Aluminum Scrap Value Calculator - Payout by Grade | 1Dollars

Free Aluminum Scrap Value Calculator

Estimate aluminum scrap payout from buyer grade, gross and excluded weight, entered yard rate, payout percentage and fixed deductions. Compare value per kilogram and pound.

Aluminum Scrap Value and Buyer Payout

Select the buyer's written aluminum grade, enter gross and known excluded weight, then use the matching current yard rate. No price, alloy purity or recovery percentage is inserted automatically.

Aluminum lot

Buyer aluminum grade or conditionPost-consumer aluminum cans — buyer acceptedClean mixed old alloy sheet aluminumPainted aluminum sidingMixed aluminum castingsClean aluminum auto / truck wheelsClean aluminum auto castingsNew production aluminum extrusionsDealer-grade old aluminum extrusionsMixed aluminum turnings / boringsAll-aluminum auto radiators / condensersAluminum-copper radiatorsOld aluminum wire / cable — buyer-specificMixed aluminum scrap — buyer-specificCustom buyer grade or conditionUse the exact buyer quote or scale-ticket wording. Object type alone does not prove a formal grade.

Gross aluminum-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 measured iron, copper, plastic, rubber, glass, liquid, dirt, tare or other non-payable weight; keep 0 for a direct whole-lot rate.

Entered aluminum price

Current price for selected aluminum grade

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

Enter the buyer rate for the exact accepted grade, preparation and quantity—not an assumed aluminum 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 aluminum price, automatic grade, alloy assay, recovery percentage or guaranteed buyer offer is supplied. Inspection, scale weight, moisture, contamination, 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-recycling guidance.

Aluminum scrap value depends on the buyer-accepted grade, payable weight, matching current rate and settlement terms. Cans, sheet, siding, castings, wheels, extrusions, turnings, radiators and wire can follow different specifications and prices.

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

Aluminum Scrap Value Formulas

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

Gross aluminum 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. The minimum-weight output covers only entered fixed fees, not labor, tools, storage, taxes or business profit.

How to Use the Aluminum Scrap Calculator

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

Common Aluminum Scrap Grades

ReMA specifications are trade descriptions. Buyer inspection and written transaction terms determine whether a lot qualifies.

Calculator selection	ReMA reference	Key treatment
Post-consumer aluminum cans	Talc	Used food/beverage cans separated from other metals, foil, glass, paper, plastic and non-metallic material
Clean mixed old alloy sheet	Taint/Tabor	Old alloy sheet with stated exclusions for cans, foil, castings, plastic, dirt and other material
Painted aluminum siding	Tale	Painted low-copper siding without plastic coating, backing, iron, dirt or excessive corrosion
Mixed aluminum castings	Tense	Clean castings without ingots, iron, brass, dirt or non-metallic material
Aluminum auto/truck wheels	Troma	Clean single-piece, unplated wheels under alloy and attachment requirements
New production extrusions	Tata	One alloy, typically 6063; paint and other alloys require agreement
Dealer-grade old extrusions	Tutu	One alloy, typically 6063, 6061 or 7075, without specified attachments and contamination
Mixed aluminum turnings	Telic	Mixed-alloy turnings subject to fines, dirt, iron, oil, moisture and composition terms
All-aluminum auto radiators	Tally	Clean aluminum radiators/condensers under contamination and negotiated deviation limits
Aluminum-copper radiators	Talk	Separate combined-metal category; not an all-aluminum lot

Do not self-upgrade material: a can, casting, wheel or extrusion label does not guarantee a formal trade grade. Alloy, paint, attachments, moisture, oil, mixed metals and preparation can change acceptance.

Aluminum Cans, Sheet, Cast and Extrusion Value

Aluminum cansFood and beverage cans use a separate post-consumer can category and should not be mixed into clean old sheet.

Sheet and sidingClean mixed sheet and painted siding have different inclusion, coating and contamination rules.

Cast aluminumCastings can contain different alloys and must meet attachment, dirt, brass, iron and oil conditions.

Aluminum extrusionNew-production and dealer-grade old extrusions distinguish alloy, paint, thermal break and other contamination.

Enter the buyer rate for the accepted category. Do not apply a primary aluminum commodity quote or one universal recovery percentage to every scrap grade.

Gross Weight, Excluded Weight and Whole-Lot Rates

Excluded weight is a measured amount that does not receive the selected aluminum grade rate. It can include buyer-documented iron, copper, insulation, plastic, rubber, glass, dirt, liquid, packaging or scale tare.

Use excluded weightThe buyer pays the selected grade rate only on measured net aluminum-condition weight.

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

Avoid double deductionsDo not subtract contamination twice when a lower whole-lot rate already accounts for it.

Use recordsScale tickets, recovery statements and buyer inspection are stronger than guessed attachment weight.

