Stainless Steel Scrap Prices
Scrap stainless steel in Canada is about $1.16/kg ($0.53/lb) on our national index as of November 10, 2026, calculated from the nickel spot price. Yards set their own prices, so call ahead.
Stainless steel pays significantly more than regular steel. Knowing how to spot it — and separate it from look-alikes — gets you the right price.
8.00 g/cm³
LME Ni (alloy)
Sheet, pipe, fittings, sinks
Stainless Steel Grades & Prices
Per kilogram, CADNo specific grades listed.
Click any grade name to see identification tips and what lowers the value.
Where this price comes from
These are index estimates, not quotes from any scrap yard. Yards set their own buying prices, so call ahead.
| Figure | Value | Source | Checked |
|---|---|---|---|
| National stainless steel benchmark | $1.16/kg | Calculated: nickel spot price × a fixed 5.6% ratio | November 10, 2026 |
| Nickel spot price | $20.67/kg | Daily feed from MetalpriceAPI (metalpriceapi.com) | November 10, 2026 |
| Ratio | 5.6% | Set on August 23, 2026 so the index started at $1.20/kg, then held constant. Daily moves are capped at 12%. | August 23, 2026 |
| Grade ranges | per grade | Ranges set by this site, moved each day by the same percentage as the benchmark | November 10, 2026 |
Full method: how we calculate prices. Spot a mistake? Report it.
About Stainless Steel
Stainless steel is an iron-chromium alloy that resists corrosion. Kitchen appliances, sinks, surgical equipment, and cookware are common sources.
Primary use: Kitchen equipment, medical, industrial
Common Sources of Stainless Steel
Stainless steel is found in kitchen sinks, commercial catering equipment, surgical instruments, cookware, exhaust systems, brewery equipment, and food processing machinery.
How to Get More for Your Stainless Steel
Use a magnet: stainless is weakly magnetic or non-magnetic, unlike regular steel. Keeping stainless separate from regular steel or iron is essential to getting the stainless price.
Stainless Steel Prices by City
We have no city-level price source yet, so city pages show this national benchmark together with local selling notes.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I know if my metal is stainless steel?
Stainless steel is usually shiny, does not rust, and is weakly magnetic or non-magnetic. A simple magnet test helps separate it from regular steel.
What are the grades of stainless steel?
The most common scrap grades are 304 (austenitic, non-magnetic) and 316 (higher nickel content, used in marine and chemical applications). 316 typically fetches a premium.
Quick Facts
- Density
- 8.00 g/cm³
- Market Code
- LME Ni (alloy)
- Common Forms
- Sheet, pipe, fittings, sinks
- Primary Use
- Kitchen equipment, medical, industrial