#2 Copper Price Today: $4.79/lb
Current US scrapyard prices for #2 Copper average $4.79/lb, typically trading between $4.37 and $5.20/lb across 47 reporting facilities. Review physical grading criteria, preparation tips to prevent scale downgrades, and regional price spreads nationwide.
What counts as #2 Copper
#2 copper is copper with some contamination: pipe with soldered fittings, painted or plated pieces, thin sheet, and mixed solids. The mill has more work to do, so it pays less than #1 or bare bright.
Estimate your scale payout
Calculate the estimated cash payout for your #2 Copper based on current low, average, and high scrapyard scale rates.
#2 Copper Price Trend (12 Months)
12-month historical price chart showing seasonal peaks, scale price momentum, and wholesale exchange benchmark spreads (COMEX Copper (HG)) for #2 Copper.
#2 Copper Prices by State
Compare average #2 Copper prices across reporting US states to identify regional price spreads and local buyer demand.
| State | Average Price | Typical Range | Reporting Yards | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| New York | $4.57/lb | $4.22 – $5.60 | 9 | State Rates → |
| Texas | $5.14/lb | $4.70 – $5.39 | 5 | State Rates → |
| Pennsylvania | $4.86/lb | $4.40 – $5.10 | 4 | State Rates → |
| Tennessee | $5.08/lb | $4.00 – $5.58 | 4 | State Rates → |
| West Virginia | $4.27/lb | $3.75 – $5.10 | 4 | State Rates → |
| Florida | $4.68/lb | $4.00 – $5.20 | 3 | State Rates → |
| Georgia | $4.40/lb | $3.25 – $4.90 | 3 | State Rates → |
| New Jersey | $5.17/lb | $5.10 – $5.25 | 3 | State Rates → |
| Connecticut | $4.55/lb | $4.50 – $4.60 | 2 | State Rates → |
| Illinois | $4.87/lb | $4.04 – $5.20 | 2 | State Rates → |
| Kentucky | $4.05/lb | $4.00 – $4.85 | 2 | State Rates → |
| Arizona | $4.70/lb | $4.50 – $4.90 | 1 | State Rates → |
| Kansas | $4.70/lb | $4.70 – $4.70 | 1 | State Rates → |
| Massachusetts | $4.93/lb | $4.80 – $5.05 | 1 | State Rates → |
| Missouri | $5.00/lb | $5.00 – $5.00 | 1 | State Rates → |
| Ohio | $4.94/lb | $4.70 – $5.15 | 1 | State Rates → |
| Oklahoma | $5.29/lb | $5.13 – $5.44 | 1 | State Rates → |
How to get the best price for #2 Copper
Follow these scrapyard grading standards and preparation tips to ensure your #2 Copper meets top-tier scale specifications without deductions.
Pull off steel, plastic, and heavy brass when it is quick to do.
Keep it dry. Muddy or wet copper is often downgraded further.
Do not hide insulated wire in the #2 pile. It will be regraded.
Thin sheet copper may be priced separately from heavy #2 at some yards.
How it compares with similar grades
It is the lowest-paying of the three solid copper grades. Cleaning a load up to #1 can be worth the effort when the gap between the two is wide.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common answers on scrap metal grading standards, scale payout rules, sorting methods, and scale ticket calculations.
What is #2 copper worth per pound today?
#2 Copper averages $4.79/lb nationally as of Oct 12, 2026. That is about 71.4% of the COMEX Copper (HG) price.
What is the difference between #2 copper and similar grades?
It is the lowest-paying of the three solid copper grades. Cleaning a load up to #1 can be worth the effort when the gap between the two is wide.
Why is my scrap yard paying a different price for #2 copper?
The figure here is a national average of prices posted by US scrap yards. Each yard sets its own price based on nearby mill demand, freight, how much you bring, and how it grades your load. Most reports fall between $4.37 and $5.20 per pound. Call two or three yards and ask what grade they would pay for your #2 copper.
Can I upgrade #2 copper to #1?
Sometimes. Cut off soldered joints, scrape or cut away paint and corrosion, and remove brass or steel fittings. Whether it pays depends on the price gap between #1 and #2 and how long the work takes. Check the table on the copper page first.