316 Stainless Steel Price Today: $0.720/lb

Current US scrapyard prices for 316 Stainless Steel average $0.720/lb, typically trading between $0.360 and $1.00/lb across 3 reporting facilities. Review physical grading criteria, preparation tips to prevent scale downgrades, and regional price spreads nationwide.

National average Updated: Oct 12, 2026 · Based on 3 reporting scrapyards
National scale average · USA
$0.720/lb
Typical Scale Range: $0.360 – $1.00/lb Metric: $1.59/kg
7-Day Trend: ▲ +122.2%
% of Spot (LME Nickel): 10.2%
Reporting Yards: 3
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What counts as 316 Stainless Steel

316 stainless contains molybdenum and is used in marine, chemical, and food-processing equipment. It is the premium everyday stainless solid.

Estimate your scale payout

Calculate the estimated cash payout for your 316 Stainless Steel based on current low, average, and high scrapyard scale rates.

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316 Stainless Steel Price Trend (12 Months)

12-month historical price chart showing seasonal peaks, scale price momentum, and wholesale exchange benchmark spreads (LME Nickel) for 316 Stainless Steel.

US Scrapyard Average LME Nickel
2025-11-07 · avg $0.740 · $0.740–$0.740 · 1 sources · spot $6.78 · 10.9% of spot2025-11-11 · avg $0.585 · $0.500–$0.670 · 1 sources · spot $6.77 · 8.6% of spot2025-11-21 · avg $0.720 · $0.720–$0.720 · 1 sources · spot $6.50 · 11.1% of spot2025-12-02 · avg $0.700 · $0.700–$0.700 · 1 sources · spot $6.67 · 10.5% of spot2025-12-05 · avg $0.550 · $0.550–$0.550 · 1 sources · spot $6.73 · 8.2% of spot2025-12-19 · avg $0.600 · $0.600–$0.600 · 1 sources · spot $6.72 · 8.9% of spot2026-02-03 · avg $0.750 · $0.750–$0.750 · 1 sources · spot $7.89 · 9.5% of spot2026-02-17 · avg $0.644 · $0.350–$0.850 · 10 sources · spot $7.73 · 8.3% of spot2026-03-04 · avg $0.568 · $0.500–$0.730 · 4 sources · spot $7.71 · 7.4% of spot2026-03-12 · avg $0.900 · $0.900–$0.900 · 1 sources · spot $7.97 · 11.3% of spot2026-03-22 · avg $0.633 · $0.550–$0.750 · 3 sources · spot $7.69 · 8.2% of spot2026-03-25 · avg $0.670 · $0.670–$0.670 · 1 sources · spot $7.66 · 8.8% of spot2026-03-26 · avg $0.750 · $0.750–$0.750 · 1 sources · spot $7.84 · 9.6% of spot2026-04-15 · avg $0.680 · $0.680–$0.680 · 1 sources · spot $8.20 · 8.3% of spot2026-08-27 · avg $0.800 · $0.800–$0.800 · 1 sources · spot $7.65 · 10.5% of spot2026-08-29 · avg $0.700 · $0.700–$0.700 · 1 sources · spot $7.61 · 9.2% of spot2026-09-03 · avg $0.200 · $0.200–$0.200 · 1 sources · spot $7.64 · 2.6% of spot2026-09-06 · avg $0.500 · $0.500–$0.500 · 1 sources · spot $7.61 · 6.6% of spot2026-09-19 · avg $1.00 · $1.00–$1.00 · 1 sources · spot $7.35 · 13.6% of spot2026-10-05 · avg $0.360 · $0.360–$0.360 · 1 sources · spot $7.08 · 5.1% of spot2026-10-12 · avg $0.800 · $0.800–$0.800 · 1 sources · spot $7.08 · 11.3% of spot$8.20$0.2002025-11-072026-10-12
Hover or tap the chart for date, average, range, and source count.

Hover or tap any date to see the exact yard average, exchange spot price, and scrap payout ratio. Scrapyards pay ~75–85% of spot to cover processing and smelting. Compare all exchange benchmarks →

316 Stainless Steel Prices by State

Compare average 316 Stainless Steel prices across reporting US states to identify regional price spreads and local buyer demand.

State Average Price Typical Range Reporting Yards
Texas $0.680/lb $0.360 – $1.00 2 State Rates →
Arizona $0.800/lb $0.800 – $0.800 1 State Rates →

How to get the best price for 316 Stainless Steel

Follow these scrapyard grading standards and preparation tips to ensure your 316 Stainless Steel meets top-tier scale specifications without deductions.

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Do not mix 304 kitchen equipment into a 316 lot.

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Know where it came from. Marine or chemical origin helps; if in doubt, yards may test it or pay the 304 price.

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Remove carbon-steel flanges and fasteners.

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Keep turnings out of the solids pile.

How it compares with similar grades

It typically pays the most among the stainless solids. A mixed 304 and 316 load is usually paid as 304.

Frequently Asked Questions

Common answers on scrap metal grading standards, scale payout rules, sorting methods, and scale ticket calculations.

What is 316 stainless steel worth per pound today?

316 Stainless Steel averages $0.720/lb nationally as of Oct 12, 2026. That is about 10.2% of the LME Nickel price.

What is the difference between 316 stainless steel and similar grades?

It typically pays the most among the stainless solids. A mixed 304 and 316 load is usually paid as 304.

Why is my scrap yard paying a different price for 316 stainless steel?

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 $0.360 and $1.00 per pound. Call two or three yards and ask what grade they would pay for your 316 stainless steel.

How can I tell 316 from 304?

You cannot reliably tell by eye or with a magnet. Yards use a handheld analyzer to check. If you are not sure what you have, expect to be paid at the 304 price unless the yard verifies it.