Scrap Steel Prices UK Today
Live UK scrap steel prices per kg and per tonne for all ferrous grades. Aggregated from UK scrap yards and refreshed every few minutes.
Last updated 18 May 2026, 12:40 UK time
Ferrous Steel Grades — £/kg & £/tonne
| Grade | Price / kg |
|---|---|
HMS 1 Heavy Steel, Heavy Iron | £0.300 |
HMS 2 Light Steel, Mix Iron | £0.260 |
Light Iron Tin Cans, White Goods | £0.180 |
Cast Iron Radiators, Manhole Covers | £0.230 |
P&S (Plate & Structural) Girders, Heavy Plate | £0.260 |
Quick Answer
UK scrap steel prices in May 2026: HMS 1 (heavy melting steel) averages £0.18–0.25/kg (£180–250/tonne, ~$0.10–0.14/lb), HMS 2 averages £0.15–0.20/kg, and light iron pays £0.10–0.18/kg. Prices are driven by the CFR Turkey HMS 1/2 benchmark. Cast iron and plate & structural steel command premium prices. All figures are national averages from UK scrap yards, updated daily.
What Are the Different UK Scrap Steel Grades?
Scrap steel in the UK is classified into grades based on thickness, composition, and preparation. The most common system uses HMS (Heavy Melting Steel) grades, which originated from the Institute of Scrap Recycling Industries (ISRI).
HMS 1 is the premium grade, consisting of heavy steel at least 6mm thick. This includes structural steel, rails, and heavy machinery. HMS 2 covers lighter material including sheet metal, car bodies, and mixed light steel.
Light iron includes the lightest ferrous material: tin cans, white goods, and thin sheet metal. Cast iron covers items like radiators, manhole covers, and engine blocks. Plate & structural(P&S) commands the highest prices as it consists of thick steel plates and girders.
All UK scrap steel prices are linked to the Platts TSI HMS 1/2 CFR Turkey benchmark. The UK is a major exporter of ferrous scrap, with Turkey being the largest buyer. When the Turkish import price rises, UK yard prices follow.
For non-ferrous grades, see stainless steel scrap prices per kg — these are driven by the LME nickel price rather than CFR Turkey, and 304/316 grades pay 3–5× more than ferrous scrap.
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Frequently Asked Questions
How much is scrap steel per kg in the UK today?
Today's UK scrap steel prices per kg: HMS 1 (heavy melting steel) £0.18–0.25/kg, HMS 2 £0.15–0.20/kg, light iron £0.10–0.18/kg, cast iron £0.15–0.22/kg, and plate & structural £0.20–0.28/kg. These are national averages aggregated from UK scrap yards and updated daily. Live prices are shown in the table above.
What is 1kg of steel worth in the UK?
1kg of scrap steel in the UK is worth roughly £0.10–£0.28 depending on grade. Light iron (tin cans, white goods) sits at the low end (£0.10–0.18/kg), HMS 1 heavy melting steel pays £0.18–0.25/kg, and plate & structural commands £0.20–0.28/kg. 1kg of new (not scrap) mild steel sold by a stockist typically costs £1.00–£2.00/kg depending on form and quantity.
How much is 1 kg of scrap metal worth in the UK?
It depends on the metal. Steel sits at £0.10–0.28/kg, stainless steel pays £0.40–1.00/kg, brass £3–4/kg, and copper £4–5/kg. See our live scrap steel table above, our stainless steel page, or sister site ukmetalprices.co.uk for non-ferrous rates.
What's the highest paying scrap right now?
Among common scrap metals, copper consistently pays the most (£4–5/kg for bright copper wire), followed by brass (£3–4/kg) and 316 marine-grade stainless steel (£0.60–1.00/kg). Within ferrous scrap, plate & structural and HMS 1 pay the highest per-tonne rates. Catalytic converters, lead, and aluminium also have strong values, but vary widely by grade.
What is the scrap steel price per tonne in the UK?
UK scrap steel prices per tonne: HMS 1 averages £180–250/tonne, HMS 2 around £150–200/tonne, light iron £100–180/tonne, cast iron £150–220/tonne, and plate & structural £200–280/tonne. Per-tonne rates typically apply for skip-loads and bulk deliveries; smaller loads are usually quoted per kg.
How much money is 1 lb of steel?
At today's UK rates, 1 lb of scrap steel is worth roughly £0.05–£0.13 (about $0.06–$0.16 USD). HMS 1 pays around £0.08–0.11/lb and light iron pays £0.05–0.08/lb. The UK market is priced primarily in £/kg and £/tonne — multiply £/kg by 0.4536 to convert to £/lb.
How much is scrap steel selling for near me?
Local UK scrap yard prices typically sit within ±15% of the national average. Yards in London and the South East often pay slightly more due to higher demand and port access; northern industrial regions tend to offer competitive rates on bulk steel. Phone two or three yards in your area for quotes, or use a comparison site — most UK yards update their boards daily.
What is HMS 1 scrap steel?
HMS 1 (Heavy Melting Steel) is the highest grade of ferrous scrap. It consists of heavy steel items at least 6mm thick and no longer than 1.5 metres. Examples include steel beams, rails, axles, and heavy machinery parts. It commands the best ferrous price due to its high yield in the melting process.
How should I prepare scrap steel for sale?
Remove any non-ferrous attachments (copper wiring, aluminium fittings, rubber). Separate heavy steel from light iron, as they're priced differently. Clean, sorted steel can fetch 20–30% more than mixed loads. Bring photo ID and proof of address — cash payments for scrap are banned in the UK; yards pay by cheque or bank transfer under the Scrap Metal Dealers Act 2013.