How Much is 1 Kilogram of Copper Worth?

Copper, a reddish-brown metal, holds importance across numerous industries worldwide. Its exceptional conductivity of both heat and electricity makes it an essential material in modern infrastructure and technology. The value of this versatile metal changes due to market forces. Understanding copper’s price influences provides insight into its economic role.

Current Copper Market Value

Global commodity exchanges, primarily the London Metal Exchange (LME) and COMEX, determine the market price for refined copper. They provide a benchmark price for large-scale transactions of pure copper. As of early August 2025, the price for refined copper has been observed in a range of approximately $9.50 to $9.70 USD per kilogram. This translates to about $4.30 to $4.40 USD per pound.

This figure represents a fluctuating commodity price, not a fixed retail price for consumers or a guaranteed value for scrap metal. The market price reflects the cost of high-purity copper cathodes or wire rod, standard forms traded internationally. Prices on these exchanges are updated continuously throughout trading hours.

Influences on Copper Pricing

Copper prices are highly sensitive to the overall health of the global economy. This is largely because copper is extensively used in nearly every sector of economic activity, from power generation to construction and electronics manufacturing. A robust global economy increases demand, pushing prices upward, while economic slowdowns have the opposite effect.

Supply and demand dynamics play a central role in price determination. On the supply side, mining output, affected by disruptions like labor strikes or natural disasters, directly influences global copper availability. Recycling rates also contribute significantly to the overall supply, as copper has an infinite recyclable life. Geopolitical stability in major mining regions can also impact supply chains and market sentiment.

Industrial consumption across various sectors drives copper demand. Growing industries like construction, electronics, renewable energy technologies, and electric vehicles all contribute to increasing copper demand. Beyond supply and demand factors, monetary policies and interest rates, particularly from major global economies, can affect financing costs for mining operations and influence production costs. The strength of the U.S. dollar also plays a role, as copper is typically priced in dollars, making it more or less expensive for buyers using other currencies.

Copper Forms and Their Respective Values

Copper’s value varies significantly depending on its form, purity, and condition. Refined copper products, such as new electrical wire, tubing, or sheets, command prices closer to commodity exchange rates due to their high purity and lack of contaminants. These products are ready for immediate industrial use without extensive processing.

In contrast, scrap copper’s value is generally lower than refined products, as it requires additional processing and purification before reuse. Scrap copper is categorized into different grades; “bare bright” copper is the most valuable. Bare bright copper consists of clean, unalloyed, uncoated wire, free from insulation or other contaminants, often sourced from electrical wiring.

Following bare bright, “#1 copper” is a high-value grade, including clean copper tubing, clippings, or heavy-gauge wire that is unalloyed and uncoated, though it may have minor oxidation. “#2 copper” is a less pure grade that might include unalloyed wire, pipe, or solid metal with contamination like solder, paint, or other coatings. Insulated copper wire, categorized by its gauge and recoverable copper after stripping insulation, represents another common scrap form, generally fetching lower prices due to processing effort.

Accessing Real-Time Copper Prices

Individuals and businesses seeking current copper prices have several reliable avenues. Commodity exchange websites, such as the London Metal Exchange (LME) or COMEX, offer real-time data for refined copper’s benchmark prices. While these sites often require a subscription for detailed live feeds, they typically provide delayed or end-of-day prices freely.

For scrap copper values, local scrap metal dealer websites or direct contact with facilities are the best sources. Scrap prices are highly localized and can vary between recycling centers based on their processing capabilities, current inventory, and local market demand. Reputable metal supplier websites also provide pricing for new, refined copper products, which may include a small markup from commodity exchange rates. These various sources empower individuals to monitor the dynamic copper market.