Updated · 17 May 2026
Bright Copper Wire price UK
Bare, uncoated, unalloyed copper wire with a bright finish. The highest value copper scrap grade, also known as millberry or dry bright wire.
UK yard average
TodayCopper · Bright Copper Wire
£7.04
per kg avg · range £5.60–£8.60 · 9 sources
ISRI codeBarley
Regional Prices
Per kg by UK region
Prices vary by region. Yards near ports typically pay more thanks to cheaper export routes.
South West & Wales
£8.20
1
London & South East
£6.15
4
North West
£8.50
1
Yorkshire & North East
£7.00
1
Midlands
£8.60
1
Calculate Bright Copper Wire value
Instant estimate
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Indicative estimate. Actual yard prices vary by region, volume, and metal condition. Always confirm with your local scrap yard before driving.
What is Bright Copper Wire?
Bright copper wire is clean, bare copper wire stripped of all insulation, coating, and solder. It must be at least 16 gauge (1.29mm) thick and free of any tin, paint, or oxidation. This is the premium copper grade because it requires minimal processing before being melted and recast.
Tips for best price
- Strip insulation cleanly. Any plastic remnants downgrade to household cable pricing.
- Keep dry. Oxidised or greasy wire gets reclassified as "greasy bright" at a lower price.
- Don't mix gauges. Very thin wire (data cable) is worth less even if stripped.
- Remove any solder joints. Soldered wire gets downgraded to No.2 copper or braziery.