How to Get LME Lead (LME-LEAD) prices using this API for your application

Introduction
In the world of commodities trading, understanding the dynamics of lead prices is crucial for investors, traders, and developers alike. The LME Lead (LME-LEAD) prices are pivotal in various industrial applications, and accessing this data through an efficient API can empower developers to create innovative applications. In this blog post, we will explore the significance of lead in the metals market, delve into the capabilities of the Metals-API, and discuss how to effectively retrieve LME Lead prices for your applications.
Metals-API Information
About Lead (XLE)
Lead, represented by the symbol XLE, is a versatile metal widely used in batteries, radiation shielding, and various industrial applications. The digital transformation in metal markets has led to a surge in technological innovations that enhance the way we analyze and trade metals. With the integration of smart technology and data analytics, stakeholders can gain valuable insights into market trends and price fluctuations.
As industries evolve, the demand for real-time data becomes increasingly important. The ability to access accurate and timely information about lead prices can significantly impact decision-making processes. The Metals-API stands at the forefront of this transformation, providing developers with the tools necessary to build next-generation applications that leverage real-time metals data.
API Description
The Metals-API is a powerful tool designed to provide developers with access to real-time and historical metals data. This API empowers users to build applications that can track price movements, analyze trends, and make informed trading decisions. With its robust capabilities, the Metals-API is an essential resource for anyone involved in the metals market.
One of the key 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 have access to the most current information, allowing for timely decision-making. Additionally, the API offers historical data dating back to 2019, enabling users to analyze trends over time.
Key Features and Endpoints
The Metals-API boasts a variety of endpoints that cater to different needs within the metals market. Here are some of the most notable features:
- Latest Rates Endpoint: This endpoint provides real-time exchange rate data for lead and other metals, updated every 60 minutes or more frequently based on your subscription plan. This allows developers to integrate the latest market prices into their applications seamlessly.
- Historical Rates Endpoint: Users can access historical rates for lead and other metals dating back to 2019. By appending a specific date to the API request, developers can retrieve past pricing data, which is invaluable for trend analysis.
- Bid And Ask Endpoint: This feature allows users to retrieve real-time bid and ask prices for lead, providing insights into market liquidity and pricing dynamics.
- Convert Endpoint: The Metals-API includes a currency conversion endpoint, enabling users to convert amounts from one metal to another or to/from USD. This is particularly useful for applications that require multi-currency support.
- Time-Series Endpoint: Developers can query the API for daily historical rates between two dates, allowing for comprehensive analysis of price movements over time.
- Fluctuation Endpoint: This endpoint provides information about how lead prices fluctuate on a day-to-day basis, helping users understand market volatility.
- Lowest/Highest Price Endpoint: Users can query the API to get the lowest and highest prices for lead over a specified period, 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 lead, providing a comprehensive view of market performance.
- Historical LME Endpoint: Access historical rates for LME symbols, including lead, dating back to 2008. This is essential for users looking to analyze long-term trends.
- API Key: Each user is provided with a unique API key that must be included in requests to authenticate and authorize access to the API.
- API Response: The Metals-API delivers exchange rates relative to USD by default, ensuring consistency in data interpretation.
- Supported Symbols Endpoint: This endpoint provides a constantly updated list of all available currencies and metals, ensuring developers have access to the latest information.
- News Endpoint: Users can retrieve the latest news articles related to various metals, keeping them 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 the API's response structure is crucial for effective integration. Below are examples of various endpoint responses:
Latest Rates Endpoint
{
"success": true,
"timestamp": 1749006022,
"base": "USD",
"date": "2025-06-04",
"rates": {
"XLE": 0.000482,
"XAU": 0.000482,
"XAG": 0.03815,
"XPT": 0.000912,
"XPD": 0.000744
},
"unit": "per troy ounce"
}
This response indicates a successful request, providing the latest rates for lead and other metals. The rates
field contains the current price of lead (XLE) relative to USD.
Historical Rates Endpoint
{
"success": true,
"timestamp": 1748919622,
"base": "USD",
"date": "2025-06-03",
"rates": {
"XLE": 0.000485,
"XAU": 0.000485,
"XAG": 0.03825,
"XPT": 0.000915
},
"unit": "per troy ounce"
}
This example shows how to retrieve historical rates for lead on a specific date. The rates
field provides the price of lead on June 3, 2025.
Time-series Endpoint
{
"success": true,
"timeseries": true,
"start_date": "2025-05-28",
"end_date": "2025-06-04",
"base": "USD",
"rates": {
"2025-05-28": {
"XLE": 0.000485
},
"2025-06-04": {
"XLE": 0.000482
}
},
"unit": "per troy ounce"
}
The time-series endpoint allows users to track price changes over a specified period. The response includes rates for lead on different dates, enabling trend analysis.
Convert Endpoint
{
"success": true,
"query": {
"from": "USD",
"to": "XLE",
"amount": 1000
},
"info": {
"timestamp": 1749006022,
"rate": 0.000482
},
"result": 0.482,
"unit": "troy ounces"
}
This response demonstrates the conversion of an amount from USD to lead (XLE). The result
field shows the equivalent amount in troy ounces.
Fluctuation Endpoint
{
"success": true,
"fluctuation": true,
"start_date": "2025-05-28",
"end_date": "2025-06-04",
"base": "USD",
"rates": {
"XLE": {
"start_rate": 0.000485,
"end_rate": 0.000482,
"change": -3.0e-6,
"change_pct": -0.62
}
},
"unit": "per troy ounce"
}
The fluctuation endpoint provides insights into how lead prices have changed over a specified period. The change
and change_pct
fields indicate the price movement, which is essential for traders.
OHLC (Open/High/Low/Close) Endpoint
{
"success": true,
"timestamp": 1749006022,
"base": "USD",
"date": "2025-06-04",
"rates": {
"XLE": {
"open": 0.000485,
"high": 0.000487,
"low": 0.000481,
"close": 0.000482
}
},
"unit": "per troy ounce"
}
This endpoint provides the open, high, low, and close prices for lead, offering a comprehensive view of market performance for a specific date.
Bid/Ask Endpoint
{
"success": true,
"timestamp": 1749006022,
"base": "USD",
"date": "2025-06-04",
"rates": {
"XLE": {
"bid": 0.000481,
"ask": 0.000483,
"spread": 2.0e-6
}
},
"unit": "per troy ounce"
}
The bid/ask endpoint provides current bid and ask prices for lead, which are crucial for traders looking to execute orders at the best possible prices.
Conclusion
In conclusion, accessing LME Lead prices through the Metals-API offers developers a powerful tool for building applications that require real-time and historical metals data. With features such as the latest rates, historical data, and various endpoints for conversion and fluctuation tracking, the Metals-API empowers users to make informed decisions in the dynamic metals market.
As industries continue to evolve and embrace digital transformation, the importance of accurate and timely data cannot be overstated. By leveraging the capabilities of the Metals-API, developers can create innovative solutions that enhance trading strategies and provide valuable insights into market trends.
For more information on how to implement the Metals-API in your applications, refer to the Metals-API Documentation and explore the extensive range of supported symbols on the Metals-API Supported Symbols page. Embrace the future of metals trading with the power of real-time data at your fingertips.