Steel Price Per Ton Today
Real-time steel market trends and price movements. Track daily changes across hot rolled, cold rolled, rebar, structural steel, stainless steel, and more.
Market Overview
Daily summary of steel market performance across major categories.
Hot Rolled Coil
Stable
+0.5% today
Cold Rolled Coil
Rising
+1.2% today
Rebar
Falling
-0.8% today
Stainless Steel
Stable
±0.0% today
Steel Prices by Category
Browse current market trends by product type. Click any category to view detailed price movements.
All Products
Coils & Sheets
Structural Steel
Stainless Steel
Special Steel
Hot Rolled & Cold Rolled Steel
Hot Rolled Coil (HRC)
Q235B, 3.0mm × 1500mm
+0.5%
Cold Rolled Coil (CRC)
SPCC, 1.0mm × 1250mm
+1.2%
Hot Rolled Plate
Q345B, 8-20mm
+0.3%
Medium Plate
Q235B, 20-40mm
-0.2%
Checkered Plate
Q235B, 3-6mm
+0.4%
Galvanized & Coated Steel
Galvanized Steel Coil (GI)
DX51D+Z, 0.5mm, Z120
+0.8%
Galvalume Steel Coil (GL)
AZ150, 0.5mm
+0.6%
Prepainted Steel (PPGI)
Color coated, 0.5mm
+0.9%
Electro-Galvanized Coil
SECC, 0.8mm
+0.5%
Structural Steel (Beams, Channels, Angles)
H Beam
Q235B, 200×200mm
-0.3%
I Beam
Q235B, 250×125mm
-0.4%
Channel Steel
Q235B, [160×63mm
-0.2%
Angle Steel
Q235B, L63×63×6mm
±0.0%
Square Tube
Q235B, 100×100×4mm
+0.3%
Rectangular Tube
Q235B, 100×50×4mm
+0.2%
Rebar & Wire Rod
Rebar HRB400
Φ16-25mm
-0.8%
Rebar HRB500
Φ16-25mm
-0.9%
Wire Rod HPB300
Φ6.5mm coil
-0.6%
High Wire Rod
SWRH82B, Φ6.5mm
-0.4%
Stainless Steel
Stainless Steel 201
Cold rolled, 1.0mm
+0.3%
Stainless Steel 304
Cold rolled, 2.0mm
±0.0%
Stainless Steel 316L
Cold rolled, 2.0mm
-0.1%
Stainless Steel 430
Cold rolled, 1.5mm
+0.2%
Stainless Steel Pipe 304
Welded, Φ76×2mm
+0.4%
Steel Pipes & Tubes
Seamless Steel Pipe
20#, Φ108×4.5mm
+0.2%
Welded Steel Pipe
Q235B, Φ219×6mm
+0.3%
Galvanized Steel Pipe
Q235B, Φ76×3.5mm
+0.5%
Spiral Welded Pipe
Q235B, Φ529×8mm
±0.0%
Special Steel & Alloy Steel
Wear Resistant Steel NM400
6-20mm plate
+0.6%
Wear Resistant Steel NM500
8-25mm plate
+0.7%
Pressure Vessel Steel Q345R
12-40mm plate
+0.4%
Boiler Steel 20G
10-30mm plate
+0.3%
Shipbuilding Steel A36
6-40mm plate
±0.0%
Tool Steel Cr12MoV
Round bar, Φ100mm
+0.2%
Spring Steel 60Si2Mn
Flat bar, 40×6mm
+0.3%
Bearing Steel GCr15
Round bar, Φ60mm
+0.4%
Market Analysis & Trends
Latest insights on steel market dynamics and price drivers.
Key Market Drivers (Week of Dec 16-19, 2024)
- Raw Material Costs: Iron ore prices remained stable at Qingdao port, providing support to HRC and rebar prices. Coking coal prices edged up slightly due to winter stockpiling.
- Demand Outlook: Infrastructure construction activity slowed seasonally in northern China. Manufacturing PMI showed moderate expansion, supporting cold-rolled and galvanized demand.
- Production Levels: Major mills maintained steady output despite environmental restrictions. Daily crude steel output averaged 2.85 million tons.
- Inventory Trends: Social inventories of rebar decreased 2.3% week-over-week, while HRC stocks rose slightly by 0.8%.
- Export Activity: Chinese steel exports remained robust at 9.2 million tons/month, with strong demand from Southeast Asia and Middle East markets.
