how much is aluminum per pound
Aluminum is currently around 1.40–1.50 USD per pound on global commodity markets for primary (non-scrap) metal, with common U.S. scrap yard prices typically 0.55–1.15 USD per pound depending on the type and cleanliness of the material.
Quick Scoop: How Much Is Aluminum Per Pound?
For February 2026, bulk exchange prices for aluminum are trading a bit above 3,100 USD per metric ton, which converts to roughly 1.40–1.45 USD per pound for primary aluminum. Scrap prices are lower because recyclers need to sort, clean, and process the metal before it returns to the market.
At a typical scrap yard (example: Texas markets in early 2026):
- Clean mixed aluminum: about 0.55–0.65 USD/lb
- Clean extrusions: up to 0.85 USD/lb
- Premium clean aluminum wire: up to 1.15 USD/lb
Those numbers are illustrative, and your actual local price will depend on region, demand, and how clean your metal is.
Why Prices Move So Much
Several big forces push aluminum prices up and down:
- Energy costs : Aluminum is energy‑intensive to produce, so power prices feed directly into the per‑pound cost.
- Global demand : Construction, autos, aerospace, and packaging demand make prices rise when factories are busy.
- Market speculation : Traders in commodity markets react to economic data and geopolitical risks, creating short‑term spikes.
- Regional scrap dynamics : Local supply, transport costs, and competition between yards affect what you get per pound for scrap.
A useful mental picture: think of the exchange price (around 1.40–1.50 USD/lb right now) as the “ceiling,” and scrap prices (roughly 0.55–1.15 USD/lb) as slices under that ceiling depending on quality and processing costs.
Types of Aluminum and Typical Price Ranges
Here’s a quick look at how different forms of aluminum usually line up:
| Type of aluminum | Typical use | Approx. price per lb (recent) | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Primary exchange aluminum | Industrial ingots, large contracts | ≈ 1.40–1.50 USD/lb | [1][3]Converted from ~3,100 USD/metric ton in Feb 2026 | [3]
| Clean mixed scrap | General scrap pieces, clean | ≈ 0.55–0.65 USD/lb | [6]Typical yard range reported for Jan 2026 in Texas | [6]
| Clean extrusions | Window frames, structural profiles | Up to ≈ 0.85 USD/lb | [6]Higher purity and form make it more valuable | [6]
| Premium clean wire | Electrical aluminum wire | Up to ≈ 1.15 USD/lb | [6]High purity, strong demand in power sector | [6]
| Mixed/“dirty” scrap | Painted, attached steel, plastic, etc. | Often well below clean prices | [4][6]Discounted because yards must remove contaminants | [4][6]
Mini How‑To: Getting the Best Price for Your Aluminum
If you’re asking “how much is aluminum per pound” because you plan to sell scrap, a few practical steps can noticeably bump your payout:
- Sort by type
- Separate cans, extrusions (frames, trim), cast parts, wire, and mixed scrap; yards often pay more for sorted material.
- Make it as “clean” as possible
- Remove screws, steel brackets, plastic, foam, wood, heavy paint, and labels when feasible; cleaner loads move closer to the high end of local price ranges.
- Reduce volume where it makes sense
- Flatten cans and collapse bulky items so you can transport more in one trip, as long as you don’t mix too many types together.
- Call multiple yards the same day
- Prices can vary yard‑to‑yard in the same city, and aluminum is volatile, so quotes from last week may already be stale.
- Watch the broader market trend
- When exchange prices for aluminum are rising, scrap yards often nudge their offers up too, though sometimes with a delay.
A small example: someone bringing in 100 lb of clean extrusions at 0.85 USD/lb earns about 85 USD, while the same weight sold as “dirty” mixed scrap might land closer to 55–60 USD depending on local discounts.
Where This Sits in Today’s Market
As of early 2026, aluminum prices are elevated compared to a year or two ago, with exchange levels more than 15–20% higher year‑over‑year and still well below the extreme highs seen in 2022. Industrial demand, especially in construction, vehicles, and energy infrastructure, is keeping the market tight, which supports a relatively strong per‑pound price.
If you’re writing or reading about “how much is aluminum per pound” as a trending topic, that’s partly because metal prices have been moving faster than usual, and people are trying to decide whether to hold onto scrap or cash in now.
Bottom note: Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.
