Copper Price in Canada Today
Two numbers matter, and they aren't the same: the LME spot price for pure copper, and what a scrap yard actually pays for your used copper. Here's both, in Canadian dollars, per kg and per pound.
Spot price vs. scrap price — the gap explained
When you search "copper price", most results show the LME spot price — the global exchange rate for pure, tonne-lot copper. It's the right number for traders and manufacturers. But if you're selling copper to a yard, it's not what you'll be paid.
A scrap yard buys used copper it has to grade, strip, clean and resell at a margin. So it pays a percentage of spot that depends on the grade: bare bright No.1 wire is closest to spot, while insulated wire, No.2 and tubing pay progressively less. Right now, clean scrap copper is running about 46% of the spot price.
Scrap copper prices by grade
National indicative buying rates. Cleaner, better-sorted copper pays more.
| Material | Per KG | Per Lb |
|---|---|---|
| Bare Bright Copper | $9.16/kg | $4.15/lb |
| No.1 Copper | $8.39/kg | $3.81/lb |
| No.2 Copper | $7.34/kg | $3.33/lb |
| Insulated Copper Wire | $3.58/kg | $1.62/lb |
Scrap copper prices by Canadian city
Local yards pay slightly different rates. See today's copper price where you are.
Copper price in Canada — common questions
What is the copper price in Canada today?
The LME copper spot price is about $18.59/kg ($8.43/lb) in Canadian dollars, updated September 10, 2026. That is the exchange-traded price for pure copper. Scrap yards pay less than this — currently around $8.58/kg for clean copper, because they have to grade, process and resell what they buy.
Why do scrap yards pay less than the copper price?
The 'copper price' you see quoted is the LME spot price for pure, exchange-grade copper delivered in tonne lots. A scrap yard buys mixed, used copper it has to sort, clean, weigh and resell at a margin, so it pays a percentage of spot that varies by grade — bare bright No.1 pays the most, insulated wire the least.
What is the copper price per pound and per kg in Canada?
Spot copper is about $18.59/kg and $8.43/lb. For scrap, expect roughly $8.58/kg / $3.89/lb for clean grades, adjusted by your city and the exact grade.
Is the LME copper price the same across Canada?
The LME spot price is global. What changes locally is the scrap rate — yards in different cities pay slightly different percentages of spot based on competition, transport to processors and demand. Use the city links above to see local scrap copper rates.
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