Pick the option that fits your situation. The numbers update as you type.
| Year | Est. income | Value today |
|---|
The bonus is paid once, when the lease is signed. Your long-term income depends on the royalty rate and deduction terms if a well is drilled. Use our royalty calculator to see what different royalty rates could pay.
Estimates only. Real market value depends on the operator’s drilling plans, title, lease terms, location and buyer demand. This is not an appraisal and not legal or financial advice.
How mineral rights are valued
There is no single price for mineral rights. Buyers and appraisers usually look at three things:
- Current income. For producing minerals, the starting point is the royalty you receive now and how fast it is likely to decline.
- Future drilling. Acreage near new permits or planned units can be worth more than its current income suggests.
- Risk and terms. Title problems, lease deductions, the operator and gas prices all affect what a buyer will pay.
The calculator above uses a discounted cash flow, the same basic method used across the industry. It projects your income forward at a steady decline and converts each future dollar into today’s dollars at the discount rate you choose.
Comparing a purchase offer
Mineral buyers often describe offers as a number of months of your current income. Compare any offer to the present value estimate and ask:
- Is the buyer purchasing all of your rights, or only the royalty? A mineral deed and a royalty deed transfer different things.
- Does the deed describe only the tract you intend to sell, or “all” of your interests in the county?
- Is there new drilling activity nearby that the buyer may know about?
- Who pays for title work and recording, and when is the money paid?
Once you sell, the decision is permanent. Many landowners prefer to keep minerals in the family and pass them on through a will or trust.
Lease bonus payments
A lease bonus is the one-time payment an operator makes when you sign an oil and gas lease. It is usually quoted per net mineral acre. The bonus matters, but the royalty rate, the deduction clause, the primary term and surface protections often matter more over the life of the lease. Our lease review service covers those terms before you sign.
Common questions
How do I know how many net mineral acres I own?
Multiply the gross acres in your tract by the fraction of the minerals you own. Old deeds often reserve part of the oil and gas, so the answer is not always obvious. A title opinion confirms your ownership.
Are mineral rights taxed when they are inherited?
Yes. In Pennsylvania the value of mineral rights is part of the estate for inheritance tax purposes. Try our PA inheritance tax calculator for an estimate.
Should I sell my mineral rights?
It depends on your goals, your income needs and the offer. Selling turns future income into cash now, but you give up any upside from future wells. We can review the offer and the deed so you understand exactly what you would be giving up. Learn more about our mineral rights work.
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