Today's scrap metal prices, across the major grades
Copper (bare bright)
$5.71/ lb
Updated 09:39:03 UTC
+1.17%
Aluminum (sheet)
$1.09/ lb
Updated 09:39:03 UTC
-1.75%
Brass (yellow)
$3.54/ lb
Updated 09:39:03 UTC
+1.17%
Stainless steel (304)
$0.44/ lb
Updated 09:39:03 UTC
-4.49%
Prepared steel (#1 HMS)
$0.12/ lb
Updated 09:39:03 UTC
-1.44%
Gold (spot)
$3,422/ toz
Updated 09:39:03 UTC
-4.47%
Silver (spot)
$30.25/ toz
Updated 09:39:03 UTC
-1.40%
| Metal / Grade | Price | 24h | Last Updated |
|---|---|---|---|
| Copper (bare bright) | $5.71/ lb | +1.17% | 09:39:03 UTC |
| Aluminum (sheet) | $1.09/ lb | -1.75% | 09:39:03 UTC |
| Brass (yellow) | $3.54/ lb | +1.17% | 09:39:03 UTC |
| Stainless steel (304) | $0.44/ lb | -4.49% | 09:39:03 UTC |
| Prepared steel (#1 HMS) | $0.12/ lb | -1.44% | 09:39:03 UTC |
| Gold (spot) | $3,422/ toz | -4.47% | 09:39:03 UTC |
| Silver (spot) | $30.25/ toz | -1.40% | 09:39:03 UTC |
Indicative pricing only — confirm rates with your local yard before transacting. Sourced from public futures data with typical scrap discounts applied; not a buy/sell quote.
The numbers above reflect indicative per-pound pricing for the most-traded scrap metals. Local yards quote relative to these reference points, with adjustments for grade, contamination, and regional supply.
What moves these numbers day-to-day
- Copper — most volatile; tracks COMEX, EV demand, China economic data, LME warehouse stocks
- Aluminum — moves with energy prices (refining is energy-intensive) and auto-sector demand
- Brass — follows copper since copper is roughly two-thirds of yellow brass by mass
- Stainless steel — tracks nickel pricing closely; nickel is the swing factor
- Prepared steel — most stable; moves with construction and automotive cycles
Reading a yard's price sheet
Most yards post one of three formats:
- Per-pound by grade — most common; cleanest to compare yard-to-yard
- Net of spot — "we pay 88% of LME copper" — useful if you trust the methodology
- Per-ton on ferrous — common for higher-volume sellers
Watch for footnotes like "minimum 100 lb," "subject to inspection," or "per-grade discounts apply" — these can dramatically affect what hits the ticket.