Aluminum Cans Price Today: $0.713/lb
Current US scrapyard prices for Aluminum Cans average $0.713/lb, typically trading between $0.600 and $0.834/lb across 13 reporting facilities. Review physical grading criteria, preparation tips to prevent scale downgrades, and regional price spreads nationwide.
What counts as Aluminum Cans
Used beverage cans (UBC) are one of the most commonly sold aluminum grades. Yards pay the most for cans that are dry and free of steel cans, trash, and liquid.
Estimate your scale payout
Calculate the estimated cash payout for your Aluminum Cans based on current low, average, and high scrapyard scale rates.
Aluminum Cans Price Trend (12 Months)
12-month historical price chart showing seasonal peaks, scale price momentum, and wholesale exchange benchmark spreads (LME Aluminum) for Aluminum Cans.
Aluminum Cans Prices by State
Compare average Aluminum Cans prices across reporting US states to identify regional price spreads and local buyer demand.
| State | Average Price | Typical Range | Reporting Yards | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tennessee | $0.600/lb | $0.500 – $0.750 | 4 | State Rates → |
| Pennsylvania | $0.737/lb | $0.610 – $0.850 | 2 | State Rates → |
| Texas | $0.765/lb | $0.700 – $0.830 | 2 | State Rates → |
| Florida | $0.800/lb | $0.800 – $0.800 | 1 | State Rates → |
| Kentucky | $0.550/lb | $0.550 – $0.550 | 1 | State Rates → |
| Ohio | $0.725/lb | $0.700 – $0.750 | 1 | State Rates → |
| Wisconsin | $0.900/lb | $0.900 – $0.900 | 1 | State Rates → |
How to get the best price for Aluminum Cans
Follow these scrapyard grading standards and preparation tips to ensure your Aluminum Cans meets top-tier scale specifications without deductions.
Empty the cans and let them dry. Scale operators will shake out bags and deduct tare weight for trapped moisture, unrinsed soda, or sand.
Check for steel cans with a magnet. Aluminum is not magnetic.
Keep out plastic bags, cardboard, foil, and pie plates.
Crushing is fine and makes the load easier to haul. Ask your yard if it has a preference.
How it compares with similar grades
Cans usually pay less than clean extrusion and more than painted or mixed sheet. They are the everyday, high-volume aluminum grade.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common answers on scrap metal grading standards, scale payout rules, sorting methods, and scale ticket calculations.
What is aluminum cans worth per pound today?
Aluminum Cans averages $0.713/lb nationally as of Oct 7, 2026. That is about 51.8% of the LME Aluminum price.
What is the difference between aluminum cans and similar grades?
Cans usually pay less than clean extrusion and more than painted or mixed sheet. They are the everyday, high-volume aluminum grade.
Why is my scrap yard paying a different price for aluminum cans?
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 $0.600 and $0.834 per pound. Call two or three yards and ask what grade they would pay for your aluminum cans.
Should I take cans to a scrap yard or a redemption center?
In states with container deposit laws (like California CRV, Michigan, New York), take deposit cans to a redemption center. The 5-to-10 cent per can deposit is worth much more than the scrap value by weight. In non-deposit states, take them to a scrap yard where you are paid by total poundage.
How many aluminum cans make one pound?
It takes approximately 31 to 33 standard empty 12-ounce beverage cans to equal one pound of aluminum. A typical 30-gallon trash bag filled with crushed cans weighs roughly 15 to 20 pounds.