Copper Scrap Price Today
May 2026 — National average across 39+ cities
Check Copper Scrap Rate in Your City
Copper Scrap Price in Top Cities
| City | State | Price/kg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Multan | Punjab | Rs648.31 | View Details → |
| Mirpur Khas | Sindh | Rs643.48 | View Details → |
| Sialkot | Punjab | Rs634.96 | View Details → |
| Islamabad | Islamabad Capital Territory | Rs631.88 | View Details → |
| Gujranwala | Punjab | Rs630.64 | View Details → |
| Wah Cantt | Punjab | Rs628.68 | View Details → |
| Nawabshah | Sindh | Rs627.17 | View Details → |
| Gilgit | Gilgit-Baltistan | Rs627.05 | View Details → |
| Dera Ghazi Khan | Punjab | Rs625.19 | View Details → |
| Karachi | Sindh | Rs623.38 | View Details → |
| Thatta | Sindh | Rs623.11 | View Details → |
| Rawalpindi | Punjab | Rs622.31 | View Details → |
| Chiniot | Punjab | Rs621.47 | View Details → |
| Sahiwal | Punjab | Rs619.92 | View Details → |
| Lahore | Punjab | Rs619.91 | View Details → |
| Kasur | Punjab | Rs619.25 | View Details → |
| Faisalabad | Punjab | Rs618.48 | View Details → |
| Mardan | Khyber Pakhtunkhwa | Rs615.45 | View Details → |
| Bahawalpur | Punjab | Rs614.59 | View Details → |
| Muzaffarabad | Azad Kashmir | Rs610.71 | View Details → |
About Copper Scrap
Grades & Types
Bright Copper, #1 Copper, #2 Copper, Insulated Wire
Common Sources
Electrical wiring, motors, transformers, plumbing pipes, AC units
Selling Tips
Strip insulation from copper wire yourself — bare bright copper commands 30-40% premium over insulated wire.
Understanding Copper Scrap
Copper is the highest-value commonly-traded scrap metal in India after the precious metals. Its scrap rate tracks the global LME copper price almost 1:1 because copper is fully recyclable with virtually no quality loss — refiners pay close to spot LME minus a small processing margin.
Daily copper scrap rates in India typically range ₹650-780 per kg for clean bare bright copper, dropping to ₹500-620 for #2 copper (oxidised, soldered) and ₹350-450 for insulated copper wire (where you pay for the inner copper, not the plastic jacket weight).
Stripping insulation off copper wire yourself before selling is the single biggest value lever in scrap copper. A 1 kg lot of insulated wire might pay ₹400; the same wire stripped to bare bright copper pays ₹650-700. The ~₹250-300 difference per kg makes manual stripping worthwhile for 5+ kg lots.
Copper Scrap Grades & Pricing Tier
Sort your scrap by these grades before selling — premium-tier grades pay 20-40% more per kg than mixed/dirty lots.
| Grade | Composition | Common Uses | Tier |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bare Bright Copper (#1) | 99%+ Cu, clean, uncoated | Stripped house wire, bus bars, clean turnings | Premium |
| #1 Copper | 99%+ Cu, may be slightly oxidised | Clean copper pipes, flashings, cooking utensils | High |
| #2 Copper | 95-99% Cu, soldered or oxidised | Plumbing pipes with brass fittings, mixed copper | Mid |
| Copper Tubing (Heavy) | ~99% Cu | AC condenser coils, refrigeration tubing | High |
| Insulated Copper Wire | 40-80% Cu by weight | House wiring, extension cords, electrical cable | Mid |
| Copper-Bearing (Motors, Transformers) | 15-50% Cu, embedded | Old motors, transformers, alternators | Low |
| Mixed / Dirty Copper | Variable | Lots with brass, steel, paint, lead solder | Low |
Where Copper Scrap Comes From
- Electrical wiring — house wiring (after building demolition or major renovation), extension cords, single-phase service cable, panel-board wires. Largest source for most casual sellers.
