Average #3 Insulated Wire (Low Grade) Price

Market baseline. Local prices last verified on 2/17/2026.
$1.06/ lb +$0.10 (9.1%)
Use this as a baseline for negotiations. Always call local yards to confirm their rate for your load size.GT = Gross Ton (2240 lbs)
Avg: $1.06
Lowest price ⓘ$1.20
Highest price$1.20Who pays the most? ⟶
How to read scrap yard offers in Washington

Scrap buy price in Washington — $1.20 / lb (single yard offer in our database). Compare with prices across Ukraine below to estimate the real value of this scrap grade.

52-week price range
Over the past year, prices ranged from $1.00 to $3.04.
May '25Aug '25Nov '25Feb '26Today
Market response to COMEX pricing
Current spread vs. exchange (today): ~82.6% (-$5.03 / lb). Typical spread for this grade: 39%–80%
⚠️ Local prices haven't caught up with the exchange yet
Market snapshot
Stable market. Prices have held steady over the past 6 months.
Pricing verified from 1 live board rate in this area.

#3 Insulated Wire (Low Grade) price reference for Washington

Scrap yards in Washington don't always update their prices in real time. To give you a reliable current value, we use the U.S. national average ($0.99 / lb). The secondary metals market tracks exchange moves consistently across the country. Use this national figure as your benchmark when negotiating with local yards. #3 Insulated Wire (Low Grade) prices across the U.S. →

Top Scrap Yards Buying #3 Insulated Wire in Washington

These are scrap yards in Washington that recently updated #3 Insulated Wire (Low Grade) prices in our database. Call them to lock in a quote. If your city isn't listed, use the National Index above as a bargaining reference with your nearest buyer.

💼 Scrap yard owners: Post your buy prices and get more customers
By price
By date
Updated 78 days ago

West Seattle Recycling

Listed as: low grade
3881 16th Ave SW, Seattle, WA 98106 Plan route
$1.20 / lb

Don't see your scrap yard in Washington? List it for free.

Hundreds of sellers in your area search for current scrap prices every day. Post your buy prices and start getting calls.

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Compare #3 Insulated Wire vs. Other Cable Grades

See the exact price difference between #3 Insulated Wire (Low Grade) and similar grades like THHN Wire or #1 Insulated Wire. Compare the current rates per pound below to ensure you get the maximum payout for your sorted scrap.

Current price #3 Insulated Wire (Low Grade)
#3 Insulated Wire (Low Grade) Based on 1 scrap yard
Avg price:$1.06 / lb
Trend for 30 days: 0.0%
Sort separately
THHN Wire Estimated U.S. prices
Avg price:$3.24 / lb
Mix it with #3 Insulated Wire (Low Grade)?They'll pay $1.06 for all of it
Loss if not sorted:-$2.18 / lb
Trend for 30 days: +4.0%
Price analytics
Sort separately
#1 Insulated Wire Estimated U.S. prices
Avg price:$2.93 / lb
Mix it with #3 Insulated Wire (Low Grade)?They'll pay $1.06 for all of it
Loss if not sorted:-$1.87 / lb
Trend for 30 days: -5.3%
Price analytics
Sort separately
Romex® Wire Based on 1 scrap yard
Avg price:$2.30 / lb
Mix it with #3 Insulated Wire (Low Grade)?They'll pay $1.06 for all of it
Loss if not sorted:-$1.24 / lb
Trend for 30 days: 0.0%
Price analytics
Sort separately
Coax & Heliax Cable Estimated U.S. prices
Avg price:$2.17 / lb
Mix it with #3 Insulated Wire (Low Grade)?They'll pay $1.06 for all of it
Loss if not sorted:-$1.11 / lb
Trend for 90 days: 0.2%
Price analytics
Sort separately
Telecom & Data Wire Estimated U.S. prices
Avg price:$1.88 / lb
Mix it with #3 Insulated Wire (Low Grade)?They'll pay $1.06 for all of it
Loss if not sorted:-$0.82 / lb
Trend for 30 days: -17.9%
Price analytics
Sort separately
#2 Insulated Wire Estimated U.S. prices
Avg price:$1.71 / lb
Mix it with #3 Insulated Wire (Low Grade)?They'll pay $1.06 for all of it
Loss if not sorted:-$0.65 / lb
Trend for 30 days: +4.6%
Price analytics
Sort separately
Wire Harnesses Estimated U.S. prices
Avg price:$1.69 / lb
Mix it with #3 Insulated Wire (Low Grade)?They'll pay $1.06 for all of it
Loss if not sorted:-$0.63 / lb
Trend for 6 mo.: +3.6%
Price analytics
MCM & Industrial Cable Estimated U.S. prices
Avg price:$3.94 / lb
Trend for 30 days: +3.2%
Price analytics
Jelly Wire Estimated U.S. prices
Avg price:$1.03 / lb
Trend for 6 mo.: -9.6%
Price analytics
Armored Cable (BX) Estimated U.S. prices
Avg price:$0.66 / lb
Trend for 30 days: +33.6%
Price analytics
Computer Wire Estimated U.S. prices
Avg price:$0.64 / lb
Trend for 30 days: 0.0%
Price analytics
Christmas Lights Estimated U.S. prices
Avg price:$0.37 / lb
Trend for 6 mo.: +24.9%
Price analytics

