26 October 2026. ScrapTrade's scrap price calculator lets a seller or buyer turn a material, a grade and a weight into an indicative value in one of 20 currencies. It covers 24 material and grade entries across ferrous metals, non-ferrous metals, plastics, paper and e-waste, accepts weight in kilograms, tonnes or pounds, and offers 10 country settings. ScrapTrade says the underlying prices are generated by AI and refreshed at least once a day. They are indicative estimates, not quotes, and the platform's own page tells users to confirm a price with a buyer or seller before trading.
This article explains what the calculator does, how a conversion works with a worked example, and where its limits are. It is a company announcement by ScrapTrade about its own tool, so read it as the operator's description.
What the calculator offers
| Feature | What it does |
|---|---|
| Material and grade | Choose a scrap type, then a grade within it, such as HMS 1 steel, Copper 1 or aluminium extrusion |
| Weight units | Enter the quantity in kilograms, tonnes or pounds and switch units without re-entering |
| Currencies | 20 currencies: AUD, USD, GBP, INR, CNY, AED, SGD, CAD, ZAR, MYR, EUR, JPY, KRW, IDR, THB, MXN, BRL, ARS, NZD and HKD |
| Country setting | 10 countries can be selected: Australia, the United States, the United Kingdom, India, China, the UAE, Singapore, Canada, South Africa and Malaysia |
| Output | A unit price per kilogram, tonne or pound and an estimated value for the quantity entered |
| Price index | A browsable list of current indicative prices by category: ferrous, non-ferrous, plastic, paper and e-waste |
| Daily refresh | Prices are described as AI-generated and refreshed at least once a day |
The tool sits alongside the ScrapTrade Price Index at scrap.trade/market-prices, and from a price you can go straight to listings for the same material on the marketplace.
A worked example
The platform's index listed HMS 1 (clean heavy melting steel) at A$0.3985 a kilogram on 26 October 2026, which is A$398.50 a tonne. The calculator converts using exchange rates that ScrapTrade's site serves from its own rates feed, with the US dollar as the base. At the rates on that day, one tonne of HMS 1 converts as follows.
| Currency | One tonne of HMS 1 |
|---|---|
| Australian dollar | A$398.50 |
| US dollar | US$280 |
| British pound | £209 |
| Euro | €250 |
| UAE dirham | AED 1,028 |
| Chinese yuan | CNY 1,873 |
| Indian rupee | INR 26,603 |
The same arithmetic applies to any material. A tonne of copper bare bright wire, indicated at A$11,669, converts to about US$8,200, and a tonne of aluminium extrusion, indicated at A$2,633, to about US$1,850. Exchange rates move daily, so the conversions above are a snapshot, not a rate to rely on.
Why a calculator matters before you list
Pricing is where most first-time sellers go wrong. A price that is too low gives away margin, and one that is too high gets no response. A reference figure in your own currency and unit gives you something to test an offer against. It also helps buyers sanity-check a seller's ask across borders, where the same tonne might be quoted in dollars, pounds or rupees. For how prices behave, see how scrap metal pricing works.
What the calculator is not
ScrapTrade states the limits plainly, and they matter:
- It is indicative. The page says prices are estimates and that actual yard prices vary by location, grade, condition and quantity.
- It is not a guarantee. ScrapTrade says it does not guarantee the accuracy of the prices and that users should confirm directly with buyers or sellers before transacting.
- It is AI-generated. The prices are produced by a model and refreshed daily, not taken from a single published exchange quote, so they can change between visits.
- It does not replace grading. A load is priced by what is actually in it. See how to grade scrap metal.
How to use it
- Open the calculator and pick your scrap type and grade.
- Choose your currency, unit and country, then enter the quantity.
- Note the unit price and the estimated value.
- Check your material against the grade description, and adjust for condition.
- List it on the marketplace, or post what you want to buy on the buyer requests page.
Frequently asked questions
What does the ScrapTrade scrap calculator do?
It estimates the value of a quantity of scrap by material and grade, in a chosen currency, unit and country setting, using ScrapTrade's indicative price index.
Which currencies does it support?
Twenty: AUD, USD, GBP, INR, CNY, AED, SGD, CAD, ZAR, MYR, EUR, JPY, KRW, IDR, THB, MXN, BRL, ARS, NZD and HKD.
Are the prices live market prices?
No. They are AI-generated indicative estimates refreshed at least daily, and ScrapTrade says they are not guaranteed.
Can I use it for tonnes and pounds?
Yes. You can enter weight in kilograms, tonnes or pounds.
Is it free?
The calculator is available on the public price page without an account.
Where do I get a firm price?
From a buyer or seller. List the material on the marketplace or post a request, and compare offers.
This is a company announcement published by ScrapTrade on 26 October 2026 about its own tool. Exchange rates and prices are as shown on the platform that day and change daily. It is general information, not financial or trading advice.