Lead Scrap Prices Today
2 lead grades tracked. National averages updated daily.
About Lead
Yards keep a posted rate for Lead alongside the other commodity metals on the price board. Downstream demand for battery plates, sheet roofing, and ammunition is what sets the floor on yard prices. Yards see the material arrive from battery breaking, roofing tear-off, and tire shop turnover. Sorted loads ship on to secondary lead smelters and battery plate makers, which closes the recycling loop. For sellers, calling a couple of nearby yards before driving over confirms the day's posted rate and which grades are being accepted at the scale that morning.
Lead Grades
| Grade | Current Price | Unit | Last Updated |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lead (Soft) | $0.72 | /lb | Nov 10, 2026 |
| Lead Wheel Weights | $0.51 | /lb | Nov 10, 2026 |
What drives the Lead market
Lead yard rates follow the broader commodity market for battery plates, sheet roofing, and ammunition-grade material. Demand from buyers serving battery plates, sheet roofing, and ammunition pulls material through the yards. battery breaking, roofing tear-off, and tire shop turnover controls how much material reaches yards in a given week. The price gap between grades — Lead (Soft) at the high end and Lead Wheel Weights at the low end — comes down to cleanliness and how much downstream processing is needed. Sellers tracking Lead get the cleanest read by checking posted rates at a couple of yards in the same window, since both the daily benchmark and local downstream demand feed in.
How Lead grades compare
Yards split Lead into two grades, and the spread between them reflects contamination, attached parts, and recovery yield. Lead (Soft) pays the highest of the family — it can move directly into secondary lead smelters and battery plate makers. Lead Wheel Weights pays a discount that reflects steel clips, zinc alloy substitutes, and dirt mixed in with the load. Trimming off steel clips, zinc alloy substitutes, and dirt at home is the simplest way to land in a higher grade.
Lead Prices by State
Frequently asked about Lead
- Is it worth driving farther for a higher Lead price?
- Calling a couple of yards in your area on the same morning gives a useful read on local rates. The price spread between yards is usually small enough that fuel cost eats most of the gain unless you're hauling a heavy load.
- How can I get a higher price for my Lead?
- Removing steel clips, zinc alloy substitutes, and dirt before bringing the load in is the simplest way to land in a cleaner grade on the scale. Sorting by grade ahead of time also helps the yard process your material faster.
- How are Lead prices set?
- Posted yard prices track the daily commodity benchmark, with each yard adding or subtracting based on volume, sorting cost, and shipping distance to secondary lead smelters and battery plate makers.
- Do all scrap yards buy Lead?
- Lead is one of the staple categories, so the typical yard handles it. Some yards focus on auto salvage, demolition, or industrial accounts and may not post rates for every grade.
- Where can I find Lead to scrap?
- Lead shows up in battery breaking, roofing tear-off, and tire shop turnover. Common sources include parts tied to battery plates, sheet roofing, and ammunition — old wiring, removed plumbing, salvaged appliances, and trade scraps from contractors and remodelers.
- Why does Lead pricing change from week to week?
- Posted yard rates follow the underlying commodity market, which responds to industrial demand and inventory cycles. When the benchmark moves, yard rates usually catch up within a couple of business days.
- How much is lead per pound at a scrap yard today?
- As of Nov 10, 2026, the US national average is $0.72/lb for Lead (Soft) and $0.51/lb for Lead Wheel Weights. Yards quote around these figures depending on grade, cleanliness and volume, so call two or three with your weight for a firm price.
- Which lead grade pays the most?
- Lead (Soft) pays the most at $0.72/lb; Lead Wheel Weights is the lowest at $0.51/lb. Sorting by grade before you arrive is the biggest lever on your payout, because a mixed load is paid at the lowest grade in the pile.