How to Get Real-Time Aluminum - LME 3-month (ALU3M) Prices with Metals-API

Metals-API provides a robust solution for accessing real-time aluminum prices, including the LME 3-month (ALU3M) rates. In this blog post, we will explore how to effectively utilize the Metals-API to retrieve real-time aluminum market prices, including step-by-step instructions and example API calls.

Understanding Aluminum and Its Market Dynamics

XAL, is a vital metal in various industries, including construction, automotive, and packaging. The digital transformation in metal markets has led to technological innovations that enhance data analytics and insights. As businesses increasingly rely on smart technology integration, having access to real-time data becomes crucial for making informed decisions.

Metals-API Overview

Metals-API is a powerful tool designed to provide real-time and historical data for various metals, including aluminum. The API offers a range of endpoints that allow users to access the latest rates, historical data, and other valuable information. This API empowers developers to create next-generation applications that can analyze market trends and provide actionable insights.

Key Features of Metals-API

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. For example, you can retrieve the latest aluminum price with a simple API call.
Historical Rates Endpoint: Access historical rates dating back to 2019. This feature allows you to analyze price trends over time, which is essential for forecasting and strategic planning.
Bid and Ask Endpoint: Retrieve real-time bid and ask prices for aluminum, providing insights into market liquidity and pricing dynamics.
Convert Endpoint: Easily convert any amount from one metal to another or to/from USD, facilitating seamless transactions and calculations.
Time-Series Endpoint: Query the API for daily historical rates between two dates, enabling comprehensive analysis of price movements.
Fluctuation Endpoint: Track how aluminum prices fluctuate on a day-to-day basis, providing insights into market volatility.
Open/High/Low/Close (OHLC) Price Endpoint: Get detailed OHLC data for aluminum prices over a specified time period, essential for technical analysis.
Historical LME Endpoint: Access historical rates for LME symbols, including aluminum, dating back to 2008, which is crucial for long-term analysis.
API Key: Your unique API key is required to authenticate your requests, ensuring secure access to the data.
API Response: The API delivers exchange rates relative to USD, with all data returned in a structured JSON format.
Supported Symbols Endpoint: Retrieve a constantly updated list of all available metal symbols, ensuring you have access to the latest data.
News Endpoint: Get the latest news articles related to various metals, keeping you informed about market developments.

Accessing Real-Time Aluminum Prices

Step 1: Sign Up for Metals-API

Metals-API Website. Once registered, you will receive an API key that will be used to authenticate your requests.

Step 2: Make an API Call to Retrieve Latest Rates

GET https://metals-api.com/api/latest?access_key=YOUR_API_KEY&symbols=XAL

YOUR_API_KEY with your actual API key. The response will provide you with the latest aluminum price along with other metals.

Example Response for Latest Rates Endpoint

{
    "success": true,
    "timestamp": 1755651725,
    "base": "USD",
    "date": "2025-08-20",
    "rates": {
        "XAL": 0.434783
    },
    "unit": "per troy ounce"
}

Step 3: Access Historical Data

GET https://metals-api.com/api/historical?access_key=YOUR_API_KEY&date=YYYY-MM-DD&symbols=XAL

YYYY-MM-DD with the desired date to retrieve historical data for that specific day.

Example Response for Historical Rates Endpoint

{
    "success": true,
    "timestamp": 1755565325,
    "base": "USD",
    "date": "2025-08-19",
    "rates": {
        "XAL": 0.430000
    },
    "unit": "per troy ounce"
}

Step 4: Utilize the Time-Series Endpoint

GET https://metals-api.com/api/timeseries?access_key=YOUR_API_KEY&start_date=YYYY-MM-DD&end_date=YYYY-MM-DD&symbols=XAL

Example Response for Time-Series Endpoint

{
    "success": true,
    "timeseries": true,
    "start_date": "2025-08-13",
    "end_date": "2025-08-20",
    "base": "USD",
    "rates": {
        "2025-08-13": {
            "XAL": 0.430000
        },
        "2025-08-15": {
            "XAL": 0.432000
        },
        "2025-08-20": {
            "XAL": 0.434783
        }
    },
    "unit": "per troy ounce"
}

Advanced Features and Use Cases

Bid and Ask Prices

GET https://metals-api.com/api/bid-ask?access_key=YOUR_API_KEY&symbols=XAL

Example Response for Bid and Ask Endpoint

{
    "success": true,
    "timestamp": 1755651725,
    "base": "USD",
    "date": "2025-08-20",
    "rates": {
        "XAL": {
            "bid": 0.434000,
            "ask": 0.435000,
            "spread": 0.001000
        }
    },
    "unit": "per troy ounce"
}

Fluctuation Tracking

GET https://metals-api.com/api/fluctuation?access_key=YOUR_API_KEY&start_date=YYYY-MM-DD&end_date=YYYY-MM-DD&symbols=XAL

Example Response for Fluctuation Endpoint

{
    "success": true,
    "fluctuation": true,
    "start_date": "2025-08-13",
    "end_date": "2025-08-20",
    "base": "USD",
    "rates": {
        "XAL": {
            "start_rate": 0.430000,
            "end_rate": 0.434783,
            "change": 0.004783,
            "change_pct": 1.11
        }
    },
    "unit": "per troy ounce"
}

Security and Best Practices

Always keep your API key confidential and do not expose it in public repositories.
Implement rate limiting to avoid exceeding your quota and ensure smooth operation.
Handle errors gracefully and implement retry logic for failed requests.
Validate and sanitize all input data to prevent injection attacks.

Conclusion

Metals-API Documentation and explore the Metals-API Supported Symbols for a comprehensive list of available metals. By leveraging the capabilities of the Metals-API, you can stay ahead in the rapidly evolving world of metal markets.

Ready to use Metals-API?

Try it now!

How to Get Real-Time Aluminum - LME 3-month (ALU3M) Prices with Metals-API