How to retrieve Iron Ore (IRON) prices using this API

Introduction

In the ever-evolving landscape of commodities trading, the ability to retrieve real-time data is crucial for making informed decisions. This is particularly true for Iron Ore (IRON), a vital resource in the steel manufacturing industry. With the advent of APIs, developers can now access up-to-date market prices and historical data with ease. In this blog post, we will explore how to retrieve Iron Ore prices using the Metals-API, delve into the technological innovations transforming metal markets, and discuss the future trends that could shape this industry.

Metals-API Information

About Iron Ore (IRON)

Iron Ore is a key ingredient in steel production, and its market dynamics are influenced by various factors including global demand, mining output, and geopolitical events. The digital transformation in metal markets has led to a surge in technological innovations, enabling traders and developers to leverage data analytics for better decision-making. With the integration of smart technologies, the ability to analyze real-time data has never been more accessible.

As we look towards the future, the possibilities for Iron Ore trading are vast. The integration of advanced data analytics and machine learning algorithms can provide insights into market trends, allowing traders to predict price movements with greater accuracy. The Metals-API plays a pivotal role in this transformation, offering developers the tools they need to build next-generation applications that can harness the power of real-time metals data.

API Description

The Metals-API is a powerful tool designed to provide real-time and historical data on various metals, including Iron Ore. This API empowers developers to create applications that can retrieve the latest market rates, historical trends, and even perform currency conversions. By utilizing the Metals-API, developers can build solutions that enhance trading strategies, optimize inventory management, and improve overall operational efficiency.

One of the standout features of the Metals-API is its ability to deliver real-time exchange rate data. Depending on your subscription plan, the API can return updates every 60 minutes, every 10 minutes, or even more frequently. This level of granularity allows traders to stay ahead of market fluctuations and make timely decisions.

Key Features and Endpoints

The Metals-API offers a variety of endpoints, each designed to cater to specific needs within the metals trading ecosystem. Here are some of the key features:

• Latest Rates Endpoint: This endpoint provides real-time exchange rate data for Iron Ore and other metals. Depending on your subscription, you can receive updates at varying intervals, ensuring you always have the most current information.
• Historical Rates Endpoint: Access historical rates dating back to 2019. This feature allows you to analyze past market trends and make informed predictions about future movements.
• Bid and Ask Endpoint: Retrieve real-time bid and ask prices for Iron Ore. This information is crucial for traders looking to execute buy or sell orders at optimal prices.
• Convert Endpoint: Easily convert any amount from one metal to another or to/from USD. This feature simplifies transactions and helps in understanding the value of metals in different currencies.
• Time-Series Endpoint: Query daily historical rates between two dates of your choice. This is particularly useful for analyzing trends over specific periods.
• Fluctuation Endpoint: Track how Iron Ore prices fluctuate on a day-to-day basis. This endpoint provides insights into market volatility, helping traders adjust their strategies accordingly.
• Open/High/Low/Close (OHLC) Price Endpoint: Get detailed OHLC data for Iron Ore over a specified time period. This information is essential for technical analysis and understanding market behavior.
• Lowest/Highest Price Endpoint: Query the API to find the lowest and highest prices for Iron Ore over a specified timeframe, aiding in market analysis.
• API Key: Your unique API key is required to access the Metals-API. This key is passed into the API base URL's access_key parameter, ensuring secure access to the data.
• API Response: The Metals-API delivers exchange rates relative to USD by default, with all data returned in a structured JSON format for easy integration.
• News Endpoint: Stay updated with the latest news articles related to Iron Ore and other metals, providing context to market movements.

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. This resource is invaluable for developers looking to integrate multiple metals into their applications.

API Endpoint Examples and Responses

Understanding the structure of API responses is crucial for effective integration. Below are examples of various endpoints and their corresponding JSON responses:

Latest Rates Endpoint

Get real-time exchange rates for Iron Ore and other metals:

{
    "success": true,
    "timestamp": 1761789635,
    "base": "USD",
    "date": "2025-10-30",
    "rates": {
        "IRON": 0.000482,
        "XAU": 0.000482,
        "XAG": 0.03815,
        "XPT": 0.000912,
        "XPD": 0.000744
    },
    "unit": "per troy ounce"
}

Historical Rates Endpoint

Access historical exchange rates for Iron Ore:

{
    "success": true,
    "timestamp": 1761703235,
    "base": "USD",
    "date": "2025-10-29",
    "rates": {
        "IRON": 0.000485,
        "XAU": 0.000485,
        "XAG": 0.03825,
        "XPT": 0.000915
    },
    "unit": "per troy ounce"
}

Time-series Endpoint

Get exchange rates for Iron Ore over a specific time period:

{
    "success": true,
    "timeseries": true,
    "start_date": "2025-10-23",
    "end_date": "2025-10-30",
    "base": "USD",
    "rates": {
        "2025-10-23": {
            "IRON": 0.000485,
            "XAU": 0.000485,
            "XAG": 0.03825
        },
        "2025-10-25": {
            "IRON": 0.000483,
            "XAU": 0.000483,
            "XAG": 0.0382
        },
        "2025-10-30": {
            "IRON": 0.000482,
            "XAU": 0.000482,
            "XAG": 0.03815
        }
    },
    "unit": "per troy ounce"
}

Convert Endpoint

Convert any amount from Iron Ore to another metal or to/from USD:

{
    "success": true,
    "query": {
        "from": "USD",
        "to": "IRON",
        "amount": 1000
    },
    "info": {
        "timestamp": 1761789635,
        "rate": 0.000482
    },
    "result": 0.482,
    "unit": "troy ounces"
}

Fluctuation Endpoint

Track rate fluctuations for Iron Ore between two dates:

{
    "success": true,
    "fluctuation": true,
    "start_date": "2025-10-23",
    "end_date": "2025-10-30",
    "base": "USD",
    "rates": {
        "IRON": {
            "start_rate": 0.000485,
            "end_rate": 0.000482,
            "change": -3.0e-6,
            "change_pct": -0.62
        }
    },
    "unit": "per troy ounce"
}

OHLC (Open/High/Low/Close) Price Endpoint

Get OHLC data for Iron Ore over a specified time period:

{
    "success": true,
    "timestamp": 1761789635,
    "base": "USD",
    "date": "2025-10-30",
    "rates": {
        "IRON": {
            "open": 0.000485,
            "high": 0.000487,
            "low": 0.000481,
            "close": 0.000482
        }
    },
    "unit": "per troy ounce"
}

Bid/Ask Endpoint

Get current bid and ask prices for Iron Ore:

{
    "success": true,
    "timestamp": 1761789635,
    "base": "USD",
    "date": "2025-10-30",
    "rates": {
        "IRON": {
            "bid": 0.000481,
            "ask": 0.000483,
            "spread": 2.0e-6
        }
    },
    "unit": "per troy ounce"
}

Conclusion

The Metals-API is a transformative tool for developers looking to access real-time and historical data on Iron Ore and other metals. By leveraging its various endpoints, developers can create applications that enhance trading strategies, optimize inventory management, and provide valuable insights into market trends. As the industry continues to evolve, the integration of advanced technologies and data analytics will play a crucial role in shaping the future of metal markets.

For more information on how to get started with the Metals-API, visit the Metals-API Documentation and explore the Metals-API Supported Symbols page to discover the full range of available metals. Embrace the future of trading with the power of real-time data at your fingertips!