Today's Prices — August 01, 2026
| Grade / Type | Price | Trend |
|---|---|---|
| Bare Bright Copper | $3.80–$4.20/lb | ↑ |
| Copper #1 (clean pipe/bus bar) | $3.60–$4.00/lb | ↑ |
| Copper #2 (mixed/dirty) | $3.20–$3.60/lb | ↑ |
| Copper Bus Bar (clean) | $3.65–$4.05/lb | ↑ |
| Insulated Copper Wire (THHN) | $2.40–$3.20/lb | ↑ |
| Insulated Copper Wire (romex) | $1.80–$2.60/lb | → |
| Copper Radiators (clean) | $2.80–$3.40/lb | → |
| Copper Turnings (dry) | $3.20–$3.70/lb | ↑ |
Scrap Copper Grades Explained
Copper scrap is graded by cleanliness and form. The grade determines the price — bare bright copper (the cleanest form) commands the highest price, while insulated wire with heavy plastic jacketing is worth less because of the weight of the insulation.
Bare Bright Copper
Bare bright is uncoated, unalloyed copper wire or cable, free of insulation, solder, and oxidation. It is the highest-grade copper scrap. Sources include stripped electrical wire, bus bars, and copper manufacturing drops.
Copper #1 vs #2
Copper #1 is clean, uncoated copper pipe, bus bar, and heavy wire — no solder, paint, or excessive oxidation. Copper #2 includes slightly oxidized, soldered, or coated copper. The price difference is typically $0.30–$0.50/lb.
Insulated Wire Yield
Insulated wire price depends on the copper yield (percentage of copper by weight). THHN wire is 70–75% copper. Romex is 50–60% copper. We can strip wire on-site for large quantities to maximize your payout.
Related: Bare Bright Copper Guide · Copper Wire Price
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