Query Zinc (ZNC) prices using this API

Introduction

In the rapidly evolving world of finance and commodities, the ability to query Zinc (ZNC) prices in real-time is crucial for traders, analysts, and developers alike. The Metals-API provides a robust platform for accessing real-time and historical data on various metals, including Zinc. This blog post delves into the transformative potential of the Metals-API, exploring its features, capabilities, and how it empowers developers to create next-generation applications in the metal markets.

About Zinc (ZNC)

Zinc is a vital metal used in various industries, from construction to electronics. As the demand for Zinc continues to grow, understanding its market dynamics becomes increasingly important. The digital transformation in metal markets is reshaping how traders and businesses interact with commodities. With technological innovations and advancements in data analytics, stakeholders can now gain deeper insights into market trends and make informed decisions.

The integration of smart technology into the metal markets allows for real-time tracking of prices and fluctuations, enabling users to respond swiftly to market changes. Future trends indicate that the demand for real-time data will only increase, making APIs like the Metals-API indispensable for anyone involved in the metal trading ecosystem.

API Description

The Metals-API is a powerful tool designed to provide developers with real-time and historical data on metal prices. It offers a wide array of functionalities that can be leveraged to build innovative applications. With its user-friendly interface and comprehensive documentation, developers can easily integrate the API into their systems.

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 capability is essential for applications that require up-to-the-minute information on metal prices. The API also supports a variety of endpoints, each designed to cater to specific data needs, such as historical rates, conversion rates, and fluctuation tracking.

For more detailed information on how to utilize the API, developers can refer to the Metals-API Documentation.

Key Features and Endpoints

The Metals-API boasts a range of features that cater to various data requirements. Here’s a closer look at some of the key endpoints and their applications:

Latest Rates Endpoint

The Latest Rates Endpoint provides real-time exchange rate data for metals, including Zinc. Depending on the subscription plan, users can receive updates every 60 minutes, every 10 minutes, or even more frequently. This endpoint is crucial for applications that require current pricing information to make trading decisions.

{
"success": true,
"timestamp": 1782259884,
"base": "USD",
"date": "2026-06-24",
"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

The Historical Rates Endpoint allows users to access historical exchange rates for most currencies dating back to 2019. This feature is particularly useful for analysts looking to study market trends over time. By appending a specific date to the API request, users can retrieve historical data that can inform future trading strategies.

{
"success": true,
"timestamp": 1782173484,
"base": "USD",
"date": "2026-06-23",
"rates": {
"XAU": 0.000485,
"XAG": 0.03825,
"XPT": 0.000915,
"XPD": 0.000748
},
"unit": "per troy ounce"
}

Bid And Ask Endpoint

The Bid and Ask Endpoint is a powerful feature that enables users to retrieve real-time bid and ask prices for metals. This information is essential for traders looking to execute buy or sell orders at optimal prices. The bid price represents the highest price a buyer is willing to pay, while the ask price is the lowest price a seller is willing to accept.

{
"success": true,
"timestamp": 1782259884,
"base": "USD",
"date": "2026-06-24",
"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"
}

Convert Endpoint

The Convert Endpoint allows users to convert any amount from one metal to another or to/from USD. This feature is particularly useful for traders who need to quickly assess the value of their holdings in different currencies.

{
"success": true,
"query": {
"from": "USD",
"to": "XAU",
"amount": 1000
},
"info": {
"timestamp": 1782259884,
"rate": 0.000482
},
"result": 0.482,
"unit": "troy ounces"
}

Time-Series Endpoint

The Time-Series Endpoint allows users to query the API for daily historical rates between two dates of their choice. This feature is invaluable for conducting in-depth market analysis and understanding price movements over specific periods.

{
"success": true,
"timeseries": true,
"start_date": "2026-06-17",
"end_date": "2026-06-24",
"base": "USD",
"rates": {
"2026-06-17": {
"XAU": 0.000485,
"XAG": 0.03825,
"XPT": 0.000915
},
"2026-06-19": {
"XAU": 0.000483,
"XAG": 0.0382,
"XPT": 0.000913
},
"2026-06-24": {
"XAU": 0.000482,
"XAG": 0.03815,
"XPT": 0.000912
}
},
"unit": "per troy ounce"
}

Fluctuation Endpoint

The Fluctuation Endpoint provides insights into how metal prices fluctuate on a day-to-day basis. By tracking rate changes between two dates, users can gain a better understanding of market volatility and make informed trading decisions.

{
"success": true,
"fluctuation": true,
"start_date": "2026-06-17",
"end_date": "2026-06-24",
"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"
}

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

The OHLC Price Endpoint allows users to retrieve the open, high, low, and close prices for a specific time period. This data is essential for traders who rely on candlestick charts and other technical analysis tools to make informed decisions.

{
"success": true,
"timestamp": 1782259884,
"base": "USD",
"date": "2026-06-24",
"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"
}

Historical LME Endpoint

The Historical LME Endpoint provides access to historical rates for LME symbols dating back to 2008. This endpoint is particularly useful for users interested in the London Metal Exchange (LME) prices and trends.

API Key and Authentication

To access the Metals-API, users must obtain an API key, which is passed into the API base URL's access_key parameter. This key ensures that only authorized users can access the data, providing a layer of security and control over API usage.

API Response Structure

The exchange rates delivered by the Metals-API are, by default, relative to USD. All data is returned in a structured JSON format, making it easy for developers to parse and utilize the information in their applications. Understanding the response structure is crucial for effective integration and data manipulation.

List of Symbols

The Metals-API provides access to a comprehensive range of metal symbols, including Zinc (ZNC). 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 understand the available data points and how to utilize them effectively.

Conclusion

The Metals-API stands as a transformative tool in the metal markets, offering developers the ability to access real-time and historical data on metals like Zinc. With its extensive range of endpoints and features, the API empowers users to build sophisticated applications that can analyze market trends, track fluctuations, and make informed trading decisions.

As the demand for real-time data continues to grow, leveraging the capabilities of the Metals-API will be essential for anyone involved in the metal trading ecosystem. For further exploration of the API's functionalities, developers are encouraged to visit the Metals-API Documentation and start integrating this powerful tool into their applications.