US Trends

how much is copper per pound

Copper is trading around 5.7–5.8 US dollars per pound on major markets in mid‑February 2026, but what you’ll actually get (or pay) per pound depends heavily on whether it’s exchange-grade metal or scrap, and where you are.

Current market price (Feb 2026)

  • Recent COMEX and CFD data show copper near about 5.7–5.8 USD per pound as of mid‑February 2026.
  • LME cash prices converted to per‑pound terms line up in roughly the same zone, a bit under 13,000 USD per metric ton (about 5.7–5.9 USD/lb).
  • Prices have cooled a few percent over the last month but are still notably higher than a year ago.

Think of this as the “headline” price that financial markets quote for high‑purity copper, not what your local yard necessarily pays for old wire.

What scrap yards pay per pound

Scrap copper pricing is usually a discount to those exchange prices, and it varies by grade and region.

Typical pattern (illustrative, not exact quotes):

  • Bare bright wire: Often the top price, sometimes approaching 70–90% of the market price per pound depending on local competition.
  • #1 copper: Clean, unalloyed pipe or wire with minimal oxidation, usually a bit below bare bright.
  • #2 copper: Painted, slightly dirty, or more oxidized, discounted further.
  • Mixed/low-grade copper: Heavier discount because of cleaning and processing costs.

Local yards also factor in:

  • Regional demand (construction, manufacturing, infrastructure work).
  • Their own inventory and processing capacity.
  • Short‑term market moves (yards may shade prices down when futures look weak).

If copper on the exchange is around 5.7–5.8 USD/lb, seeing scrap offers between roughly 3–5 USD/lb across different grades and locations would not be unusual, but you need current local quotes to know your real number.

Why the price moves so much

Several forces push copper up or down:

  • Global industrial demand: Construction, power-grid projects, EVs, electronics, and renewable energy are huge drivers.
  • Supply issues: Strikes, mine disruptions, or new projects in big producers (Chile, Peru, DR Congo) can tighten or loosen supply.
  • Macro factors: Interest rates, the strength of the US dollar, and growth expectations in China, the US, and Europe.
  • Investor/speculator activity: When traders expect tight supply or strong demand, they bid up futures contracts.

In early 2026, prices are elevated versus many past years, reflecting strong medium‑term demand expectations and recent highs above 6.5 USD/lb in January.

Forum and “latest news” flavor

On trader and scrap forums, people are:

  • Watching whether copper can retest or break its early‑2026 highs around the mid‑6 USD/lb range.
  • Debating if recent pullbacks (a few percent in a month) are just noise in a longer uptrend or the start of a bigger correction.
  • Sharing tips on:
    • Calling multiple yards for quotes rather than relying on one.
    • Separating copper by grade (bare bright vs mixed) to improve payout.

A common theme: even modest moves of 0.10–0.20 USD/lb matter a lot if you’re moving thousands of pounds or running a recycling business.

“Copper is now over $5 a pound!” has been a recurring headline in scrap circles since 2025, with people treating 5 USD/lb as a psychological level where old wire and pipes suddenly feel ‘too valuable’ to throw away.

Quick how‑to: checking your real price

If you’re trying to answer “how much is copper per pound” for yourself today:

  1. Look up today’s market price
    • Search a live copper chart or futures quote for COMEX or LME; note the price in USD/lb.
  1. Call or check local scrap yards
    • Ask specifically for:
      • Bare bright copper price per pound.
      • #1 copper.
      • #2 copper.
  2. Compare to the market
    • Roughly estimate what percentage of the market price each yard is offering.
    • Factor in drive time and minimum loads to see what actually maximizes your take‑home value.
  1. Decide when to sell
    • If your yard updates prices daily and markets are falling, sooner may be better.
    • If markets are rising and your yard lags, waiting could help—but it’s a gamble.

Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.