Historical Price Trends for #3 Insulated Wire

This chart shows where the market is headed. If the line is climbing, prices are rising — you might get a better deal in a few days. If it's dropping, don't wait: sell today before yards lower their buy prices further.

#3 Insulated Wire (Low Grade): Scrap Yard Price vs. World Market (COMEX)

Avg scrap yard price

$1.06
Scrap metal dealers
Price gap: −$5.03 / lb
vs. exchange

Today's world market price (COMEX)

$6.09 / lb
✓ For 99.9% pure refined metal
💡 Why is the scrap yard price lower than the exchange? The COMEX price is the global benchmark for 99.99% pure refined metal traded in large institutional contracts. The gap between COMEX and what you pocket is the yard's margin — it covers sorting, cleaning, transport to the mill, and protects them against sudden price drops.

#3 Insulated Wire (Low Grade): Spread vs. Exchange — Monthly History

Market read: This month's average gap between scrap yard prices and the world market for #3 Insulated Wire (Low Grade) is 79.9%. That is wider than any prior month shown in this table (historical band about 39.8%–59.6%). The gap can reflect local demand, timing against the exchange, or what yards are paying for this grade — shop several yards if you need the best number. Our data suggests local yards are still worth comparing before you sell. Check offers in your area ↑
PeriodWorld price (per lb)Scrap yard price (per lb)Spread vs. exchange
May 2026 (current)$5.9700 / lb$1.20 / lb−$4.77 (79.9%)
April 2026$5.9057 / lb$3.46 / lb−$2.45 (41.4%)
March 2026$5.6775 / lb$3.41 / lb−$2.27 (39.9%)
February 2026$5.8801 / lb$2.87 / lb−$3.01 (51.2%)
January 2026$5.8949 / lb$3.54 / lb−$2.35 (39.9%)
December 2025$5.4977 / lb$2.74 / lb−$2.76 (50.2%)
November 2025$5.0640 / lb$3.04 / lb−$2.02 (40%)
October 2025$5.0502 / lb$3.03 / lb−$2.02 (40%)
September 2025$4.6624 / lb$2.80 / lb−$1.86 (39.9%)
August 2025$4.4780 / lb$2.69 / lb−$1.79 (39.9%)
July 2025$5.4826 / lb$3.29 / lb−$2.19 (40%)
June 2025$4.8832 / lb$2.93 / lb−$1.95 (40%)
May 2025$4.6862 / lb$2.35 / lb−$2.34 (49.9%)
April 2025$4.6543 / lb$2.29 / lb−$2.36 (50.8%)
March 2025$4.9195 / lb$2.45 / lb−$2.47 (50.2%)
February 2025$4.5581 / lb$2.74 / lb−$1.82 (39.9%)
January 2025$4.2698 / lb$2.12 / lb−$2.15 (50.3%)
