Free Copper Price per Kg Calculator
Enter copper price per kilogram and weight in kilograms, pounds, grams, ounces or tons. Estimate payable copper value, buyer payout, fixed deductions and net value per kg.
Copper Value from Price per Kilogram
Use a current price stated per kilogram. The grade menu labels the estimate only; it does not insert a live rate or decide how much material is payable.
PER-KILOGRAM PAYOUT BREAKDOWN
The entered price per kilogram and buyer terms drive this estimate.
No live copper price, grade decision, assay, recovery rate or guaranteed offer is supplied. Confirm the price basis, payable weight, deductions, taxes and settlement terms with the buyer.
Reviewed on 15 July 2026 using LME copper tonne-quotation conventions, NIST 2026 mass conversions, ReMA scrap specifications and OSHA scrap-metal safety guidance.
This calculator values copper from a price entered per kilogram. It converts any selected lot-weight unit to kilograms, applies a documented payable-material percentage and then estimates buyer payout and unit-rate equivalents.
Copper Price per Kg Formulas
The result cannot fall below zero. This is transaction math using an entered rate—not a live copper-price feed, commodity forecast or automatic scrap-grade quote.
How to Use the Copper Price per Kg Calculator
- Select the copper grade or material label on the buyer quote.
- Enter the lot weight and choose kilograms, grams, pounds, regular ounces or the correct ton type.
- Enter the documented percentage of gross weight that receives the copper rate.
- Enter the current price specifically stated per kilogram and select its currency code.
- Keep buyer payout at 100% when the per-kg rate is already final.
- Add only separately disclosed processing, transport and other fixed deductions.
- Review payable kilograms, unit-rate conversions, gross value and estimated net payout.
Price per Kilogram Is Not a Live Copper Quote
The calculator never supplies today's copper price. The London Metal Exchange lists its Grade A copper contract in U.S. dollars per tonne. Dividing a compatible per-tonne amount by 1,000 produces a mathematical per-kilogram equivalent, but an exchange benchmark is not automatically a local scrap-yard price.
Kilogram, Pound, Ounce and Ton Conversions
| Weight unit | Equivalent kilograms used | Important distinction |
|---|---|---|
| 1 gram | 0.001 kg | 1,000 grams = 1 kg |
| 1 kilogram | 1 kg | Approximately 2.204622622 lb |
| 1 regular ounce | 0.028349523125 kg | Avoirdupois ounce, not troy ounce |
| 1 pound | Exactly 0.45359237 kg | 16 regular ounces = 1 lb |
| 1 short ton | 907.18474 kg | Exactly 2,000 lb |
| 1 metric tonne | Exactly 1,000 kg | Approximately 2,204.622622 lb |
| 1 long ton | 1,016.0469088 kg | Exactly 2,240 lb |
“Ton” alone is ambiguous. Select short ton, metric tonne or long ton according to the written weight record. Copper uses ordinary avoirdupois pounds and ounces here—not troy weight used for precious metals.
Payable Copper Weight Percentage
Payable material percentage is the share of gross lot weight that receives the entered price per kg. It may represent a documented recovery, yield or payable-weight factor.
For insulated wire or cable, use the dedicated wire and cable recovery calculators when you need to model copper content from insulation and other components.
Worked Copper Price per Kg Example
Assume 100 gross kilograms, 90% payable material, an illustrative USD 8.80 per kg, 98% buyer payout and a USD 20 processing fee:
- Payable weight = 100 kg × 90% = 90 kg
- Gross copper value = 90 kg × USD 8.80 = USD 792.00
- Buyer offer before fixed fees = USD 792.00 × 98% = USD 776.16
- Estimated net payout = USD 776.16 − USD 20.00 = USD 756.16
- Net payout per gross kilogram = USD 7.56
- Net payout per payable kilogram = approximately USD 8.40
- Minimum payable weight to cover the fee = approximately 2.32 kg
The price and terms are examples only. Enter your own current quote.
Understanding the Converted Price Results
If the entered rate is USD 8.80 per kg, the mathematically equivalent rates are about USD 3.99 per pound, USD 0.0088 per gram and USD 8,800 per metric tonne. These conversions do not change grade, currency or commercial terms.
- Price per pound = price per kg × 0.45359237
- Price per gram = price per kg ÷ 1,000
- Price per regular ounce = price per kg × 0.028349523125
- Price per short ton = price per kg × 907.18474
- Price per metric tonne = price per kg × 1,000
Use the Copper Price per Pound Calculator when the original quote is per pound. Converting a quote is different from entering a different unit by mistake.
Copper Grade and Buyer Price
The grade selector is a label only. ReMA trade specifications describe copper scrap grades and permitted or excluded material, but the buyer decides whether the delivered lot meets the quoted specification.
- Bare bright, No. 1 and No. 2 copper can carry different buyer rates.
- Pipe, tubing, wire, turnings and copper-bearing assemblies require material-specific inspection.
- Insulation, solder, tinning, corrosion, oil, moisture, iron, brass and other attachments can affect acceptance.
- Quantity thresholds and preparation requirements can change the offered price per kg.
Do not select a higher grade from appearance alone. Use the exact buyer description, inspection result and written price.
Buyer Payout Percentage and Fixed Fees
Buyer payout percentage reduces gross calculated value before fixed fees. If the price per kg already represents the final payable yard rate, keep buyer payout at 100% to avoid counting the same margin twice.
The minimum payable weight covers only entered fixed deductions at the entered rate and payout percentage. It is not a profit threshold because it excludes labor, fuel, storage, equipment and taxes unless entered as a fee.
How to Compare Per-Kg Copper Offers
- Confirm that every quote uses the same grade and preparation condition.
- Convert all offers to the same currency and price unit.
- Use the same gross and payable weight basis.
- Record percentage deductions and fixed fees separately.
- Compare final payout per gross kg and per payable kg.
- Keep the scale ticket and final settlement statement.
Safe Copper Scrap Handling
Do not burn insulation or coatings, cut energized cable, open sealed equipment, drain unknown fluids, or process pressurized items. OSHA identifies scrap-metal recycling hazards involving machinery, manual handling, toxic metals, combustible dust, fire and explosion. Follow applicable training, equipment and legal requirements.
Which Copper Calculator Should You Use?
Related Copper and Scrap Calculators
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I calculate copper value from price per kg?
Does this calculator show today's copper price per kg?
How many pounds are in one kilogram?
How do I convert copper price per kg to price per pound?
How do I convert a copper price per tonne to per kg?
What does payable copper weight mean?
Does selecting a copper grade change the price?
What is the difference between short ton, metric tonne and long ton?
Why can the net value per kg be below the entered price?
Is the estimated copper payout guaranteed?
Official Reference Sources
- London Metal Exchange – LME copper contract and per-tonne quotation convention
- Recycled Materials Association – scrap specification names and updates
- Recycled Materials Association – specifications circular overview
- NIST Handbook 44 (2026), Appendix B – pound and kilogram relationship
- 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, payable weight, unit, price, deductions, taxes, safety requirements and buyer terms independently.