Canadian Scrap Copper Grading Guide
Key Takeaway
Copper grades directly affect your payout. Learn the difference between bare bright, No.1, No.2, and insulated wire.
Copper is priced by grade, and the difference between grades can be substantial. Here's how to understand what you have.
Bare Bright Copper
The top grade. Clean, uncoated, unalloyed copper wire at least 1.5mm in diameter. No insulation, no tinning, no solder. Freshly stripped electrical wire from large-gauge installations qualifies. This grade commands the highest price.
No.1 Copper
Clean, uncoated copper pipe and wire that may have slight oxidation but no paint, heavy coatings, or solder. Plumbing pipe in good condition is typically No.1. Copper sheet and bus bar also often grades as No.1.
No.2 Copper
Copper with solder, paint, light alloy, or oxidation. Plumbing pipe with soldered joints, painted copper, old radiator fins. Most mixed copper items fall here. Still valuable — just not as valuable as No.1.
Insulated Copper Wire
Wire still inside plastic or rubber insulation. Price depends on the copper recovery percentage. House wiring (Romex) is typically 60-70% copper by weight. Thin telephone or data cable may only be 20-30% copper, so it pays much less.
Copper Tanks and Cylinders
Old hot water cylinders and tanks are usually unalloyed copper and grade at No.1 or No.2 depending on condition.
Estimate your haul value before heading to the yard.
Hours, materials, and payment info for yards near you.
More Seller Guides
Selling Catalytic Converters in Canada: Prices, ID, and What to Know
Catalytic converters contain platinum, palladium, and rhodium — and are among the most valuable scrap items. They're also among the most regulated.
Scrapping Steel and Iron in Canada: What You Need to Know
Steel and iron are the lowest-priced scrap metals, but they're always in demand. Here's how to get the best return on ferrous metal.
Brass, Bronze, and Copper: Know the Difference at the Scrap Yard
These three metals look similar but pay very different prices. Knowing which is which puts more money in your pocket.