Explore methods to get Aluminum - LME 3-month (ALU3M) prices using this API

Introduction

In today's rapidly evolving financial landscape, the demand for real-time data and analytics is paramount, especially in the metals market. One of the key players in this domain is Aluminum, represented by the symbol XAL. Understanding the dynamics of Aluminum prices, particularly the LME 3-month (ALU3M) prices, is crucial for traders, investors, and developers alike. This blog post explores how to access Aluminum prices using the Metals-API, a powerful tool that provides real-time and historical data on various metals, including Aluminum.

Metals-API Information

About Aluminum (XAL)

Aluminum is a versatile metal widely used across various industries, from construction to automotive manufacturing. As the world moves towards digital transformation, the metal markets are also experiencing significant changes. Technological innovations and advancements in data analytics are reshaping how traders and investors interact with market data. The integration of smart technologies allows for more informed decision-making, enabling stakeholders to respond swiftly to market fluctuations.

Data analytics plays a pivotal role in understanding market trends and price movements. By leveraging real-time data, businesses can gain insights into Aluminum pricing, helping them to optimize their operations and strategies. The future of the metals market is likely to be characterized by increased automation, enhanced data visualization, and predictive analytics, all of which can be accessed through the Metals-API.

API Description

The Metals-API is designed to empower developers to build next-generation applications that require real-time metals data. With its robust capabilities, the API provides access to a wealth of information, including the latest rates, historical data, and various endpoints tailored to meet diverse needs.

One of the standout features of the Metals-API is its ability to deliver real-time exchange rate data, updated frequently based on the user's subscription plan. This ensures that developers can access the most current information, which is essential for making timely trading decisions. Additionally, the API supports a wide range of functionalities, including currency conversion, historical rates retrieval, and fluctuation tracking, making it a comprehensive solution for anyone involved in the metals market.

Key Features and Endpoints

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

• Latest Rates Endpoint: This endpoint provides real-time exchange rate data for Aluminum and other metals. Depending on your subscription plan, you can receive updates every 60 minutes or even more frequently.
• Historical Rates Endpoint: Access historical rates dating back to 2019 by appending a specific date to your query. This feature is invaluable for analyzing past market trends and making informed predictions.
• Bid and Ask Endpoint: Retrieve real-time bid and ask prices for Aluminum, allowing traders to gauge market sentiment and make strategic decisions.
• Convert Endpoint: Easily convert any amount from one metal to another or to/from USD. This feature simplifies transactions and helps in understanding the relative value of different metals.
• Time-Series Endpoint: Query the API for daily historical rates between two dates of your choice, providing insights into price movements over time.
• Fluctuation Endpoint: Track how Aluminum prices fluctuate on a day-to-day basis, which is crucial for identifying trends and making timely decisions.
• Lowest/Highest Price Endpoint: Get the lowest and highest prices for Aluminum over a specified period, helping traders identify potential entry and exit points.
• Open/High/Low/Close (OHLC) Price Endpoint: Access detailed OHLC data for Aluminum, which is essential for technical analysis.
• Historical LME Endpoint: Access historical rates for LME symbols, dating back to 2008, allowing for extensive market analysis.
• API Key: Your unique API key is required for authentication and is passed into the API base URL's access_key parameter.
• API Response: The API delivers exchange rates relative to USD, ensuring consistency in data interpretation.
• Available Endpoints: The Metals-API features 14 different endpoints, each providing unique functionalities tailored to various user needs.
• Supported Symbols Endpoint: Access a constantly updated list of all available metal symbols, ensuring you have the latest information at your fingertips.
• News Endpoint: Retrieve the latest news articles related to various metals, keeping you informed about market developments.

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

Understanding how to interact with the Metals-API is crucial for effective data retrieval. Below are examples of various API endpoints and their corresponding JSON responses:

Latest Rates Endpoint

Get real-time exchange rates for all available metals:

{
"success": true,
"timestamp": 1774656623,
"base": "USD",
"date": "2026-03-28",
"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"
}

This response indicates the current exchange rates for various metals, including Aluminum (XAL), which is priced at 0.434783 per troy ounce.

Historical Rates Endpoint

Access historical exchange rates for any date since 1999:

{
"success": true,
"timestamp": 1774570223,
"base": "USD",
"date": "2026-03-27",
"rates": {
"XAU": 0.000485,
"XAG": 0.03825,
"XPT": 0.000915,
"XPD": 0.000748
},
"unit": "per troy ounce"
}

This response shows the historical rates for various metals on a specific date, allowing for trend analysis.

Time-series Endpoint

Get exchange rates for a specific time period:

{
"success": true,
"timeseries": true,
"start_date": "2026-03-21",
"end_date": "2026-03-28",
"base": "USD",
"rates": {
"2026-03-21": {
"XAU": 0.000485,
"XAG": 0.03825,
"XPT": 0.000915
},
"2026-03-23": {
"XAU": 0.000483,
"XAG": 0.0382,
"XPT": 0.000913
},
"2026-03-28": {
"XAU": 0.000482,
"XAG": 0.03815,
"XPT": 0.000912
}
},
"unit": "per troy ounce"
}

This response provides a time-series view of exchange rates, which is essential for analyzing price movements over time.

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": 1774656623,
"rate": 0.000482
},
"result": 0.482,
"unit": "troy ounces"
}

This response indicates the conversion of 1000 USD to its equivalent in Gold (XAU), demonstrating the API's utility in financial transactions.

Fluctuation Endpoint

Track rate fluctuations between two dates:

{
"success": true,
"fluctuation": true,
"start_date": "2026-03-21",
"end_date": "2026-03-28",
"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"
}

This response provides insights into how prices have changed over a specified period, which is crucial for traders looking to capitalize on market movements.

OHLC (Open/High/Low/Close) Endpoint

Get OHLC data for a specific time period:

{
"success": true,
"timestamp": 1774656623,
"base": "USD",
"date": "2026-03-28",
"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 response provides a comprehensive view of the price action for Aluminum and other metals, which is essential for technical analysis.

Bid/Ask Endpoint

Get current bid and ask prices for metals:

{
"success": true,
"timestamp": 1774656623,
"base": "USD",
"date": "2026-03-28",
"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"
}

This response provides the current bid and ask prices, which are critical for traders looking to execute orders at the best possible prices.

Conclusion

The Metals-API is an invaluable resource for anyone involved in the metals market, particularly for those focusing on Aluminum prices. With its extensive range of endpoints and real-time data capabilities, developers can build sophisticated applications that leverage this information for trading, analysis, and decision-making. By understanding how to utilize the API effectively, users can gain a competitive edge in the market.

For more information on how to get started with the Metals-API, visit the Metals-API Website and explore the Metals-API Documentation for detailed guidance on implementation. Additionally, check out the Metals-API Supported Symbols page to familiarize yourself with the various metal symbols available for querying.