Get iShares Gold Trust (IAU) prices programmatically with this API

Get iShares Gold Trust (IAU) Prices Programmatically with this API

In the ever-evolving landscape of financial markets, the ability to access real-time data is paramount for traders, investors, and developers alike. One of the most sought-after assets in the financial world is gold, represented by the symbol XAU. The Metals-API provides a robust solution for accessing gold prices programmatically, enabling developers to integrate this valuable data into their applications seamlessly. This blog post will delve into the intricacies of the Metals-API, its capabilities, and how it can empower you to harness the power of gold market data.

About Gold (XAU)

Gold has long been a symbol of wealth and stability, often serving as a hedge against inflation and economic uncertainty. In recent years, the digital transformation of precious metals has opened new avenues for trading and investment. With the integration of data analytics and technology, traders can now gain deeper insights into market trends and make informed decisions based on real-time data.

The rise of digital asset solutions has also transformed how investors approach gold. By leveraging APIs like the Metals-API, developers can create applications that provide users with up-to-the-minute gold prices, historical data, and analytical tools that enhance trading strategies. This innovation in price discovery is crucial for both individual investors and institutional traders looking to capitalize on market fluctuations.

API Description

The Metals-API is a powerful tool that provides real-time and historical data for various metals, including gold, silver, platinum, and palladium. With its advanced capabilities, the API allows developers to build next-generation applications that can analyze and visualize metal prices effectively. The API is designed with a focus on innovation and technological advancement, making it an essential resource for anyone looking to integrate metals data into their systems.

For detailed information on how to get started, you can refer to the Metals-API Documentation, which outlines the various endpoints and their functionalities.

Key Features and Endpoints

The Metals-API offers a variety of endpoints that cater to different needs, allowing developers to access real-time and historical data efficiently. 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 the latest market information to make timely decisions.
• Historical Rates Endpoint: Access historical rates for most currencies dating back to 2019. By appending a specific date to your query, you can retrieve past data, which is invaluable for trend analysis and forecasting.
• Bid And Ask Endpoint: This powerful feature allows you to retrieve real-time bid and ask prices for metals, giving you insights into market liquidity and pricing dynamics.
• Convert Endpoint: The API includes a currency conversion endpoint, enabling you to convert any amount from one metal to another or to/from USD. This is particularly useful for traders dealing in multiple currencies.
• Time-Series Endpoint: Query the API for daily historical rates between two dates of your choice. This feature is perfect for analyzing price movements over specific periods.
• Fluctuation Endpoint: Retrieve information about how currencies fluctuate on a day-to-day basis, allowing you to track volatility and make informed trading decisions.
• Carat Endpoint: Access gold rates by carat, which is essential for jewelers and those involved in the jewelry market.
• Lowest/Highest Price Endpoint: Query the API to get the lowest and highest price for a specified date, helping you identify price extremes.
• Open/High/Low/Close (OHLC) Price Endpoint: Get the open, high, low, and close prices for a specific time period, which is crucial for technical analysis.
• Historical LME Endpoint: Access historical rates for LME symbols dating back to 2008, providing a comprehensive view of market trends.
• API Key: Your unique API key is required to access the API, ensuring secure and authorized usage.
• API Response: Exchange rates are delivered relative to USD by default, with all data returned in a structured JSON format.
• Available Endpoints: The Metals-API includes 14 different endpoints, each providing unique functionalities to cater to various user needs.
• Supported Symbols Endpoint: This constantly updated endpoint returns all available currencies, ensuring you have access to the latest information.
• Gold Price India Endpoint: Retrieve the latest gold price in India using this dedicated endpoint, which is particularly useful for local traders.
• News Endpoint: Stay updated with the latest news articles related to various metals, helping you stay 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 implementation. Below are examples of various endpoints and their JSON responses:

Latest Rates Endpoint

Get real-time exchange rates for all available metals.

{
    "success": true,
    "timestamp": 1758240063,
    "base": "USD",
    "date": "2025-09-19",
    "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": 1758153663,
    "base": "USD",
    "date": "2025-09-18",
    "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": "2025-09-12",
    "end_date": "2025-09-19",
    "base": "USD",
    "rates": {
        "2025-09-12": {
            "XAU": 0.000485,
            "XAG": 0.03825,
            "XPT": 0.000915
        },
        "2025-09-14": {
            "XAU": 0.000483,
            "XAG": 0.0382,
            "XPT": 0.000913
        },
        "2025-09-19": {
            "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": 1758240063,
        "rate": 0.000482
    },
    "result": 0.482,
    "unit": "troy ounces"
}

Fluctuation Endpoint

Track rate fluctuations between two dates.

{
    "success": true,
    "fluctuation": true,
    "start_date": "2025-09-12",
    "end_date": "2025-09-19",
    "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": 1758240063,
    "base": "USD",
    "date": "2025-09-19",
    "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": 1758240063,
    "base": "USD",
    "date": "2025-09-19",
    "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

The Metals-API is an invaluable resource for developers looking to integrate real-time and historical gold prices into their applications. By leveraging the various endpoints, you can create powerful tools that provide insights into market trends, facilitate trading strategies, and enhance user experiences. Whether you are building a trading platform, a financial analysis tool, or a simple application to track gold prices, the Metals-API offers the flexibility and functionality you need.

For more information on how to get started, visit the Metals-API Website and explore the comprehensive Metals-API Documentation. Don't forget to check the Metals-API Supported Symbols page to familiarize yourself with the various metal symbols available for your queries.