- Plumbing — copper water pipes (more common in commercial buildings and older houses), AC drain lines, gas and refrigerant tubing.
- Air conditioners & refrigerators — copper condenser coils, capillary tubes, evaporator coils. A single window AC unit yields 1-3 kg of clean #1 copper.
- Motors & transformers — fan motors, AC compressors (cut open), old transformers, alternators. The copper is wound inside; pays as "copper-bearing" unless extracted.
- Industrial & commercial — bus bars, electrical panel components, copper sheet, telecom cable, brewery/distillery vessels, copper kitchenware.
How to Get the Best Copper Scrap Rate
- Strip insulation from copper wire before selling — bare bright copper pays 30-40% more per kg than insulated wire. Use a wire stripper for thin wires; a utility knife works for thick service cable.
- Sort by grade — keep #1 and #2 copper in separate bags. Mixing them gets you the lower #2 rate for the entire lot.
- Remove soldered joints from copper pipes. Pipes with brass/steel fittings still attached are "#2"; remove them and the same pipes become "#1" copper, paying 15-25% more.
- Don't torch-burn insulation off wire — it produces toxic fumes and the resulting copper turns "burnt copper" which trades 5-10% below bare bright. Mechanical stripping is healthier and pays better.
- For motors and transformers, ask if the dealer accepts "copper-bearing" units whole, or if they want only the extracted windings. Both options exist; the breakdown rate vs effort varies dealer to dealer.
- Track LME copper price — daily moves of 2-3% on the international market translate directly to scrap rates within 24 hours. If LME copper jumped overnight, wait for the dealer rate to catch up before selling.
- For 50+ kg lots, multiple quotes are essential. Copper trade margins are tight (1-3%), so a single dealer's quote can be 4-6% below market on a slow day.
- Copper turnings (machining swarf) sell at 60-70% of #1 copper rate because of size and contamination; collect in a clean covered drum.
Copper Scrap FAQs
What is today's copper scrap rate in India?
Bare bright copper typically trades ₹650-780 per kg in India, tracking the LME copper price closely. Lower grades (#2, insulated wire) pay ₹500-620 and ₹350-450 respectively. Check our city pages for live daily rates.
Why is bare bright copper more valuable than insulated wire?
Insulated wire is sold by total weight (copper + plastic), but only the copper inside has scrap value. The plastic is essentially weight you're paying the dealer to dispose of. Stripping insulation gets you 100% of the copper value.
Should I burn insulation off copper wire?
No. Burning produces toxic fumes (chlorinated dioxins from PVC) and discolours the copper to "burnt copper" grade, which pays 5-10% less than bare bright. Mechanical stripping is healthier, legal, and pays better.
#1 vs #2 copper — what's the difference?
#1 copper is clean, uncoated, unsoldered copper (99%+ pure) — typically copper pipes, clean wires, sheet copper. #2 copper has minor contamination: oxidation, solder joints, brass fittings still attached, slight paint. The price gap is 15-25%.
How much copper is in a typical AC unit?
A 1-1.5 ton split AC contains roughly 1-3 kg of copper (condenser coil + capillary + connection lines). Window units have similar amounts. The compressor adds another 0.5-1 kg of copper if cut open. Industrial AC units have proportionally more.
Is "copper-bearing" the same as scrap copper?
No. Copper-bearing items (motors, transformers, alternators) contain copper windings inside but mixed with iron/steel cores. They sell at 30-50% of pure copper rate. Extracting the copper yourself (cutting open the motor) bumps the value but takes labour.
How long does dealer payment take for large copper lots?
Most established dealers pay on-the-spot for under ₹50,000. For 50+ kg lots that exceed cash limits, expect bank transfer within 24-48 hours. Always get a written weight slip and rate confirmation before leaving the lot.
Can I sell copper that came from old electrical work?
Yes — copper wire and pipe from your own building/property is fully legal to sell as scrap. Dealers buying from individuals don't require special documentation for under 100 kg lots. Larger commercial sources may need to show the project source.