Brass Scrap Value Calculator - Payout by Grade | 1Dollars

Free Brass Scrap Value Calculator

Calculate brass scrap value from buyer grade, gross and excluded weight, entered price, payout percentage and fixed deductions. Compare gross grade value with estimated net payout per kilogram and pound.

Brass Scrap Value and Buyer Payout

Select the buyer's written brass grade, enter payable weight inputs and use the matching current yard rate. The grade menu does not insert a price, alloy percentage or automatic recovery.

Brass lot

Buyer brass grade or conditionMixed yellow brass solids — buyer acceptedRed / composition brass — buyer acceptedClean cocks and faucets — buyer acceptedYellow brass castingsNew clean brass clippingsClean brass pipeYellow brass turnings / boringsLeaded brass turnings — buyer-specificMixed unsweated auto radiatorsPlated, painted or coated brass — buyer-specificMixed brass and copper-alloy scrapCustom buyer grade or conditionUse the exact wording on the buyer quote or scale ticket. Do not grade from color alone.

Gross brass-lot weight

Grams (g)Kilograms (kg)Regular ounces (oz)Pounds (lb)Short tons (2,000 lb)Metric tonnes (1,000 kg)Long tons (2,240 lb)

Known excluded weightSame unit as gross weight. Use for measured iron, plastic, rubber, sediment, tare or other non-payable material; keep 0 for a direct whole-lot rate.

Entered brass price

Current price for selected brass grade

per gramper kilogramper regular ounceper poundper short tonper metric tonneper long ton

Enter the buyer rate for this exact accepted grade and preparation—not a copper commodity price.

Currency codeINRUSDEURGBPAEDSARCADAUDNZDSGDCHFJPYPKRBDTZAR

Buyer deductions

Buyer payout of calculated grade value (%)Keep 100% when the entered grade rate is already the final payable yard price.

Processing or sorting fee

Transport or pickup fee

Other fixed deduction

No live brass price, automatic grade, alloy assay, copper percentage, recovery rate or guaranteed buyer offer is supplied. Inspection, scale weight, contamination, moisture, market timing, taxes and written buyer terms control settlement.

Reviewed on 16 July 2026 using the January 2026 ReMA ISRI Specifications, ReMA metals-transaction guidance, NIST Handbook 44 (2026) and OSHA scrap-metal safety guidance.

Brass scrap value depends on the buyer-accepted grade, payable weight, current grade-specific rate and settlement terms. Brass is a family of copper-zinc alloys, not one fixed composition, so this calculator deliberately does not estimate value from color or an assumed copper percentage.

Quick answer: choose the exact buyer brass grade, enter gross and known excluded weight, add the matching current yard rate, then apply any separately stated payout adjustment and fixed fees.

Brass Scrap Value Formulas

Payable brass weight = gross brass-lot weight − known excluded weight

Gross brass grade value = payable weight × normalized grade rate

Estimated net payout = gross grade value × buyer payout % − fixed deductions

Minimum payable weight to cover fees = fixed fees ÷ (rate per kg × payout fraction)

Net payout is floored at zero. Minimum weight covers only the entered fixed fees; it does not include collection labor, tools, tax, storage or business profit.

How to Use the Brass Scrap Calculator

1. Select the grade or condition written on the buyer quote.
2. Enter the complete brass lot weight and its unit.
3. Subtract only measured non-payable material or tare.
4. Enter the current rate for that exact accepted grade.
5. Select the price unit separately from the weight unit.
6. Keep payout at 100% when the entered yard rate is already final.
7. Add only separately disclosed processing, transport and other fixed deductions.
8. Compare gross grade value, net payout and net value per gross/payable unit.

Common Brass Scrap Grades

ReMA specifications provide trade descriptions, but buyer inspection and written terms still control. The calculator options are labels only.

