Why are some scrap prices quoted per kilogram and others per tonne, and how do you convert between them?
Short answer: Smaller loads and higher-value metals such as copper and brass are usually quoted per kilogram, while bulk, lower-value materials such as steel are more often quoted per tonne, and since a tonne is one thousand kilograms you convert by multiplying a per-kilogram price by one thousand or dividing a per-tonne price by one thousand, which makes it easy to compare lists that use different units.
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List Free →Why the unit follows the value
High-value metals are worth quoting in small units so the numbers stay readable, whereas heavy, low-value material is easier to talk about in tonnes.
The simple conversion
One tonne is one thousand kilograms, so a price quoted per kilogram multiplied by one thousand gives the per-tonne equivalent, and the reverse gives you the per-kilogram price.
Watch for mixed units on one list
Some lists mix units between lines, so check the unit on every row before comparing totals or deciding where to sell.
How ScrapTrade Fits In
ScrapTrade quotes prices with a clear unit so you can compare offers directly without converting.
Reading a price list well is half the job. ScrapTrade shows current market prices and connects you with verified buyers, transparent weighing and escrow-protected payments.
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