Bare bright copper wire pays more per pound than copper pipe. See the full grade comparison, current prices, and how to maximize your copper scrap payout.
📞 Call (754) 310-2984 ⚡ Price CalculatorNot all copper is worth the same. Bare bright copper wire — clean, uncoated, unalloyed — is the highest grade and pays the most. Copper pipe, fittings, and sheet fall into lower grades depending on condition and alloy content. Here's exactly what each grade pays and why.
| Metal / Grade | Current Buy Price | Description | Identification Tips |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bare Bright Wire | $3.90–$4.20/lb | Clean, uncoated, unalloyed wire only | Highest grade — no insulation, no solder |
| #1 Copper Wire | $3.55–$3.95/lb | Clean unalloyed wire, no insulation | Slightly lower than bare bright |
| #1 Copper Pipe/Tubing | $3.55–$3.90/lb | Clean unalloyed copper pipe | Same tier as #1 wire |
| #2 Copper | $3.10–$3.50/lb | Slightly oxidized, soldered, or mixed | Common grade for most pipe |
| Light Copper | $2.80–$3.20/lb | Thin sheet, dirty, or mixed copper | Lowest solid copper grade |
| #1 Insulated Wire | $1.40–$1.75/lb | Copper wire with insulation intact | Price based on copper recovery % |
| Romex/NM Wire | $0.85–$1.10/lb | Household wiring with jacket | Lower recovery rate |
Yes — significantly. Stripping insulated wire to bare copper can increase its value by 2–3x. However, it's only worth doing if your labor cost is less than the price difference. For large volumes, stripping machines make this economical. For small volumes, it depends on the wire gauge and insulation type.
Bare bright must be clean, uncoated, unalloyed copper wire, free of insulation, solder, paint, and oxidation. #1 copper allows for slightly more variation — it can include clean pipe and tubing, not just wire. Both are top grades, but bare bright is the strictest.
Generally yes — clean copper fittings are priced the same as #1 or #2 copper pipe. The key is condition: fittings with solder, paint, or heavy oxidation drop to #2 or light copper grade.
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