On this page
- Weight times a dated rate
- The Engineering Breakdown: Ferrous vs Non-Ferrous Mass by Vehicle Weight
- Weight Class Payout Matrix: Curb Weight vs Scale Floor Calculations
- The Short Ton (2,000 lbs) vs Long Ton (2,240 lbs) vs Metric Ton Trap
- GVWR vs. Curb Weight: Why Junkyards Reject Door Sticker Numbers
- Environmental Fluid Removal: Why Yards Drain 45 lbs of Liquid
- How to Calculate Your Net Metal Floor Before Calling a Buyer
- Weight terms and assumptions
Metal math
Weight times a dated rate
Enter curb weight from a spec sheet. The product uses iScrap's complete-car reference of $193.20 per short ton on 27 August 2026, unless you type a local rate you sourced yourself. The product is metal math. Curb weight and paid weight differ.
Worksheet
Condition worksheet
Year, make, model, and ZIP for the condition worksheet. Metal math is in the weight tool above.
The Engineering Breakdown: Ferrous vs Non-Ferrous Mass by Vehicle Weight
A scrap metal shredder does not view an automobile as transportation; it processes the vehicle as a multi-metallic ore composite. On average, a modern passenger automobile consists of the following metallurgical weight distribution:
• Ferrous Steel & Cast Iron (65% to 70% of Total Weight): The primary structural unibody, roof pillars, subframe crossmembers, suspension control arms, brake rotors, and cast iron engine blocks. This constitutes the bulk of scale weight, priced at prevailing heavy melting scrap (HMS) and shredder feed benchmarks (~$193.20 per short ton, or $0.096 per pound).
• Cast Aluminum & Extrusions (8% to 12% of Total Weight): Cylinder heads, intake manifolds, alloy road wheels, air conditioning compressors, and transmission bellhousings. Aluminum is worth significantly more than steel (~$0.45 to $0.65 per pound). While commercial shredders separate aluminum mechanically after shredding via eddy-current separators, yards that manually de-pollute and unbolt aluminum wheels capture an immediate $60 to $120 bonus.
• Copper & Brass (1.5% to 2.5% of Total Weight): Modern vehicles contain 25 to 45 pounds of pure copper wiring in harness looms, alternator stator coils, starter motors, and electric window actuators. Clean copper scrap commands $2.80 to $3.50+ per pound.
• Non-Metallic Shredder Residue / Auto Fluff (15% to 18% of Total Weight): Polyurethane foam seats, laminated safety glass, rubber weatherstripping, plastic bumpers, and carpeting. Because auto recyclers must pay commercial landfill tipping fees ($45 to $85 per ton) to dispose of this non-metallic fluff, certified scale operators deduct this fraction from gross vehicle weight.
Weight Class Payout Matrix: Curb Weight vs Scale Floor Calculations
To understand what your vehicle’s weight is worth at current commodity prices, compare the four standard vehicle curb weight classes calculated against the August 2026 iScrap complete-car benchmark of $193.20 per short ton:
• Compact Passenger Cars (2,600 lbs / 1.30 Short Tons): - Gross Steel Mass: ~1,750 lbs - Non-Metallic Deduction (15%): -390 lbs - Raw Metal Cash Floor: $251.16 - Typical Complete Vehicle Payout (with OEM Converter): $350 to $500
• Mid-Size Sedans & Crossovers (3,400 lbs / 1.70 Short Tons): - Gross Steel Mass: ~2,310 lbs - Non-Metallic Deduction (15%): -510 lbs - Raw Metal Cash Floor: $328.44 - Typical Complete Vehicle Payout (with OEM Converter): $450 to $700
• Full-Size SUVs & Light Trucks (4,500 lbs / 2.25 Short Tons): - Gross Steel Mass: ~3,100 lbs - Non-Metallic Deduction (15%): -675 lbs - Raw Metal Cash Floor: $434.70 - Typical Complete Vehicle Payout (with OEM Converter): $650 to $1,100
