Scrap Copper Value Calculator - Weight & Payout | 1Dollars

Free Scrap Copper Value Calculator

Calculate copper scrap value from buyer grade, gross and excluded weight, entered price and payout terms. Compare gross grade value with estimated net payout per kilogram and pound.

Copper Scrap Value and Buyer Payout

Select a buyer grade for labeling, then enter the matching yard price. The grade menu does not insert a live rate, copper percentage or automatic recovery.

Copper lot

Buyer copper grade Bare bright copper wireNo. 1 copper wireNo. 1 heavy copper solids / tubingNo. 2 copper wireNo. 2 copper solids / tubingCopper pipe / tubing — buyer-specificCopper turnings / boringsInsulated copper wireCopper-bearing materialMixed copper scrapCustom buyer grade Use the buyer's exact written grade and current matching price.

Gross copper-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)

Excluded non-copper or tare weight Enter this in the same unit as gross weight. It must be smaller than gross weight.

Entered copper price

Current price for selected grade

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

Currency codeINRUSDEURGBPAEDSARCADAUDNZDSGDCHFJPYPKRBDTZAR

Buyer deductions

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

Processing or sorting fee

Transport or pickup fee

Other fixed deduction

No live copper price, assay, grade acceptance or recovery percentage is supplied. Actual scale weight, inspection, attachments, contamination, moisture, market timing, taxes and buyer terms can change the settlement.

Reviewed on 15 July 2026 using ReMA copper scrap specifications, NIST 2026 weight conversions and OSHA scrap-metal safety guidance.

Scrap copper value depends on the buyer-accepted grade, eligible weight, current grade-specific price and settlement terms. This calculator values one copper lot and makes excluded weight, percentage deduction and fixed fees visible.

Quick answer: select the buyer grade, enter gross and excluded weight, add the matching current copper scrap price, then enter the buyer payout percentage and fixed deductions.

Scrap Copper Value Formulas

Eligible copper-grade weight = gross lot weight − excluded non-copper or tare weight

Gross grade value = eligible weight × normalized grade price per kg

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

Minimum eligible weight to cover fixed fees = fixed fees ÷ (price per kg × payout fraction)

Net payout is floored at zero. The break-even weight covers only the entered fixed deductions; it is not an operating-profit or hauling-profit calculation.

How to Use the Copper Scrap Calculator

1. Select the copper grade written on the buyer quote, or choose custom grade.
2. Enter the complete lot weight and its unit.
3. Subtract known non-copper attachments, packaging or tare in the same unit.
4. Enter the current price for that exact grade and select its price unit.
5. Keep buyer payout at 100% when the entered yard rate is already final.
6. Add only separately disclosed processing, transport and other fixed deductions.
7. Review eligible weight, gross grade value, net payout and net value per kg or lb.

Copper Grade Is a Trade Specification

The grade selector labels the calculation but does not apply a copper percentage or a price. ReMA specifications define commercial descriptions and permitted or excluded material, while several details remain subject to agreement between buyer and seller.

Common selection	ReMA-associated wording	Calculator treatment
Bare bright copper wire	Barley No. 1 copper wire	Label only; enter the buyer's accepted rate
No. 1 copper wire	Berry No. 1 copper wire	Label only; no gauge or condition assumed
No. 1 heavy solids/tubing	Candy No. 1 heavy copper solids and tubing	Label only; attachments are not auto-excluded
No. 2 copper wire	Birch No. 2 copper wire	Label only; no assay result is supplied
No. 2 solids/tubing	Cliff No. 2 copper solids and tubing	Label only; buyer inspection controls

Do not use these names from appearance alone. Coatings, solder, tinning, corrosion, insulation, oil, iron, brass, bronze, sediment and other material can change grade acceptance.

Use the current written quote: formal definitions, buyer requirements and local market labels can differ. Record the exact specification, preparation, unit, price and inspection terms.

Gross Weight and Excluded Weight

Gross weight is the measured mass of the full lot. Excluded weight is a known amount that should not receive the selected copper grade price, such as:

• containers, pallets, bins or other tare;
• insulation, rubber, plastic or fabric coverings;
• steel, brass or non-copper fittings and attachments;
• dirt, sediment, moisture, oil or foreign material; and
• motors, sealed units or assemblies not accepted under the selected grade.

When non-copper content is known only as a recovery percentage, use the later Copper Cable Recovery Calculator or the buyer's documented payable-weight method instead of inventing an excluded weight.

Price per Pound, Kilogram or Ton

Weight and price units are independent. A lot may be weighed in kilograms and priced per pound, or weighed in pounds and priced per metric tonne. The tool normalizes both to kilograms.

Normalized price per kg = entered price ÷ kilograms represented by the selected price unit

• 1 pound = 0.45359237 kilogram
• 1 short ton = 907.18474 kilograms
• 1 metric tonne = 1,000 kilograms
• 1 long ton = 1,016.0469088 kilograms

NIST notes that “ton” is ambiguous. Confirm whether the buyer means a 2,000-pound short ton, a 1,000-kilogram metric tonne or a 2,240-pound long ton.

