Free Scrap Metal Price Calculator
Estimate mixed scrap value and recycling payout by metal type, buyer grade, gross weight, payable-material percentage and entered price per unit. Combine up to 10 loads and subtract transaction deductions.
Mixed Scrap Metal Value and Payout
Enter the buyer's current grade and rate for each material. Metal names do not insert live prices or automatically choose a grade, recovery or payable percentage.
TRANSACTION PAYOUT
MATERIAL-BY-MATERIAL VALUE
| Metal / grade | Gross weight | Payable weight | Normalized rate / kg | Line value |
|---|
Results use only the weights, payable percentages, rates and deductions entered above.
No live scrap prices or automatic grade assumptions are supplied. Actual scale tickets, inspection, contamination, moisture, attachments, minimum quantity, taxes, local law and buyer terms can change the final settlement.
Reviewed on 15 July 2026 using ReMA scrap specifications guidance, NIST 2026 mass-unit tables and OSHA metal-scrap safety resources.
Scrap metal value is normally based on an agreed material grade, payable weight and price per unit. The highest advertised commodity price is not automatically the price for an unsorted or contaminated load, so this calculator keeps grade, payable percentage, rate unit and deductions visible.
Scrap Metal Value Formulas
The net result is floored at zero. When fixed deductions exceed the percentage-based offer, the calculator reports the uncovered amount instead of displaying a negative payout.
How to Use the Mixed-Metal Calculator
- Separate materials by metal type and the exact grade used in the buyer's quote.
- Enter gross weight and select grams, kilograms, ounces, pounds or the correct ton type.
- Enter the buyer-agreed payable-material percentage after contamination or attachment adjustment.
- Enter that line's quoted price and matching price unit.
- Add up to 10 material lines for different metals, grades, weights or rate units.
- Enter transaction-level settlement percentage and separately disclosed fixed deductions.
- Compare the line table, total line value and estimated net payout.
A line is ignored only when both its weight and price are blank. If one is entered without the other, the form asks for the missing value.
Metal Type and Scrap Grade
The metal menu labels the row; it does not insert a composition, grade or price. Use the buyer's written grade description because copper, aluminium, brass, stainless steel, lead and other materials can each have several commercial grades.
ReMA describes its specifications as internationally recognized guidelines intended to assist buyers and sellers of processed recycled commodities. They cover ferrous and nonferrous materials and are reviewed as markets develop. A trade should still identify the specification edition, permitted attachments, contamination limits, preparation, packaging and any buyer-seller modifications.
Gross Weight vs Payable Weight
Do not use payable material as a laboratory recovery estimate unless the buyer explicitly defines it that way. The later Copper Cable Recovery Calculator models conductor recovery for insulated cable more specifically.
Price per Pound, Kilogram or Ton
Each line can use a different weight unit and price unit. The calculator converts both to kilograms internally, so a load weighed in pounds can still be valued with a price per kilogram or per short ton.
| Unit | Kilograms used | Important distinction |
|---|---|---|
| Gram | 0.001 kg | 1,000 g = 1 kg |
| Regular ounce | 0.028349523125 kg | 16 oz = 1 regular pound |
| Pound | 0.45359237 kg | Regular avoirdupois pound |
| Short ton | 907.18474 kg | 2,000 pounds |
| Metric tonne | 1,000 kg | Approximately 2,204.6 pounds |
| Long ton | 1,016.0469088 kg | 2,240 pounds |
NIST warns that “ton” can mean a 2,000-pound short ton, a 2,240-pound long ton or a 1,000-kilogram metric tonne. Confirm the exact unit on the scale ticket and price sheet.
Worked Mixed Scrap Example
Assume two illustrative USD line quotes:
- 100 kg copper load at 95% payable material and USD 5 per payable kg = USD 475.00
- 200 kg aluminium load at 90% payable material and USD 1.50 per payable kg = USD 270.00
- Total gross line value = USD 745.00
- 98% buyer settlement = USD 730.10 before fixed deductions
- USD 10 processing plus USD 20 transport = USD 30 fixed deductions
- Estimated net payout = USD 700.10
The prices, percentages and fees are teaching examples—not live rates or typical dealer terms.
Buyer Settlement and Fixed Deductions
Taxes, withholding, equipment rental, demurrage, container deposits and rejected-load costs are not automatic. Include an applicable fixed amount only when it matches the actual quote and local rules.
How to Compare Scrap Yard Quotes
- Ask for the exact buyer grade and whether the price is gross-weight or payable-weight based.
- Record price currency, unit, timestamp, minimum quantity and payment method.
- Confirm scale unit, tare, moisture treatment and contamination deduction.
- List every percentage adjustment and fixed charge.
- Compare final net payout for the same measured load—not headline price alone.
Keep the scale ticket, grading report and settlement statement. If a load can be downgraded or rejected, confirm who pays return transport and handling.
Sorting Can Change the Quote
Separate clearly different materials before pricing when it can be done safely. Mixed ferrous and nonferrous metal, insulated wire, plated material, attached hardware and sealed units may receive a different grade from clean, prepared scrap.
Do not cut, burn, drain, dismantle or chemically test unknown material merely to improve a calculator input. OSHA identifies hazards in metal scrap recycling including machinery, manual handling, toxic-metal exposure, combustible dust, fire and explosion. Use trained personnel, suitable equipment and applicable safety procedures.
Scrap Metal Calculator vs Dedicated Tools
Related Copper and Scrap Calculators
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I calculate scrap metal value?
Does the calculator provide today's scrap metal prices?
Can I calculate several metals together?
What does payable material percentage mean?
What is the difference between payable percentage and buyer settlement percentage?
Can weight be entered in pounds and price per kilogram?
Which ton should I select?
Does selecting a metal automatically choose its grade?
Why can sorted scrap receive a different price?
Is the estimated scrap payout guaranteed?
Official Reference Sources
Disclaimer: This calculator and guide provide general educational estimates, not a live market quote, certified scale ticket, grade determination, assay, guaranteed buyer offer, safety instruction, tax advice or legal advice. Verify material, grade, net weight, unit, price, deductions, taxes, safety requirements and buyer terms independently.