Metal Scrap Value Calculator – Scrap Metal Price & Weight
Estimate the value of scrap copper, aluminum, brass, steel, stainless steel and other metals from weight, grade, purity, local scrap price and buyer deductions.
How scrap value is calculated
- Gross value = accepted weight × quoted scrap price.
- Payable weight accounts for the purity or payable percentage you enter.
- Net estimated value subtracts the buyer or processing deduction from the gross payable value.
- Grade matters because clean, sorted metal can receive a different price from mixed or contaminated material.
- Local prices matter because scrap buyers quote based on region, quantity, market conditions and material quality.
For the most useful estimate, enter the actual price quoted by your local scrap dealer for your specific grade. The calculator does not assume a live market price.
Scrap prices are not fixed. This is an educational estimate, not a guaranteed buying price. Actual payout may change after inspection, weighing, sorting and grade verification.
Metal scrap grades and what can change the price
Copper
Bare bright, #1, #2, mixed
Aluminum
Clean, cast, sheet, mixed
Brass
Clean, yellow, mixed
Stainless
Grade and alloy dependent
Turnings
Often treated differently
These labels are broad categories. A scrap yard may use its own grading system and buying specifications.
Scrap value formulas
Convert weight to kilograms
kg = entered weight × unit conversion factor
Gross value
gross = payable weight × price per kg
Payable weight
payable weight = total weight × purity %
Net estimated value
net = gross value × (1 − deduction %)
Effective price
effective price = net value ÷ original weight
What reduces actual scrap payout?
- Mixed metals that cannot be sold as a higher-grade category.
- Paint, plastic, rubber, insulation and other attached materials.
- Oil, dirt, moisture and other contamination.
- Unknown alloy composition.
- Small quantities that do not qualify for higher-volume pricing.
- Processing or sorting charges.
- Transportation or pickup deductions.
- Buyer-specific minimum weights or grading rules.
- Market price changes between quotation and sale.
- Differences between scale weight and accepted metal weight.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I calculate the value of scrap metal?
Enter the scrap weight and the price your buyer offers for that material grade. The calculator converts the units and estimates the gross and net value.
What scrap metal is usually worth more?
Prices vary over time, but non-ferrous metals such as copper, brass and aluminum are commonly valued differently from ferrous steel. Actual prices depend on grade and market conditions.
Should I use the metal's raw commodity price?
Not necessarily. Scrap-yard prices can differ substantially from refined-metal or exchange prices because scrap requires sorting, processing, transportation and grading.
Why is clean scrap worth more?
Clean, correctly sorted material is easier for a recycler to process and can qualify for a better grade than contaminated or mixed material.
Can I use pounds or tonnes?
Yes. The calculator accepts grams, kilograms, pounds, metric tonnes and US short tons for weight and matching price units.
Does purity mean laboratory purity?
Not necessarily. In this calculator, the percentage is a planning input representing the portion of the material you expect the buyer to treat as payable metal.
Does the calculator provide live scrap prices?
No. Enter a current local buyer quotation or other price you trust. Scrap prices can vary by location, grade, quantity and date.
Is the result a guaranteed payout?
No. The final payout is determined by the buyer after weighing and inspecting the material and applying their current grading and pricing rules.