Access real-time Aluminum - LME 3-month (ALU3M) prices using this API

Access Real-Time Aluminum - LME 3-Month (ALU3M) Prices Using This API
In today's fast-paced financial landscape, the ability to access real-time data is crucial for making informed decisions. This is especially true in the metals market, where prices can fluctuate rapidly. The Metals-API provides developers with the tools necessary to access real-time Aluminum prices, specifically the LME 3-month (ALU3M) prices, along with a wealth of other metal data. This blog post will delve into the significance of Aluminum in the market, the transformative capabilities of the Metals-API, and how developers can leverage its features to create innovative applications.
Metals-API Information
About Aluminum (XAL)
Aluminum, represented by the symbol XAL, is one of the most widely used metals in the world. Its lightweight, corrosion-resistant properties make it an essential material in various industries, including automotive, aerospace, and construction. As the demand for sustainable and efficient materials grows, Aluminum is at the forefront of the digital transformation in metal markets. Technological innovations, such as advanced data analytics and smart technology integration, are reshaping how businesses interact with metal pricing and trading.
With the rise of Industry 4.0, the integration of data analytics into the metals market has become increasingly important. Companies are now able to analyze market trends, forecast prices, and make data-driven decisions that enhance their operational efficiency. The future of Aluminum trading is not just about the metal itself but also about the technology that supports its market. This is where the Metals-API comes into play.
API Description
The Metals-API is a powerful tool that provides real-time and historical data for various metals, including Aluminum. It empowers developers to build next-generation applications that can analyze and visualize metal prices, track market trends, and facilitate trading decisions. The API's capabilities are designed to support a wide range of use cases, from simple price retrieval to complex data analysis and reporting.
One of the key features of the Metals-API is its ability to deliver real-time exchange rate data. Depending on your subscription plan, the API can provide updates every 60 minutes, every 10 minutes, or even more frequently. This level of granularity allows developers to create applications that respond to market changes in real time, ensuring that users have the most accurate information at their fingertips.
Key Features and Endpoints
The Metals-API offers a variety of endpoints, each designed to provide specific functionalities that cater to the needs of developers. Here are some of the most notable features:
- Latest Rates Endpoint: This endpoint returns real-time exchange rate data for Aluminum and other metals. For example, a request to this endpoint could yield the current price of Aluminum in USD, allowing developers to integrate this information into their applications seamlessly.
- Historical Rates Endpoint: Developers can access historical rates dating back to 2019. This feature is particularly useful for analyzing trends over time and making informed predictions about future price movements.
- Bid And Ask Endpoint: This powerful feature allows users to retrieve real-time bid and ask prices for Aluminum, providing insights into market liquidity and pricing dynamics.
- Convert Endpoint: The Metals-API includes a currency conversion feature, enabling users to convert amounts from one metal to another or to/from USD. This is particularly useful for traders who operate in multiple currencies.
- Time-Series Endpoint: This endpoint allows users to query daily historical rates between two specified dates, making it easier to analyze price movements over specific periods.
- Fluctuation Endpoint: Users can track how Aluminum prices fluctuate on a day-to-day basis, providing valuable insights into market volatility.
- Open/High/Low/Close (OHLC) Price Endpoint: This endpoint provides comprehensive data on the open, high, low, and close prices for Aluminum, which is essential for technical analysis.
- Historical LME Endpoint: Access historical rates for LME symbols, including Aluminum, dating back to 2008. This is invaluable for long-term market analysis.
Each of these endpoints is designed to deliver specific data that can be used in various applications, from trading platforms to analytical tools. Understanding how to utilize these endpoints effectively can significantly enhance the capabilities of any application dealing with metals.
API Endpoint Examples and Responses
To illustrate the capabilities of the Metals-API, let's explore some example responses for key endpoints. These examples will help developers understand the structure of the API responses and how to interpret the data.
Latest Rates Endpoint
{
"success": true,
"timestamp": 1750730414,
"base": "USD",
"date": "2025-06-24",
"rates": {
"XAU": 0.000482,
"XAG": 0.03815,
"XPT": 0.000912,
"XPD": 0.000744,
"XCU": 0.294118,
"XAL": 0.434783,
"XNI": 0.142857,
"XZN": 0.344828
},
"unit": "per troy ounce"
}
The response above shows the latest rates for various metals, including Aluminum (XAL). The "rates" object contains the price per troy ounce, which is crucial for traders and analysts.