• Heavy-Duty Commercial Pickups (5,800 lbs / 2.90 Short Tons): - Gross Steel Mass: ~4,050 lbs - Non-Metallic Deduction (15%): -870 lbs - Raw Metal Cash Floor: $560.28 - Typical Complete Vehicle Payout (with OEM Converter): $900 to $1,800+
The Short Ton (2,000 lbs) vs Long Ton (2,240 lbs) vs Metric Ton Trap
One of the most frequent sources of confusion in scrap metal math is the definition of a "Ton." Depending on the commodity exchange and regional market, three different tonnage standards exist:
1. The US Short Ton (2,000 lbs / 907.18 kg): This is the legal standard used by virtually all retail auto scrap yards and local junkyards in the United States. All calculator worksheets on this website utilize the 2,000-pound short ton. 2. The Long Ton / Gross Ton (2,240 lbs / 1,016.05 kg): Common in international bulk shipping and marine cargo scrap contracts. If an industrial steel mill quotes "$210 per gross ton," that is mathematically equivalent to only $187.50 per short ton. 3. The Metric Tonne (2,204.62 lbs / 1,000 kg): The standard in Canada, Mexico, and global commodity exchanges.
Before accepting a per-ton scrap price over the phone, explicitly ask: "Is your quote based on a 2,000-pound short ton or a 2,240-pound gross ton?" Confusing the two can cost you 12% of your expected payout.
GVWR vs. Curb Weight: Why Junkyards Reject Door Sticker Numbers
The single most common argument at junkyard scale windows occurs when a seller presents a door jamb sticker reading "GVWR: 5,600 lbs" and demands a payout for 2.8 tons of metal.
• Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR): The maximum operating weight of the vehicle specified by the manufacturer, including the vehicle itself, a full tank of fuel, the maximum rated passenger count (e.g., 5 to 7 passengers at 150 lbs each), and maximum cargo payload capacity in the trunk or truck bed.
• Curb Weight: The actual physical weight of the unloaded vehicle sitting empty with standard fluids and equipment.
Scrap yards only pay for the physical steel sitting on their scale platform. If your truck has a GVWR of 5,800 lbs but an empty curb weight of 4,100 lbs, the scale will register 4,100 lbs. Expecting payment on GVWR will result in a 25% to 40% discrepancy.
Environmental Fluid Removal: Why Yards Drain 45 lbs of Liquid
Under Title 40 of the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) and EPA industrial stormwater regulations, auto recyclers are legally prohibited from crushing or shredding vehicles with intact fluid reservoirs. Every vehicle entering a licensed facility must undergo de-pollution:
• Gasoline / Diesel: 10 to 25 gallons (60 to 150 lbs) drained via pneumatic fuel tank puncture systems. • Motor Oil & Transmission Fluid: 8 to 14 quarts (16 to 28 lbs) evacuated into double-walled recycling tanks. • Ethylene Glycol Coolant: 2 to 3 gallons (18 to 27 lbs) extracted to prevent groundwater contamination. • Refrigerant Gas (R134a / R1234yf): Evacuated with closed-loop certified recovery machines.
In total, a fully loaded vehicle loses 35 to 65 pounds of fluid weight during de-pollution. While yards absorb this processing expense, understanding fluid removal explains why scale tickets never perfectly match spec-sheet curb weights.
How to Calculate Your Net Metal Floor Before Calling a Buyer
Follow this exact 4-step calculation to establish your non-negotiable walkaway price:
Step 1: Locate your vehicle’s exact curb weight from the driver door jamb spec plate or manufacturer technical specifications. Step 2: Divide curb weight in pounds by 2,000 to determine Short Tons. Step 3: Multiply Short Tons by the current complete-car reference rate ($193.20/ton) to calculate gross metal value. Step 4: Subtract 15% for non-metallic residue deductions if the car is stripped of parts.