December 2024$4.1579 / lb$2.30 / lb−$1.86 (44.7%)
November 2024$4.1994 / lb$2.32 / lb−$1.88 (44.8%)
October 2024$4.4318 / lb$2.24 / lb−$2.19 (49.5%)
September 2024$4.2927 / lb$2.58 / lb−$1.71 (39.9%)
August 2024$4.1218 / lb$2.47 / lb−$1.65 (40.1%)
July 2024$4.3752 / lb$2.63 / lb−$1.75 (39.9%)
June 2024$4.4911 / lb$2.30 / lb−$2.19 (48.8%)
May 2024$4.7547 / lb$2.85 / lb−$1.90 (40.1%)
April 2024$4.3637 / lb$2.62 / lb−$1.74 (40%)
March 2024$3.9836 / lb$2.18 / lb−$1.80 (45.3%)
February 2024$3.8018 / lb$2.15 / lb−$1.65 (43.4%)
January 2024$3.8113 / lb$2.29 / lb−$1.52 (39.9%)
December 2023$3.8712 / lb$2.32 / lb−$1.55 (40.1%)
November 2023$3.7208 / lb$2.23 / lb−$1.49 (40.1%)
October 2023$3.6093 / lb$2.08 / lb−$1.53 (42.4%)
September 2023$3.7598 / lb$1.99 / lb−$1.77 (47.1%)
August 2023$3.7761 / lb$2.27 / lb−$1.51 (39.9%)
July 2023$3.8455 / lb$2.31 / lb−$1.54 (39.9%)
June 2023$3.8050 / lb$2.10 / lb−$1.71 (44.8%)
May 2023$3.7515 / lb$2.08 / lb−$1.67 (44.6%)
April 2023$4.0074 / lb$2.40 / lb−$1.61 (40.1%)
March 2023$4.0282 / lb$2.06 / lb−$1.97 (48.9%)
February 2023$4.0648 / lb$2.44 / lb−$1.62 (40%)
January 2023$4.1151 / lb$2.47 / lb−$1.65 (40%)
December 2022$3.8207 / lb$1.93 / lb−$1.89 (49.5%)
November 2022$3.6740 / lb$2.20 / lb−$1.47 (40.1%)
October 2022$3.4304 / lb$2.06 / lb−$1.37 (39.9%)
September 2022$3.4553 / lb$2.07 / lb−$1.39 (40.1%)
August 2022$3.6165 / lb$2.17 / lb−$1.45 (40%)
July 2022$3.4195 / lb$2.05 / lb−$1.37 (40%)
June 2022$4.1187 / lb$2.07 / lb−$2.05 (49.7%)
May 2022$4.2573 / lb$2.15 / lb−$2.11 (49.5%)
April 2022$4.6495 / lb$2.79 / lb−$1.86 (40%)
March 2022$4.7077 / lb$2.83 / lb−$1.88 (39.9%)
February 2022$4.5023 / lb$2.70 / lb−$1.80 (40%)
January 2022$4.4345 / lb$2.66 / lb−$1.77 (40%)
December 2021$4.3322 / lb$2.60 / lb−$1.73 (40%)
November 2021$4.3676 / lb$2.62 / lb−$1.75 (40%)
October 2021$4.4324 / lb$2.66 / lb−$1.77 (40%)
September 2021$4.2864 / lb$1.73 / lb−$2.56 (59.6%)
August 2021$4.3030 / lb$2.58 / lb−$1.72 (40%)
July 2021$4.3475 / lb$2.15 / lb−$2.20 (50.5%)
June 2021$4.3888 / lb$2.21 / lb−$2.18 (49.6%)
May 2021$4.6189 / lb$2.77 / lb−$1.85 (40%)
April 2021$4.1926 / lb$2.08 / lb−$2.11 (50.4%)
March 2021$4.0847 / lb$2.45 / lb−$1.63 (40%)
February 2021$3.8610 / lb$2.32 / lb−$1.54 (39.9%)