Calculator selection	ReMA reference	Key treatment
Mixed yellow brass solids	Honey	Mixed yellow-brass solids; buyer exclusions cover certain bronzes, radiator material, iron, munitions and excessive contamination
Red / composition brass	Ebony	Red-brass valves, bearings and castings under a separate composition and preparation description
Clean cocks and faucets	Grape	Mixed clean red/yellow brass fittings under stated exclusions and composition conditions
Yellow brass castings	Ivory	Castings with piece-size, plating and alloy exclusions
New clean brass clippings	Label	New unleaded yellow-brass sheet or plate clippings with cleanliness and size conditions
Clean brass pipe	Melon	Clean pipe under plating, solder, connection, sediment and tubing exclusions
Yellow brass turnings	Nomad	Turnings subject to contamination limits and sample or analysis
Mixed unsweated auto radiators	Ocean	Separate radiator category with actual iron deduction and agreed weight basis

Do not self-assign a formal code: color, magnet response or object type alone cannot prove alloy or trade grade. Confirm the current buyer specification, preparation, analysis basis and rate in writing.

Yellow Brass vs Red Brass Scrap Value

Yellow brassA broad copper-zinc alloy family and scrap category. Different alloys, coatings and contamination can receive different rates.

Red or composition brassA separate buyer category that can include copper, tin, zinc and/or lead in valves, bearings and castings.

Color is not an assayTarnish, plating, lighting and surface wear can make visual sorting unreliable.

Buyer rate controlsUse the rate for the accepted grade rather than applying copper spot price to guessed copper content.

The Copper Development Association describes brass as a family of copper-zinc alloys. Some brasses also contain other elements, so a universal copper percentage should not be applied to mixed scrap.

Gross Weight, Excluded Weight and Whole-Lot Rates

Excluded weight is useful when a buyer pays the selected brass rate only on a measured net amount. Examples may include iron attachments, plastic handles, rubber, sediment, moisture, packaging or scale tare.

Use excluded weightThe quote pays the selected grade rate on measured brass-condition weight after a known deduction.

Keep excluded weight at zeroThe buyer gives one direct rate for the complete accepted lot in its current condition.

Avoid double deductionsDo not subtract attachments again if the lower whole-lot rate already accounts for them.

Do not guess weightUse scale, processing or settlement records when non-payable content matters.

Worked Brass Scrap Payout Example

Assume a 100-pound brass lot with 5 pounds of measured excluded material. Use an illustrative USD 2.30 per payable pound rate, 97% buyer payout, USD 8 processing fee and USD 12 transport fee:

• Payable brass weight = 100 lb − 5 lb = 95 lb
• Gross brass grade value = 95 lb × USD 2.30 = USD 218.50
• Buyer offer before fixed fees = USD 218.50 × 97% = USD 211.95
• Total fixed deductions = USD 20.00
• Estimated net payout = USD 191.95
• Net payout per gross pound = approximately USD 1.92
• Net payout per payable pound = approximately USD 2.02
• Minimum payable weight to cover fees = approximately 8.97 lb

The example rate, payout and fees are illustrative only—not current or typical terms.

Price per Pound, Kilogram or Ton

The calculator normalizes weight and price independently through kilograms. It uses NIST conversion factors:

• 1 pound = exactly 0.45359237 kg
• 1 regular ounce = 0.028349523125 kg
• 1 short ton = 907.18474 kg
• 1 metric tonne = exactly 1,000 kg
• 1 long ton = 1,016.0469088 kg

ReMA's nonferrous terms use a 2,000-pound ton unless otherwise specified. Always confirm the quoted ton type. Brass scrap uses ordinary avoirdupois ounces here, not troy ounces.

Turnings, Pipe, Faucets and Radiators

Turnings and boringsOil, moisture, iron, mixed alloys and analysis terms can affect grade and payable weight.

Brass pipePlating, solder, connections, sediment and condenser-tube material can change acceptance.

Cocks and faucetsPlated fittings may be covered by a specific mixed clean category, subject to exclusions and composition terms.

Auto radiatorsMixed unsweated radiators have a separate specification and may use actual iron deductions.

Do not apply a clean yellow-brass rate to these materials unless the buyer explicitly accepts them under that rate.

Buyer Payout Percentage and Fixed Fees

Buyer payout percentage reduces calculated grade value before fixed fees. Keep it at 100% when the entered rate is already final. Otherwise, enter the separately disclosed percentage-based settlement share.

Fixed fields can record processing/sorting, transport/pickup and one other disclosed transaction charge. Do not apply the same margin both through a lower yard rate and a reduced payout percentage.