Example: A 3,600-pound minivan = 1.80 short tons × $193.20 = $347.76 gross metal floor. Any buyer offering less than $300 for this vehicle complete with its original catalytic converter is attempting to underpay you.
Weight terms and assumptions
| Weight term | Meaning | Use here? |
|---|---|---|
| Curb weight | Spec-sheet weight of the vehicle, usually without passengers or cargo | Yes, for homework when you do not have a scale ticket |
| GVWR | Maximum allowed loaded weight, including cargo and passengers | No. It is larger than curb weight and is not what a yard pays on |
| Paid / scale weight | What the yard tickets after they weigh the car | Yes, if you already have a ticket. Run it separately from curb weight |
| Short ton | 2,000 pounds. Common US yard unit | Yes, unless the posting says gross ton or metric tonne |
| Gross / long ton | 2,240 pounds. Some metal trades still use it | Only if the yard told you that is the unit on the posting |
| Assumption | What this page uses | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Complete-car rate | $193.20 per short ton | iScrap complete-car page, 27 August 2026 |
| Ton | 2,000 pounds | US short ton. Ask if a posting uses gross tons |
| Completeness | Not in the multiply | iScrap complete-car list is a rate category, not a second factor on this worksheet |
| Towing, title, buyer margin | Unknown, not subtracted | No honest national haircut. Those sit in a written bid |
| Fluids, tires, missing pieces | Not a default pound deduction | Enter paid weight if you have a ticket. This site will not invent a haircut |
Frequently asked questions
How do I calculate junk car value by weight?
Divide your vehicle’s manufacturer curb weight in pounds by 2,000 to convert to short tons, then multiply by the prevailing local complete-car scrap rate. For example, a 3,300-pound sedan equals 1.65 tons; at $193.20 per ton, the baseline metal floor is $318.78 before adding catalytic converter or parts premiums.
What is the difference between curb weight and GVWR when scrapping a car?
Curb weight is the actual empty weight of the vehicle with fluids, which is what the scrap yard pays for on the scale. GVWR (Gross Vehicle Weight Rating) includes the weight of maximum passengers and cargo payload. Junkyards will never pay on GVWR.
How much does a scrap yard deduct for non-metal materials?
Scrap yards and auto shredders typically apply a 12% to 18% non-metallic residue deduction (auto fluff) against gross vehicle weight to account for non-recyclable materials such as glass, upholstery foam, interior plastics, and rubber tires.
What is a short ton vs a long ton in scrap metal pricing?
In the United States, scrap yards pay by the Short Ton, which equals exactly 2,000 pounds. A Long Ton (Gross Ton) equals 2,240 pounds and is typically used in international marine export contracts. Always confirm that your quote is based on a 2,000-pound short ton.
Does a heavier vehicle always get more money at a junkyard?
In terms of raw metal scrap value, yes: a 5,000-pound truck contains nearly double the steel of a 2,600-pound compact car. However, high-demand components (such as a rare Toyota transmission or hybrid battery) can allow a lighter complete car to command a higher total cash offer than a heavy stripped shell.
Do junkyards weigh the car with the engine and tires on it?
Yes. When selling a complete car, the vehicle is driven or winched onto the platform scale with all components intact. If wheels or the engine are missing, the yard tickets the car as an incomplete shell at a lower per-ton scrap rate.
How much is a scrap catalytic converter worth compared to the car weight?
On many vehicles, the catalytic converter is worth more than all the vehicle’s steel combined. A 3,000-pound sedan yields ~$290 in steel, while an intact original OEM catalytic converter on that same car can be worth $150 to $400+ at precious metal scrap refiners.
Should I drain the fluids before bringing my car to a scrap yard?
No, licensed auto recyclers are equipped with specialized EPA-compliant fluid evacuation systems to safely recover fuel, motor oil, coolant, and Freon. Attempting to drain fluids at home risks toxic spills, EPA disposal fines, and rarely increases your scale payout.