Worked Scrap Copper Example

Assume a 100-pound copper lot with 5 pounds of known excluded material. Use an illustrative USD 4 per eligible pound grade rate, 98% buyer payout, USD 10 processing fee and USD 15 transport fee:

• Eligible copper-grade weight = 100 lb − 5 lb = 95 lb
• Gross grade value = 95 lb × USD 4 = USD 380.00
• Buyer offer before fixed fees = USD 380 × 98% = USD 372.40
• Total fixed fees = USD 25.00
• Estimated net payout = USD 347.40
• Net payout per eligible pound = approximately USD 3.66
• Minimum eligible weight to cover fixed fees = approximately 6.38 lb

The grade rate, payout and fees are examples only—not live prices or typical buyer terms.

Buyer Payout Percentage and Fees

Buyer payout percentageReduces gross grade value before fixed fees. Keep 100% if the rate is already a final yard price.

Processing or sortingA fixed charge for the complete copper lot.

Transport or pickupA fixed collection, delivery or haulage deduction.

Other deductionOne additional fixed amount disclosed for the transaction.

A quote may use a lower rate instead of a separate payout percentage. Do not subtract the same margin twice.

How to Compare Copper Scrap Offers

1. Use the same grade, eligible weight and inspection basis for every quote.
2. Convert prices to the same currency and unit.
3. Confirm scale tare, rounding, minimum quantity and payment timing.
4. List every percentage adjustment and fixed deduction.
5. Compare final net payout per eligible kilogram or pound.

Keep the scale ticket and settlement statement. Clarify downgrade, rejection, return-material and return-transport terms before delivery.

Copper Identification and Safe Handling

A magnet, color or surface scratch is not a complete alloy or grade test. Use suitable documented testing when composition matters. Do not burn insulation or coatings, open sealed units, drain unknown fluids, or cut energized or pressurized equipment.

OSHA identifies hazards in metal scrap recycling including machinery, manual handling, toxic metals, combustible dust, fire and explosion. Safe collection, sorting and preparation require appropriate training, equipment and legal compliance.

Scrap Copper Calculator vs Other Copper Tools

Scrap Copper Value CalculatorValues one buyer-graded copper lot with excluded weight, payout percentage and fixed fees.

Scrap Metal Price CalculatorCombines up to 10 different metals and grades in one transaction.

Copper Price per Pound / KgThe next pages focus on unit-price conversion and value in one specific pricing unit.

Wire, grade and pipe toolsLater pages model cable recovery, bare bright, No. 1 vs No. 2 comparison and pipe preparation.

Related Copper and Scrap Calculators

Scrap Metal Price Calculator Copper Price per Pound Calculator Copper Price per Kg Calculator Copper Wire Scrap Calculator Copper Cable Recovery Calculator Bare Bright Copper Calculator #1 vs #2 Copper Calculator Copper Pipe Scrap Calculator Brass Scrap Value Calculator Aluminum Scrap Value Calculator All Metals Calculators

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I calculate scrap copper value?

Subtract excluded weight from gross weight, convert the eligible result to the entered price unit and multiply by the grade rate. Then apply buyer payout percentage and fixed deductions.

Does the calculator provide today's copper scrap price?

No. Enter a current price for the exact buyer grade, location, quantity and preparation condition.

Does selecting No. 1 or No. 2 copper change the formula?

No. Grade selection labels the result only. The entered rate and eligible weight determine value; the buyer determines grade acceptance.

What weight should I exclude?

Exclude known tare and non-payable material such as containers, insulation, steel attachments, dirt or other material that should not receive the selected grade price.

Can weight be in pounds and price per kilogram?

Yes. Weight and price units are independent and are normalized through kilograms.

What is the difference between short ton and metric tonne?

A short ton is 2,000 pounds or 907.18474 kilograms. A metric tonne is 1,000 kilograms. A long ton is 2,240 pounds.

What does buyer payout percentage mean?

It is the portion of calculated eligible grade value payable before fixed fees. Use 100% if the entered rate already represents the final payable yard price.

What is the minimum weight to cover fixed fees?

It is fixed deductions divided by the normalized grade rate and buyer payout fraction. It covers entered fees only, not labor, fuel, storage or profit targets.

Can insulated wire use this calculator?

It can be labeled and valued with a buyer's direct insulated-wire rate. For copper recovery from cable weight, use the dedicated wire or cable recovery calculator.

Is the estimated copper payout guaranteed?

No. Actual weight, inspection, grade, attachments, contamination, moisture, market timing, taxes, deductions and buyer terms can change settlement.

Official Reference Sources

• Recycled Materials Association – copper scrap specification names and updates
• Recycled Materials Association – current specifications circular overview
• NIST Handbook 44 (2026), Appendix B – short, long and metric ton definitions
• NIST Handbook 44 (2026), Appendix C – mass conversion tables
• OSHA – scrap metal recycling hazards and precautions

Disclaimer: This calculator and guide provide general educational estimates, not a live market quote, grade determination, assay, certified scale result, guaranteed buyer offer, safety instruction, tax advice or legal advice. Verify grade, eligible weight, unit, price, deductions, taxes, safety requirements and buyer terms independently.