Historical Rates Endpoint
{
"success": true,
"timestamp": 1750644014,
"base": "USD",
"date": "2025-06-23",
"rates": {
"XAU": 0.000485,
"XAG": 0.03825,
"XPT": 0.000915,
"XPD": 0.000748
},
"unit": "per troy ounce"
}
This example demonstrates how to access historical rates for a specific date. Developers can use this data to analyze past performance and trends.
Time-Series Endpoint
{
"success": true,
"timeseries": true,
"start_date": "2025-06-17",
"end_date": "2025-06-24",
"base": "USD",
"rates": {
"2025-06-17": {
"XAU": 0.000485,
"XAG": 0.03825,
"XPT": 0.000915
},
"2025-06-19": {
"XAU": 0.000483,
"XAG": 0.0382,
"XPT": 0.000913
},
"2025-06-24": {
"XAU": 0.000482,
"XAG": 0.03815,
"XPT": 0.000912
}
},
"unit": "per troy ounce"
}
The time-series response provides daily rates for the specified period, allowing developers to visualize trends and fluctuations over time.
Convert Endpoint
{
"success": true,
"query": {
"from": "USD",
"to": "XAU",
"amount": 1000
},
"info": {
"timestamp": 1750730414,
"rate": 0.000482
},
"result": 0.482,
"unit": "troy ounces"
}
This example shows how to convert an amount from USD to Aluminum (XAU). The response includes the conversion rate and the result, which is essential for traders dealing with multiple currencies.
Fluctuation Endpoint
{
"success": true,
"fluctuation": true,
"start_date": "2025-06-17",
"end_date": "2025-06-24",
"base": "USD",
"rates": {
"XAU": {
"start_rate": 0.000485,
"end_rate": 0.000482,
"change": -3.0e-6,
"change_pct": -0.62
},
"XAG": {
"start_rate": 0.03825,
"end_rate": 0.03815,
"change": -0.0001,
"change_pct": -0.26
},
"XPT": {
"start_rate": 0.000915,
"end_rate": 0.000912,
"change": -3.0e-6,
"change_pct": -0.33
}
},
"unit": "per troy ounce"
}
The fluctuation endpoint provides insights into how prices have changed over a specified period, which is crucial for understanding market dynamics.
Open/High/Low/Close (OHLC) Price Endpoint
{
"success": true,
"timestamp": 1750730414,
"base": "USD",
"date": "2025-06-24",
"rates": {
"XAU": {
"open": 0.000485,
"high": 0.000487,
"low": 0.000481,
"close": 0.000482
},
"XAG": {
"open": 0.03825,
"high": 0.0383,
"low": 0.0381,
"close": 0.03815
},
"XPT": {
"open": 0.000915,
"high": 0.000918,
"low": 0.00091,
"close": 0.000912
}
},
"unit": "per troy ounce"
}
This endpoint provides critical data for traders, allowing them to analyze price movements throughout the trading day.
Bid/Ask Endpoint
{
"success": true,
"timestamp": 1750730414,
"base": "USD",
"date": "2025-06-24",
"rates": {
"XAU": {
"bid": 0.000481,
"ask": 0.000483,
"spread": 2.0e-6
},
"XAG": {
"bid": 0.0381,
"ask": 0.0382,
"spread": 0.0001
},
"XPT": {
"bid": 0.000911,
"ask": 0.000913,
"spread": 2.0e-6
}
},
"unit": "per troy ounce"
}
The bid/ask endpoint is essential for understanding market liquidity and making informed trading decisions.
Conclusion
The Metals-API is a transformative tool for developers looking to access real-time Aluminum prices and other metal data. By leveraging its extensive features, including the latest rates, historical data, and various conversion options, developers can create powerful applications that enhance trading strategies and market analysis.
As the metals market continues to evolve, the integration of smart technology and data analytics will play a crucial role in shaping its future. The Metals-API not only provides access to vital data but also empowers developers to innovate and push the boundaries of what's possible in the metals trading landscape.
For more information, visit the Metals-API Website and explore the Metals-API Documentation for detailed guidance on implementing these features in your applications. To view a comprehensive list of supported symbols, check out the Metals-API Supported Symbols page.