Accessing Nickel - LME 3-month (NI3M) prices through this API

In today's fast-paced financial landscape, accessing real-time data is crucial for making informed decisions, especially in the metals market. The Metals-API provides developers with a powerful tool to access Nickel (XNI) prices and other metal data seamlessly. This blog post will delve into the intricacies of Nickel, its markets, and how the Metals-API can be leveraged to access valuable insights and analytics.

About Nickel (XNI)

Nickel is a versatile metal that plays a pivotal role in various industries, particularly in the production of stainless steel and batteries. As the world shifts towards sustainable energy solutions, the demand for Nickel is expected to rise, driven by its use in electric vehicle batteries and renewable energy technologies. This digital transformation in metal markets is fueled by technological innovation and advancements in data analytics, enabling stakeholders to make data-driven decisions.

The integration of smart technology in metal trading is revolutionizing how market participants interact with data. With the rise of data analytics, stakeholders can gain insights into market trends, price fluctuations, and demand forecasts. This shift towards data-driven decision-making is essential for navigating the complexities of the metals market, particularly for Nickel, which is subject to various market forces.

API Description

The Metals-API is designed to provide developers with real-time and historical data on various metals, including Nickel. This API empowers developers to build next-generation applications that can analyze and visualize metal prices, enabling businesses to respond swiftly to market changes. The API's capabilities include accessing real-time exchange rates, historical data, and various endpoints that cater to specific needs.

For detailed information on how to implement the API, developers can refer to the Metals-API Documentation. This resource provides comprehensive guidance on utilizing the API effectively, including authentication, endpoint usage, and response handling.

Key Features and Endpoints

The Metals-API offers a range of endpoints that cater to different data needs. Here are some of the key features:

Latest Rates Endpoint: Depending on your subscription plan, this endpoint returns real-time exchange rate data updated every 60 minutes, every 10 minutes, or even more frequently. This feature is essential for traders who need up-to-the-minute information on Nickel prices.
Historical Rates Endpoint: Access historical rates for Nickel and other metals dating back to 2019. By appending a date in the YYYY-MM-DD format, users can query the API for past prices, allowing for trend analysis and forecasting.
Bid And Ask Endpoint: This powerful feature enables users to retrieve real-time Bid and Ask prices for Nickel, providing insights into market liquidity and pricing dynamics.
Convert Endpoint: The Metals-API includes a currency conversion endpoint that allows users to convert any amount from one metal to another or to/from USD. This is particularly useful for businesses operating in multiple currencies.
Time-Series Endpoint: Users can query the API for daily historical rates between two dates of their choice, facilitating in-depth analysis of price movements over time.
Fluctuation Endpoint: This endpoint provides information about how Nickel prices fluctuate on a day-to-day basis, helping traders understand volatility and market trends.
Lowest/Highest Price Endpoint: Users can query the API to get the lowest and highest price of Nickel for a specified date, aiding in market analysis and decision-making.
Open/High/Low/Close (OHLC) Price Endpoint: This endpoint allows users to retrieve the open, high, low, and close prices for Nickel, providing a comprehensive view of market performance.
Historical LME Endpoint: Access historical rates for LME symbols dating back to 2008, enabling users to analyze long-term trends in Nickel pricing.
API Key: Each user is provided with a unique API Key that must be included in the API base URL's access_key parameter for authentication.
API Response: The Metals-API delivers exchange rates relative to USD by default, ensuring consistency in data interpretation.
Supported Symbols Endpoint: This endpoint returns all available currencies and metals, allowing users to stay updated on the latest symbols supported by the API.
News Endpoint: Retrieve the latest news articles related to various metals, keeping users informed about market developments and trends.

List of Symbols

The Metals-API provides access to a comprehensive range of metal symbols. For a complete list of all supported symbols and their specifications, refer to the Metals-API Supported Symbols page.

API Endpoint Examples and Responses

Latest Rates Endpoint

Get real-time exchange rates for all available metals:

{
"success": true,
"timestamp": 1774311192,
"base": "USD",
"date": "2026-03-24",
"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"
}

Historical Rates Endpoint

Access historical exchange rates for any date since 1999:

{
"success": true,
"timestamp": 1774224792,
"base": "USD",
"date": "2026-03-23",
"rates": {
"XAU": 0.000485,
"XAG": 0.03825,
"XPT": 0.000915,
"XPD": 0.000748
},
"unit": "per troy ounce"
}

Time-series Endpoint

Get exchange rates for a specific time period:

{
"success": true,
"timeseries": true,
"start_date": "2026-03-17",
"end_date": "2026-03-24",
"base": "USD",
"rates": {
"2026-03-17": {
"XAU": 0.000485,
"XAG": 0.03825,
"XPT": 0.000915
},
"2026-03-19": {
"XAU": 0.000483,
"XAG": 0.0382,
"XPT": 0.000913
},
"2026-03-24": {
"XAU": 0.000482,
"XAG": 0.03815,
"XPT": 0.000912
}
},
"unit": "per troy ounce"
}

Convert Endpoint

Convert any amount from one metal to another or to/from USD:

{
"success": true,
"query": {
"from": "USD",
"to": "XAU",
"amount": 1000
},
"info": {
"timestamp": 1774311192,
"rate": 0.000482
},
"result": 0.482,
"unit": "troy ounces"
}

Fluctuation Endpoint

Track rate fluctuations between two dates:

{
"success": true,
"fluctuation": true,
"start_date": "2026-03-17",
"end_date": "2026-03-24",
"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"
}

OHLC (Open/High/Low/Close) Endpoint

Get OHLC data for a specific time period:

{
"success": true,
"timestamp": 1774311192,
"base": "USD",
"date": "2026-03-24",
"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"
}

Bid/Ask Endpoint

Get current bid and ask prices for metals:

{
"success": true,
"timestamp": 1774311192,
"base": "USD",
"date": "2026-03-24",
"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"
}

Conclusion

Accessing Nickel prices and other metal data through the Metals-API opens up a world of possibilities for developers and businesses alike. With its robust features and endpoints, the API empowers users to harness the power of real-time data, enabling informed decision-making in an ever-evolving market landscape. By leveraging the capabilities of the Metals-API, stakeholders can stay ahead of market trends, optimize their trading strategies, and ultimately drive success in their respective industries.

For further exploration of the API's capabilities, developers are encouraged to visit the Metals-API Documentation for detailed guidance and implementation strategies. Additionally, the Metals-API Supported Symbols page provides a comprehensive list of available metal symbols, ensuring users have access to the most relevant data for their needs.

In a world where data is king, the Metals-API stands out as a transformative tool for accessing and analyzing metal prices, paving the way for innovative applications and solutions in the metals market.

Ready to use Metals-API?

Try it now!

Accessing Nickel - LME 3-month (NI3M) prices through this API