January 2021$3.6074 / lb$1.78 / lb−$1.83 (50.7%)
December 2020$3.5469 / lb$1.99 / lb−$1.56 (43.9%)
November 2020$3.2176 / lb$1.70 / lb−$1.52 (47.2%)
October 2020$3.0602 / lb$1.51 / lb−$1.55 (50.7%)
September 2020$3.0352 / lb$1.48 / lb−$1.56 (51.2%)
August 2020$2.9097 / lb$1.46 / lb−$1.45 (49.8%)
July 2020$2.8676 / lb$1.68 / lb−$1.19 (41.4%)
June 2020$2.5983 / lb$1.56 / lb−$1.04 (40%)
May 2020$2.3774 / lb$1.43 / lb−$0.95 (39.9%)
April 2020$2.2860 / lb$1.37 / lb−$0.92 (40.1%)
March 2020$2.3570 / lb$1.41 / lb−$0.95 (40.2%)
February 2020$2.5747 / lb$1.54 / lb−$1.03 (40.2%)
January 2020$2.7599 / lb$1.66 / lb−$1.10 (39.9%)
December 2019$2.7741 / lb$1.35 / lb−$1.42 (51.3%)
November 2019$2.6607 / lb$1.60 / lb−$1.06 (39.9%)
October 2019$2.6216 / lb$1.29 / lb−$1.33 (50.8%)
September 2019$2.6155 / lb$1.57 / lb−$1.05 (40%)
August 2019$2.5766 / lb$1.23 / lb−$1.35 (52.3%)
July 2019$2.6935 / lb$1.62 / lb−$1.07 (39.9%)
June 2019$2.6718 / lb$1.60 / lb−$1.07 (40.1%)
May 2019$2.7395 / lb$1.64 / lb−$1.10 (40.1%)
April 2019$2.9143 / lb$1.75 / lb−$1.16 (40%)
March 2019$2.9020 / lb$1.74 / lb−$1.16 (40%)
February 2019$2.8459 / lb$1.71 / lb−$1.14 (39.9%)
January 2019$2.6755 / lb$1.61 / lb−$1.07 (39.8%)
December 2018$2.7248 / lb$1.64 / lb−$1.08 (39.8%)
November 2018$2.7578 / lb$1.65 / lb−$1.11 (40.2%)
October 2018$2.7684 / lb$1.66 / lb−$1.11 (40%)
September 2018$2.7128 / lb$1.63 / lb−$1.08 (39.9%)
August 2018$2.7061 / lb$1.62 / lb−$1.09 (40.1%)
July 2018$2.8076 / lb$1.69 / lb−$1.12 (39.8%)
June 2018$3.1238 / lb$1.87 / lb−$1.25 (40.1%)
May 2018$3.0802 / lb$1.85 / lb−$1.23 (39.9%)
April 2018$3.0864 / lb$1.85 / lb−$1.24 (40.1%)
March 2018$3.0808 / lb$1.85 / lb−$1.23 (40%)
February 2018$3.1788 / lb$1.91 / lb−$1.27 (39.9%)
January 2018$3.2152 / lb$1.93 / lb−$1.29 (40%)
December 2017$3.1349 / lb$1.88 / lb−$1.25 (40%)
November 2017$3.1058 / lb$1.86 / lb−$1.25 (40.1%)
October 2017$3.1039 / lb$1.86 / lb−$1.24 (40.1%)
September 2017$3.0087 / lb$1.80 / lb−$1.21 (40.2%)
August 2017$2.9571 / lb$1.45 / lb−$1.51 (51%)
July 2017$2.7325 / lb$1.64 / lb−$1.09 (40%)
June 2017$2.6055 / lb$1.56 / lb−$1.05 (40.1%)
May 2017$2.5567 / lb$1.53 / lb−$1.03 (40.2%)
April 2017$2.5954 / lb$1.27 / lb−$1.33 (51.1%)
March 2017$2.6535 / lb$1.59 / lb−$1.06 (40.1%)
