Copper Wire Grades Explained: Bare Bright vs. #1 vs. #2
"How do I know if my copper wire is Bare Bright or #2? The yard keeps downgrading my copper and I'm not sure if they're ripping me off."
Bare Bright (BB): completely clean, shiny, uncoated, 16-gauge or thicker, no solder, no paint. Copper #1: clean but may have light tarnish, small fittings, or be slightly thinner. Copper #2: has insulation, heavy oxidation, solder, paint, or mixed with other metals. The price difference is $0.60–$1.00/lb between BB and #2 — on 100 lbs that's $60–$100.
Copper grading is the single most important thing to understand before you sell copper wire. Getting the grade wrong — or letting a yard downgrade your copper — costs real money. This guide gives you the exact criteria for each grade so you can verify your own material.
Bare Bright Copper — The Highest Grade
Bare Bright is the cleanest, highest-paying grade of copper. Requirements: completely uncoated (no insulation, no paint, no lacquer), unalloyed (no solder, no brass fittings), shiny and clean (minimal oxidation), 16-gauge or thicker wire or solid copper. Current price: $3.80–$4.20/lb. If even one of these conditions isn't met, it drops to #1 or #2.
Copper #1 — Clean but Not Perfect
Copper #1 includes: clean copper pipe (no fittings), clean bus bar, clean copper sheet, clean copper wire that's slightly tarnished or thinner than 16-gauge. No insulation, no solder, no paint. Current price: $3.50–$3.90/lb. The difference from BB is about $0.30–$0.40/lb.
Copper #2 — Mixed or Contaminated
Copper #2 includes: insulated copper wire (romex, THHN, building wire), copper with solder joints, copper with paint or coating, copper pipe with fittings still attached, mixed copper with small amounts of other metals. Current price: $2.80–$3.40/lb. Stripping insulated wire to bare bright adds $0.80–$1.20/lb.
How to Verify Your Grade at the Yard
Before you sell, know your grade. If a yard tries to downgrade your clean, shiny, 12-gauge copper wire to #2, ask them to show you the contamination. You have the right to refuse the sale and take your material elsewhere. Always check the COMEX spot price before you go — a fair yard pays 85–92% of spot for BB copper.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Bare Bright copper worth per pound?
Bare Bright copper is currently $3.80–$4.20/lb. This is the highest grade of copper scrap.
What makes copper drop from Bare Bright to #2?
Any insulation, solder, paint, coating, or contamination drops copper from Bare Bright. Even a single soldered joint on an otherwise clean wire makes it #2.
Is it worth stripping copper wire to get Bare Bright price?
For wire 12-gauge or larger, yes — stripping adds $0.80–$1.20/lb. For thinner wire, the copper content per foot is too low to justify the labor.
How do I know if a yard is ripping me off on copper grades?
Check the COMEX spot price. A fair yard pays 85–92% of spot for BB copper. If they're offering significantly less or downgrading clean copper without explanation, get a second opinion.