• 17 Jul 2025

Complete Guide to Copper Scrap Grades

Copper is one of the most valuable metals in the scrap recycling market, prized for its conductivity, corrosion resistance, and versatility. If you’re sitting on a pile of copper scrap, knowing exactly what type you have can make a big difference in how much you earn. Whether you’re a contractor, DIY renovator, or scrapper, understanding the different grades of copper can help you get top dollar for your materials.

Here’s a breakdown of the most common grades of copper scrap and what you need to know before selling.

1. Bare Bright Copper (Grade 1 Copper)

The most valuable type of copper scrap.

• Description: Pure copper wire stripped of insulation.
• Appearance: Shiny, reddish-orange with no coatings or corrosion.
• Common Sources: Electrical wiring, construction wire, power cables.
• Tips: To qualify as bare bright, copper must be clean, uncoated, and at least 16 gauge.

✅ Highest price paid due to its purity.

2. #1 Copper (Clean Copper)

High-grade copper but not quite as pure as bare bright.

• Description: Clean, unalloyed, and uncoated copper solids.
• Appearance: No insulation, solder, paint, or coatings.
• Common Sources: Plumbing pipes, bus bars, and tubing.
• Difference from Bare Bright: Typically not as shiny or wire-like.

💰 Great value, just below bare bright.

3. #2 Copper (Dirty Copper)

More common, but less valuable due to impurities.

• Description: Copper with minimal contamination – may include solder, paint, or corrosion.
• Appearance: Dull, discolored, or coated.
• Common Sources: Older plumbing, roofing, and industrial scrap.
• Examples: Copper with soldered joints or oxidized wire.

🔧 Still valuable, but prices are lower due to cleaning and refining costs.

4. #3 Copper (Light Copper or Roofing Copper)

Lower grade with coatings or extreme corrosion.

• Description: Thin copper sheets, painted or tarred surfaces.
• Common Sources: Gutters, flashing, old roofing materials.
• Characteristics: Heavily weathered or painted copper.

⚠️ Often priced below #2 copper due to extra processing.

5. Insulated Copper Wire (ICW)

Copper wire with plastic or rubber insulation.

• Description: Copper wires still wrapped in insulation.
• Grades Vary:
  • High-grade: Thick copper inside with minimal insulation.
  • Low-grade: Thin strands with heavy insulation or mixed metals.
• Common Sources: Electronics, power cords, household wiring.

🔌 Price depends on copper recovery ratio – the more copper per pound, the better the payout.

6. Copper Turnings/Chops

Small shavings or offcuts from machining.

• Description: Fine bits of copper from industrial processes.
• Challenges: Often mixed with cutting oils or debris.
• Common Sources: Machine shops, manufacturing plants.

🛠️ Lower grade due to contamination, but still recyclable.

Tips for Selling Copper Scrap

• Sort by grade: Mixing grades can lower the overall value.
• Strip wire if possible: Especially for thick-gauge wire – turning ICW into bare bright can significantly boost value.
• Clean your scrap: Removing non-metal attachments, paint, or debris can bump your copper to a higher grade.
• Check market prices: Scrap copper prices fluctuate daily – check your local scrapyard or online before you sell.

Final Thoughts

Knowing what type of copper scrap you have isn’t just useful — it’s profitable. Take the time to sort, clean, and identify your copper, and you could earn considerably more when you sell. Whether it’s shiny bare bright or old insulated wire, there’s value in every form of copper scrap — and knowledge is the key to unlocking it.

Ready to sell your copper scrap? Contact your local scrap metal yard, get it weighed and graded, and make sure you’re getting what your metal is truly worth.