Worked Aluminum Scrap Payout Example

Assume a 100-pound aluminum lot with 5 pounds of measured excluded material. Use an illustrative USD 0.75 per payable pound rate, 96% buyer payout and USD 12 total fixed fees:

• Payable aluminum weight = 100 lb − 5 lb = 95 lb
• Gross aluminum grade value = 95 lb × USD 0.75 = USD 71.25
• Buyer offer before fixed fees = USD 71.25 × 96% = USD 68.40
• Estimated net payout = USD 68.40 − USD 12 = USD 56.40
• Net payout per gross pound = approximately USD 0.56
• Net payout per payable pound = approximately USD 0.59
• Minimum payable weight to cover fees = approximately 16.67 lb

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

Price per Pound, Kilogram or Ton

Weight and price units are independent and normalized through kilograms using NIST 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 nonferrous terms treat a ton as 2,000 pounds unless otherwise specified. Confirm the ton type. Ordinary avoirdupois ounces are used, not troy ounces.

Turnings, Wheels, Radiators and Wire

Turnings and boringsFines, iron, oil, moisture, mixed alloys and flammable cutting compounds can affect acceptance or deductions.

Auto and truck wheelsTires, valve stems, wheel weights, steel inserts, plating, oil and mixed alloys can change grade.

RadiatorsAll-aluminum and aluminum-copper radiators are separate categories; use the correct combined-metal or aluminum-only quote.

Wire and cableInsulation, ACSR steel reinforcement and mixed conductors can require recovery-based treatment.

Buyer Payout and Fixed Fees

Buyer payout percentage reduces gross grade value before fixed fees. Keep it at 100% if the entered yard rate is already final. Fixed fields record separately disclosed processing/sorting, transport/pickup and one other transaction charge.

Do not apply a buyer margin twice through both a reduced entered rate and a reduced payout percentage unless the written quote explicitly uses both.

How to Compare Aluminum Scrap Offers

1. Compare the same accepted grade, preparation and alloy basis.
2. Confirm gross weight, tare and payable-weight method.
3. Normalize prices to the same currency and unit.
4. Record moisture, oil, fines, attachment and downgrade terms.
5. List percentage adjustments and fixed charges separately.
6. Compare final net payout per gross and payable kilogram or pound.

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

Safe Aluminum Scrap Handling

Do not cut sealed or pressurized containers, charged systems, energized equipment, airbags or unknown assemblies. Remove liquids only through lawful trained procedures. Do not burn coatings or insulation.

Fine aluminum dust, chips and turnings can create fire or explosion hazards. OSHA identifies material handling, machinery, toxic exposures, combustible dust, fire and explosion risks in scrap recycling. Use appropriate training, housekeeping, equipment, protective measures and legal compliance.

Which Aluminum or Scrap Calculator Should You Use?

Aluminum Scrap ValueUse for one buyer-graded aluminum lot with excluded weight, payout and fixed fees.

Scrap Metal PriceUse for a transaction containing several different metals or grades.

Brass Scrap ValueUse for copper-zinc brass scrap rather than aluminum.

Stainless Steel ScrapThe next page handles 304, 316 and mixed stainless grades.

Related Aluminum, Copper and Scrap Calculators

Scrap Metal Price CalculatorBrass Scrap Value CalculatorScrap Copper Value CalculatorCopper Wire Scrap CalculatorCopper Cable Recovery CalculatorCopper Pipe Scrap CalculatorStainless Steel Scrap CalculatorLead Scrap Value CalculatorAll Metals Calculators

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I calculate aluminum scrap value?

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

Does the calculator provide today's aluminum scrap price?

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

Are aluminum cans priced the same as sheet aluminum?

Not necessarily. ReMA lists post-consumer cans and clean mixed old alloy sheet as separate categories with different inclusions and contamination rules.

What is clean mixed old alloy sheet aluminum?

It is a trade description for clean old alloy sheet of multiple alloys under stated exclusions. Cans, foil, castings, wire, plastic, dirt and several other materials are not treated as the same grade.

Are cast aluminum and aluminum extrusions the same grade?

No. Castings and extrusions have different manufacturing forms, alloy mixes and buyer specifications. Use the grade and rate confirmed by the buyer.

How do attachments affect aluminum scrap payout?

Measured non-payable attachments may be entered as excluded weight. If a direct whole-lot rate already accounts for them, keep excluded weight at zero to avoid double deduction.

How should aluminum turnings be valued?

Use the buyer's turning grade, analysis and deduction basis. Fines, iron, oil, moisture, mixed alloys and unsafe cutting compounds can affect acceptance.

Can weight be in pounds and price per kilogram?

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

Should I use primary aluminum market price for scrap?

No universal conversion applies. Scrap value depends on grade, alloy, contamination, preparation, recovery, quantity, location and buyer terms. Use a matching scrap quote.

Is the estimated aluminum scrap payout guaranteed?

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

Official Reference Sources

• ReMA ISRI Specifications (January 2026) – aluminum scrap descriptions
• ReMA ISRI Specifications – current aluminum category index
• ReMA – guidelines for metals transactions
• NIST Handbook 44 (2026), Appendix C – mass conversion tables
• OSHA – metal scrap recycling hazard guidance
• OSHA – combustible dust guidance

Disclaimer: This calculator and guide provide general educational estimates, not a live aluminum 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.