How to Compare Brass Scrap Quotes

1. Compare the same accepted brass grade and preparation basis.
2. Confirm gross weight, tare and payable-weight method.
3. Normalize each rate to the same currency and unit.
4. Record inspection, sample, analysis and downgrade terms.
5. List percentage adjustments and fixed fees separately.
6. Compare final net payout per gross and payable kilogram or pound.

ReMA metals-transaction guidance recommends precise written descriptions, quantity, unit price, impurity deductions, payment terms and the governing weight basis.

Safe and Lawful Brass Scrap Handling

Do not cut pressurized fittings, sealed vessels, gas components, energized equipment or unknown assemblies. Avoid burning coatings, using unsafe chemical stripping or generating uncontrolled metal dust. Turnings may retain oils and sharp edges.

Do not place ammunition, live primers, unexploded ordnance or unknown shell cases in an ordinary brass lot. The 2026 ReMA yellow-brass specification excludes munitions. Follow applicable law, buyer policy and qualified safety procedures.

OSHA identifies machinery, manual handling, toxic-metal exposure, combustible dust, fire and explosion among scrap-recycling hazards. Appropriate training, protective equipment and compliant procedures are essential.

Which Brass or Scrap Calculator Should You Use?

Brass Scrap ValueUse for one buyer-graded brass lot with excluded weight, payout percentage and fixed fees.

Scrap Metal PriceUse for a transaction containing multiple metals or grades.

Scrap Copper ValueUse for a buyer-graded copper lot rather than a copper-zinc brass alloy.

Aluminum Scrap ValueThe next page handles cans, sheet, cast and extrusion grades.

Related Brass, Copper and Scrap Calculators

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Frequently Asked Questions

How do I calculate brass scrap value?

Subtract known non-payable weight from gross lot weight, multiply payable weight by the matching normalized brass-grade rate, apply the buyer payout percentage and subtract fixed fees.

Does the calculator provide today's brass scrap price?

No. Enter the current buyer rate for the exact accepted brass grade, preparation, quantity, location, currency and price unit.

Is red brass always worth more than yellow brass?

Not automatically. Alloy, accepted trade grade, cleanliness, attachments, analysis, market timing and local buyer demand affect the rate. Compare written quotes for the same material.

Can I identify brass grade by color?

Color alone is not reliable because alloy, plating, tarnish, coatings and lighting can change appearance. Use buyer inspection or suitable documented analysis.

How do I handle iron, plastic or rubber attachments?

If measured attachment weight is excluded from the selected brass rate, enter it as excluded weight. If the buyer gives one direct whole-lot rate, keep excluded weight at zero to avoid double deduction.

Are brass faucets and plumbing fittings yellow brass scrap?

Not necessarily. ReMA lists cocks and faucets and brass pipe under separate descriptions with specific inclusions and exclusions. Use the buyer's exact accepted grade.

How should brass turnings or borings be valued?

Use the buyer's turning grade, sample or analysis basis, payable weight and rate. Oil, moisture, iron and mixed alloys can affect acceptance.

Can I enter pounds for weight and price per kilogram?

Yes. Weight and price units are independent and normalized through kilograms before value is calculated.

Should I use copper spot price for brass scrap?

No universal formula applies. Brass contains copper and zinc in varying proportions and may contain other elements; scrap pricing also reflects grade, recovery and buyer terms. Use a matching brass scrap rate.

Is the estimated brass scrap payout guaranteed?

No. Final grade, scale weight, tare, attachments, contamination, moisture, analysis, market timing, deductions, taxes and buyer terms can change settlement.

Official Reference Sources

• ReMA ISRI Specifications (January 2026) – red-metals and brass scrap descriptions
• ReMA ISRI Specifications – current nonferrous terms and conditions
• ReMA – guidelines for metals transactions
• Copper Development Association – copper alloy families including brass
• NIST Handbook 44 (2026), Appendix C – mass conversion tables
• OSHA – metal scrap recycling hazard guidance

Disclaimer: This calculator and guide provide general educational estimates, not a live brass price, alloy identification, assay, formal trade-grade decision, certified scale result, guaranteed buyer offer, safety instruction, legal advice, tax advice or financial advice. Verify ownership, material identity, lawful handling, grade, payable weight, current rate, deductions, taxes and buyer terms independently.