Fetch Aluminum Jan 2026 (ALF26) market prices through this API

Introduction

In the ever-evolving landscape of metal markets, the ability to access real-time data is crucial for developers and businesses alike. This is where the Metals-API comes into play, offering a robust solution for fetching aluminum market prices, specifically for the Jan 2026 contract (ALF26). In this blog post, we will delve into the intricacies of aluminum as a commodity, explore the transformative capabilities of the Metals-API, and provide detailed insights into its various features and endpoints.

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 across various industries, including automotive, aerospace, and construction. As digital transformation sweeps through the metal markets, the integration of technology and data analytics is reshaping how businesses operate. The demand for real-time insights into aluminum prices is growing, driven by factors such as supply chain dynamics, geopolitical influences, and market speculation.

Technological advancements have enabled the development of smart technologies that facilitate the tracking and analysis of metal prices. With the rise of data analytics, stakeholders can now make informed decisions based on comprehensive market insights. The future of aluminum trading is poised for innovation, with possibilities such as automated trading systems and predictive analytics becoming more prevalent.

API Description

The Metals-API is a powerful tool designed to provide developers with access to real-time and historical metal prices, including aluminum. This API empowers users to build next-generation applications that leverage live data for trading, analysis, and reporting. By utilizing the Metals-API, developers can seamlessly integrate metal price data into their applications, enhancing functionality and user experience.

For more information, you can visit the Metals-API Website or check the Metals-API Documentation for detailed guidance on implementation.

Key Features and Endpoints

The Metals-API offers a variety of endpoints, each designed to cater to specific needs in the realm of metal pricing. Here are some of the key features:

Latest Rates Endpoint

The Latest Rates endpoint provides real-time exchange rate data for aluminum and other metals. Depending on your subscription plan, this endpoint can return updates every 60 minutes or even every 10 minutes. This feature is crucial for traders who need to make quick decisions based on the latest market movements.

{
"success": true,
"timestamp": 1764468047,
"base": "USD",
"date": "2025-11-30",
"rates": {
"XAL": 0.434783
},
"unit": "per troy ounce"
}

Historical Rates Endpoint

Accessing historical rates is essential for analyzing trends and making informed predictions. The Historical Rates endpoint allows users to retrieve data dating back to 2019. By appending a specific date to the API call, developers can obtain past prices and analyze market behavior over time.

{
"success": true,
"timestamp": 1764381647,
"base": "USD",
"date": "2025-11-29",
"rates": {
"XAL": 0.432000
},
"unit": "per troy ounce"
}

Bid And Ask Endpoint

This powerful feature enables users to retrieve real-time bid and ask prices for aluminum. The Bid and Ask endpoint is particularly useful for traders looking to understand market depth and make strategic trading decisions.

{
"success": true,
"timestamp": 1764468047,
"base": "USD",
"date": "2025-11-30",
"rates": {
"XAL": {
"bid": 0.434000,
"ask": 0.435000,
"spread": 0.001
}
},
"unit": "per troy ounce"
}

Convert Endpoint

The Convert endpoint allows users to convert any amount from one metal to another or to/from USD. This feature is particularly useful for businesses that deal with multiple currencies and need to streamline their financial operations.

{
"success": true,
"query": {
"from": "USD",
"to": "XAL",
"amount": 1000
},
"info": {
"timestamp": 1764468047,
"rate": 0.434783
},
"result": 434.783,
"unit": "troy ounces"
}

Time-Series Endpoint

The Time-Series endpoint allows users to query the API for daily historical rates between two dates of their choice. This feature is invaluable for conducting in-depth analyses and understanding price movements over specific periods.

{
"success": true,
"timeseries": true,
"start_date": "2025-11-23",
"end_date": "2025-11-30",
"base": "USD",
"rates": {
"2025-11-23": {
"XAL": 0.432000
},
"2025-11-30": {
"XAL": 0.434783
}
},
"unit": "per troy ounce"
}

Fluctuation Endpoint

The Fluctuation endpoint provides insights into how aluminum prices fluctuate on a day-to-day basis. This feature is essential for traders who need to understand volatility and manage risk effectively.

{
"success": true,
"fluctuation": true,
"start_date": "2025-11-23",
"end_date": "2025-11-30",
"base": "USD",
"rates": {
"XAL": {
"start_rate": 0.432000,
"end_rate": 0.434783,
"change": 0.002783,
"change_pct": 0.64
}
},
"unit": "per troy ounce"
}

Open/High/Low/Close (OHLC) Price Endpoint

The OHLC endpoint allows users to retrieve open, high, low, and close prices for aluminum over a specified time period. This data is crucial for technical analysis and helps traders identify trends and potential entry and exit points.

{
"success": true,
"timestamp": 1764468047,
"base": "USD",
"date": "2025-11-30",
"rates": {
"XAL": {
"open": 0.432000,
"high": 0.435000,
"low": 0.430000,
"close": 0.434783
}
},
"unit": "per troy ounce"
}

Historical LME Endpoint

The Historical LME endpoint provides access to historical rates for LME symbols, dating back to 2008. This endpoint is particularly useful for users interested in the London Metal Exchange pricing data.

{
"success": true,
"timestamp": 1764468047,
"base": "USD",
"date": "2025-11-30",
"rates": {
"XAL": 0.434783
},
"unit": "per troy ounce"
}

API Key and Response

Your API Key is essential for accessing the Metals-API. It is passed into the API base URL's access_key parameter, ensuring secure access to the data. The API delivers exchange rates relative to USD by default, and all data is returned in a structured JSON format, making it easy to integrate into applications.

Available Endpoints

The Metals-API comprises 14 different endpoints, each providing unique functionalities. For a complete list of supported symbols, refer to the Metals-API Supported Symbols page.

Conclusion

The Metals-API is a game-changer for developers and businesses looking to harness the power of real-time metal pricing data, particularly for aluminum. With its extensive range of endpoints, including the Latest Rates, Historical Rates, and Fluctuation endpoints, the API provides comprehensive tools for market analysis and trading strategies. As the metal markets continue to evolve, leveraging such innovative technologies will be key to staying ahead of the competition.

For further exploration of the API's capabilities, be sure to check out the Metals-API Documentation and start integrating real-time metal data into your applications today.