Regional Price Variations
Steel prices vary significantly by region due to transportation costs, local supply-demand balance, and mill proximity:
- Shanghai: Hub for imported raw materials and coastal mills; typically reflects international prices fastest
- Tangshan: Major production center with lower prices due to abundant local supply
- Guangzhou: Premium pricing due to strong manufacturing demand and logistics costs
- Wuhan: Mid-range pricing with balanced supply from local and transported steel
Forecast for Next Week (Dec 23-27, 2024)
- Hot Rolled Coil: Expected to remain stable with slight upward pressure from raw material costs
- Cold Rolled Coil: Likely to continue rising trend on manufacturing restocking demand
- Rebar: May face downward pressure as winter construction slowdown deepens
- Stainless Steel: Stable to slightly up on nickel price support
- Galvanized Products: Steady demand from construction and automotive sectors to support prices
Factors Affecting Steel Prices
Understanding the key variables that influence daily steel pricing.
Supply-Side Factors
- Raw Material Costs: Iron ore, coking coal, and scrap metal prices account for 60-70% of production costs
- Production Capacity: Mill output levels, capacity utilization rates, and planned maintenance shutdowns
- Energy Costs: Electricity and natural gas prices, especially important for electric arc furnaces
- Environmental Policies: Production restrictions during high pollution periods affect supply
- Import/Export Dynamics: Trade policies, tariffs, and international competitiveness
Demand-Side Factors
- Construction Activity: Real estate development and infrastructure projects drive 50-55% of steel demand
- Manufacturing Sector: Automotive, machinery, and home appliances account for 25-30%
- Seasonal Patterns: Construction typically peaks in spring/autumn, slows in winter
- Economic Growth: GDP growth rates, industrial production indexes, and fixed asset investment
- Government Policies: Stimulus programs, infrastructure spending, and industry support measures
Market Sentiment Factors
- Inventory Levels: High stocks pressure prices down; low stocks support price increases
- Futures Markets: Shanghai Futures Exchange steel futures influence spot market expectations
- Currency Exchange Rates: RMB/USD affects import/export competitiveness
- Speculation: Trader positions and market psychology can amplify price movements
How to Use This Price Guide
- 1Identify your product category — Use the category tabs to filter by product type (coils, structural, stainless, etc.)
- 2Check price trends — Look for color-coded indicators: green (rising), red (falling), gray (stable)
- 3Compare regional prices — Prices vary by location; check the city indicator for each listing
- 4Contact us for quotes — These are market trends only. Get real-time factory pricing by contacting our sales team
Frequently Asked Questions
Why don't you show exact prices per ton?
Steel prices fluctuate multiple times daily and vary significantly by specification, quantity, delivery terms, and region. We show price trends and directional movements to help you understand market dynamics. For accurate quotes based on your specific requirements, please contact our sales team directly.
How often are these price trends updated?
We update our price trend indicators daily at 10:00 AM China Standard Time (CST), based on overnight market activity, futures trading, and spot market transactions from major Chinese steel trading hubs.
What do the percentage changes mean?
The percentages show the 24-hour price movement compared to the previous trading day. For example, +0.5% means prices increased by half a percent, while -0.8% indicates a decrease. These are average movements for representative specifications in the listed city.
Why do prices vary between cities?
Regional price differences reflect transportation costs, local supply-demand balance, mill proximity, and logistics infrastructure. Shanghai typically has higher prices due to export activity and coastal shipping costs, while Tangshan (a major production center) often has lower prices due to abundant local supply.
Are these prices for domestic or export markets?
The trends shown reflect Chinese domestic market prices (ex-works or delivered to local warehouses). Export prices vary based on destination, shipping terms (FOB, CIF, etc.), and international demand. Contact us for export pricing to your specific port or country.
What's the difference between 'Rising' and 'Stable' trends?
'Rising' indicates sustained upward momentum over 3-5 days with continued buyer interest. 'Stable' means prices are relatively flat (±0.3%) or showing only minor fluctuations without clear direction. 'Falling' indicates downward pressure with weakening demand or increasing supply.
How do I get the best price for my order?
Best pricing comes from: (1) ordering during market dips, (2) larger volume commitments, (3) flexible delivery schedules, (4) standard specifications vs. custom requirements, and (5) direct mill relationships. Our team can help optimize your purchasing strategy—contact us with your requirements.
Can I lock in today's price for future delivery?
Yes, we offer price lock contracts for qualified buyers with advance deposits. Terms depend on product type, quantity, and delivery timeframe. Typically available for 1-3 month forward contracts. Contact our sales team to discuss forward pricing options.
