Copper Melt Value Calculator
Current copper price: $2.04/troy oz (Reference price)
Copper Melt Value Calculator
Buy From Trusted Dealers
Common Copper Items
| Item | Weight | Melt Value |
|---|---|---|
| 1 lb Copper Bar (99.9%) | 14.5833 ozt | $29.74 |
| Copper Penny (pre-1982, 3.11g, 95% Cu) | 0.0950 ozt | $0.19 |
| Copper Pipe per foot (~0.5 lb) | 7.2917 ozt | $14.73 |
| Copper Wire per lb | 14.5833 ozt | $29.47 |
Copper Scrap Grades
| Grade | Purity | Value/lb |
|---|---|---|
| #1 Bare Bright | 99% | $29.47 |
| #1 Copper (clean) | 96% | $28.58 |
| #2 Copper (mixed) | 94% | $27.98 |
| Insulated Wire (~40% recovery) | 40% | $11.91 |
Copper Recycling and Scrap Value
Copper is one of the most recycled metals in the world. Nearly 80% of all copper ever mined is still in use today, thanks to its ability to be recycled indefinitely without losing any properties.
Scrap copper is graded by purity. "Bare bright" (or #1 bright) is the highest grade — clean, uncoated, unalloyed copper wire or bus bar. #1 copper includes clean pipe and tubing, while #2 copper has solder, paint, or minor impurities. The price you receive for scrap typically ranges from 75–95% of the spot copper price depending on grade.
Common sources of scrap copper include electrical wiring, plumbing pipes and fittings, air conditioning units, electric motors, and pre-1982 US pennies (which are 95% copper). Note: it is currently illegal to melt US pennies for their copper content.
Melt Value = Weight (troy oz) × Purity × Spot Price