February 2017$2.6993 / lb$1.28 / lb−$1.42 (52.6%)
January 2017$2.6229 / lb$1.57 / lb−$1.05 (40.1%)
December 2016$2.5678 / lb$1.54 / lb−$1.03 (40%)
November 2016$2.4783 / lb$1.25 / lb−$1.23 (49.6%)
October 2016$2.1489 / lb$1.26 / lb−$0.89 (41.4%)
September 2016$2.1395 / lb$1.28 / lb−$0.86 (40.2%)
August 2016$2.1413 / lb$1.05 / lb−$1.09 (51%)
July 2016$2.2104 / lb$1.33 / lb−$0.88 (39.8%)
June 2016$2.0937 / lb$1.26 / lb−$0.83 (39.8%)
May 2016$2.1114 / lb$1.04 / lb−$1.07 (50.7%)
April 2016$2.1830 / lb$1.31 / lb−$0.87 (40%)
March 2016$2.2403 / lb$1.34 / lb−$0.90 (40.2%)
February 2016$2.0768 / lb$0.99 / lb−$1.09 (52.3%)
January 2016$2.0224 / lb$0.98 / lb−$1.04 (51.5%)
December 2015$2.0944 / lb$1.01 / lb−$1.08 (51.8%)
November 2015$2.1509 / lb$1.04 / lb−$1.11 (51.6%)
October 2015$2.3681 / lb$1.17 / lb−$1.20 (50.6%)
September 2015$2.3606 / lb$1.42 / lb−$0.94 (39.8%)
August 2015$2.3265 / lb$1.14 / lb−$1.19 (51%)
July 2015$2.4901 / lb$1.05 / lb−$1.44 (57.8%)
June 2015$2.6549 / lb$1.20 / lb−$1.45 (54.8%)
May 2015$2.8660 / lb$1.42 / lb−$1.45 (50.5%)
April 2015$2.7454 / lb$1.36 / lb−$1.39 (50.5%)
March 2015$2.6975 / lb$1.34 / lb−$1.36 (50.3%)
February 2015$2.6000 / lb$1.25 / lb−$1.35 (51.9%)
January 2015$2.6365 / lb$1.30 / lb−$1.34 (50.7%)
December 2014$2.8772 / lb$1.50 / lb−$1.38 (47.9%)
November 2014$3.0028 / lb$1.56 / lb−$1.44 (48%)
October 2014$3.0292 / lb$1.82 / lb−$1.21 (39.9%)
September 2014$3.0989 / lb$1.59 / lb−$1.51 (48.7%)
August 2014$3.1700 / lb$1.90 / lb−$1.27 (40.1%)
July 2014$3.2404 / lb$1.94 / lb−$1.30 (40.1%)
June 2014$3.0985 / lb$1.56 / lb−$1.54 (49.7%)
May 2014$3.1197 / lb$1.59 / lb−$1.53 (49%)
April 2014$3.0518 / lb$1.53 / lb−$1.52 (49.9%)
March 2014$3.0266 / lb$1.82 / lb−$1.21 (39.9%)
February 2014$3.2380 / lb$1.94 / lb−$1.30 (40.1%)
January 2014$3.3185 / lb$1.70 / lb−$1.62 (48.8%)
December 2013$3.2991 / lb$1.67 / lb−$1.63 (49.4%)
November 2013$3.2182 / lb$1.63 / lb−$1.59 (49.4%)
October 2013$3.2857 / lb$1.97 / lb−$1.32 (40%)
September 2013$3.2748 / lb$1.96 / lb−$1.31 (40.1%)
August 2013$3.2862 / lb$1.97 / lb−$1.32 (40.1%)
July 2013$3.1319 / lb$1.58 / lb−$1.55 (49.6%)
June 2013$3.1810 / lb$1.59 / lb−$1.59 (50%)
May 2013$3.3059 / lb$1.70 / lb−$1.61 (48.6%)
April 2013$3.2534 / lb$1.85 / lb−$1.40 (43.1%)

