Calculate copper cost per pound, total cost, or total weight by entering any two values, with weight in pounds, kilograms, or ounces.

Cost Per Pound of Copper Calculator

Enter any 2 values to calculate the missing variable

Cost Per Pound of Copper Formula

The calculator uses total cost, total copper weight, and cost per pound. If the weight is entered in kilograms or ounces, it first converts the weight to pounds.

CPP = TC / W_lb
  • CPP = cost per pound of copper, in dollars per pound
  • TC = total cost of copper, in dollars
  • W_lb = total weight of copper, converted to pounds

To calculate total cost, the formula is rearranged as:

TC = CPP * W_lb

To calculate total weight in pounds, the formula is rearranged as:

W_lb = TC / CPP

For unit conversion, the calculator uses:

W_lb = W * CF
  • W = weight entered in the selected unit
  • CF = conversion factor to pounds
  • lb uses a conversion factor of 1
  • kg uses a conversion factor of 2.20462
  • oz uses a conversion factor of 0.0625

If you leave cost per pound blank, the calculator divides the total cost by the copper weight in pounds. If you leave total cost blank, it multiplies the cost per pound by the weight in pounds. If you leave total weight blank, it divides total cost by cost per pound, then converts the result to your selected weight unit.

Copper Weight Conversion Reference

Unit Equivalent in Pounds Use in the Calculator
1 pound 1 lb Use when your copper weight is already in pounds.
1 kilogram 2.20462 lb Use for metric weights.
1 ounce 0.0625 lb Use for small copper quantities.

Common Copper Cost Checks

What You Know What You Can Find Calculation
Total cost and total weight Cost per pound Divide total cost by pounds.
Cost per pound and total weight Total cost Multiply cost per pound by pounds.
Total cost and cost per pound Total weight Divide total cost by cost per pound.

Example Problems

Example 1: Find cost per pound

You paid $96 for 24 pounds of copper.

CPP = 96 / 24 = 4

The cost per pound is $4.00/lb.

Example 2: Find total cost with kilograms

You have 10 kg of copper, and the price is $3.75 per pound.

W_lb = 10 * 2.20462 = 22.0462
TC = 3.75 * 22.0462 = 82.67

The total cost is $82.67.

FAQ

Why does the calculator convert kilograms and ounces to pounds?

The final rate is dollars per pound, so every weight must be expressed in pounds before the cost per pound can be calculated. Kilograms are multiplied by 2.20462, and ounces are multiplied by 0.0625.

Does cost per pound mean the current market price of copper?

Not always. Cost per pound is the average price for the copper amount you entered. It may include scrap pricing, dealer pricing, shipping, handling, or other costs if those are included in your total cost.

Can the total weight be zero?

A zero weight cannot be used to calculate a meaningful cost per pound when the total cost is greater than zero. Dividing by zero is not valid, so the weight must be greater than zero for normal price-per-pound calculations.