#3 Insulated Wire (Low Grade) Scrap Price History — Daily Data

A day-by-day market snapshot in exact numbers. Every day we aggregate buy prices from local scrap yards, recording the average, low, and high. Use this table to track real price movement over recent days.

DateAvg price (per lb)ChangeRange (Low/High)
$1.20 / lb+$0.10$1.20 – $1.20
12/11/2025 $1.10 / lb+$0.10$1.10 – $1.10
5/19/2025 $1.00 / lb+$0.10$1.00 – $1.00
4/19/2025 $0.90 / lb−$0.10$0.90 – $0.90
3/19/2025 $1.00 / lb+$0.10$1.00 – $1.00
1/25/2025 $0.90 / lb−$0.10$0.90 – $0.90
12/4/2024 $1.00 / lb−$0.10$1.00 – $1.00
10/11/2024 $1.10 / lb−$0.10$1.10 – $1.10
6/18/2024 $1.20 / lb+$0.20$1.20 – $1.20
3/5/2024 $1.00 / lb+$0.10$1.00 – $1.00
10/2/2023 $0.90 / lb+$0.05$0.90 – $0.90
6/4/2023 $0.85 / lb−$0.15$0.85 – $0.85
3/25/2023 $1.00 / lb+$0.10$1.00 – $1.00
12/17/2022 $0.90 / lb+$0.10$0.90 – $0.90
6/26/2022 $0.80 / lb−$0.20$0.80 – $0.80
5/24/2022 $1.00 / lb+$0.05$1.00 – $1.00
9/29/2021 $0.95 / lb−$0.05$0.95 – $0.95
9/21/2021 $1.00 / lb+$0.10$1.00 – $1.00
7/29/2021 $0.90 / lb−$0.20$0.90 – $0.90
6/16/2021 $1.10 / lb+$0.20$1.10 – $1.10
4/22/2021 $0.90 / lb+$0.20$0.90 – $0.90
1/16/2021 $0.70 / lb+$0.05$0.70 – $0.70
12/3/2020 $0.65 / lb+$0.05$0.65 – $0.65
10/23/2020 $0.60 / lb+$0.05$0.60 – $0.60
9/20/2020 $0.55 / lb+$0.10$0.55 – $0.55
8/7/2020 $0.45 / lb+$0.05$0.45 – $0.45
12/9/2019 $0.40 / lb−$0.05$0.40 – $0.40
10/14/2019 $0.45 / lb+$0.10$0.45 – $0.45
8/21/2019 $0.35 / lb−$0.15$0.35 – $0.35
8/8/2017 $0.50 / lb+$0.05$0.50 – $0.50
4/28/2017 $0.45 / lb+$0.05$0.45 – $0.45
2/9/2017 $0.40 / lb+$0.05$0.40 – $0.40
11/7/2016 $0.35 / lb−$0.03$0.35 – $0.35
8/18/2016 $0.38 / lb+$0.03$0.38 – $0.38
5/21/2016 $0.35 / lb+$0.05$0.35 – $0.35
2/18/2016 $0.30 / lb+$0.02$0.30 – $0.30
1/19/2016 $0.28 / lb−$0.02$0.28 – $0.28
12/19/2015 $0.30 / lb−$0.05$0.30 – $0.30
11/18/2015 $0.35 / lb−$0.10$0.35 – $0.35
10/19/2015 $0.45 / lb+$0.05$0.45 – $0.45
8/18/2015 $0.40 / lb−$0.05$0.40 – $0.40
7/19/2015 $0.45 / lb−$0.05$0.45 – $0.45
7/5/2015 $0.50 / lb−$0.03$0.50 – $0.50
6/18/2015 $0.53 / lb−$0.07$0.53 – $0.53
5/19/2015 $0.60 / lb+$0.05$0.60 – $0.60
4/17/2015 $0.55 / lb+$0.05$0.55 – $0.55
3/18/2015 $0.50 / lb+$0.05$0.50 – $0.50
2/15/2015 $0.45 / lb−$0.05$0.45 – $0.45
1/16/2015 $0.50 / lb−$0.35$0.50 – $0.50
12/16/2014 $0.85 / lb−$0.05$0.85 – $0.85
11/15/2014 $0.90 / lb+$0.05$0.90 – $0.90
9/15/2014 $0.85 / lb+$0.13$0.85 – $0.85
6/12/2014 $0.72 / lb−$0.03$0.72 – $0.72
5/11/2014 $0.75 / lb+$0.05$0.75 – $0.75
4/10/2014 $0.70 / lb−$0.10$0.70 – $0.70
1/31/2014 $0.80 / lb−$0.05$0.80 – $0.80
12/31/2013 $0.85 / lb+$0.05$0.85 – $0.85
11/30/2013 $0.80 / lb+$0.05$0.80 – $0.80
7/28/2013 $0.75 / lb+$0.10$0.75 – $0.75
6/27/2013 $0.65 / lb−$0.05$0.65 – $0.65
5/7/2013 $0.70 / lb−$0.05$0.70 – $0.70