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How to Get Aluminum (ALU) prices using this API for your applications

How to Get Aluminum (ALU) prices using this API for your applications

How to Get Aluminum (ALU) prices using this API for your applications

Introduction

In today's rapidly evolving digital landscape, the demand for real-time data in various industries has never been higher. This is particularly true in the metals market, where accurate pricing information is crucial for traders, manufacturers, and investors alike. One of the most effective ways to access this data is through the Metals-API, a powerful tool that provides real-time and historical pricing for various metals, including Aluminum (XAL). This blog post will delve into the intricacies of Aluminum pricing, the markets it operates in, and how the Metals-API can be leveraged to enhance applications that require up-to-date metal prices.

Metals-API Information

About Aluminum (XAL)

Aluminum, represented by the symbol XAL, is one of the most widely used metals in the world. Its lightweight nature, resistance to corrosion, and excellent conductivity make it a preferred choice in various applications, from aerospace to construction. As industries increasingly embrace digital transformation, the integration of technological innovations and data analytics into metal markets is becoming essential. The Metals-API plays a pivotal role in this transformation by providing developers with the tools needed to access real-time data and insights.

With the rise of smart technology integration, businesses can now utilize advanced analytics to forecast trends, optimize supply chains, and make informed decisions based on real-time pricing data. The future of the aluminum market is poised for growth, driven by advancements in technology and the increasing demand for sustainable materials. By utilizing the Metals-API, developers can create applications that not only track prices but also analyze market trends and provide valuable insights to users.

API Description

The Metals-API offers a comprehensive suite of features designed to empower developers in building next-generation applications. This API provides access to real-time and historical data for various metals, enabling users to make informed decisions based on accurate pricing information. The transformative potential of real-time metals data cannot be overstated, as it allows businesses to respond swiftly to market changes and optimize their operations.

With the Metals-API, developers can access a variety of endpoints that cater to different needs. Whether you're looking for the latest rates, historical data, or conversion capabilities, the Metals-API has you covered. The API's capabilities extend beyond mere data retrieval; it enables developers to integrate advanced analytics, track fluctuations, and even convert between different metal prices.

Key Features and Endpoints

The Metals-API boasts several key features that enhance its usability and functionality:

  • Latest Rates Endpoint: Depending on your subscription plan, this endpoint provides real-time exchange rate data updated every 60 minutes, every 10 minutes, or even more frequently. This is crucial for applications that require the most current pricing information.
  • Historical Rates Endpoint: Access historical rates for most metals dating back to 2019. By appending a specific date, developers can query the Metals-API for past pricing data, which is invaluable for trend analysis and forecasting.
  • Bid And Ask Endpoint: This feature allows users to retrieve real-time bid and ask prices, providing insights into market liquidity and pricing dynamics.
  • Convert Endpoint: The API includes a currency conversion endpoint, enabling users to convert any amount from one metal to another or to/from USD. This is particularly useful for applications that deal with multiple currencies.
  • Time-Series Endpoint: Query the API for daily historical rates between two dates of your choice. This endpoint is ideal for analyzing trends over specific periods.
  • Fluctuation Endpoint: Retrieve information about how prices fluctuate on a day-to-day basis. This feature is essential for understanding market volatility.
  • Carat Endpoint: Access information about gold rates by carat, allowing for precise calculations in jewelry and investment applications.
  • Lowest/Highest Price Endpoint: Query the API to get the lowest and highest prices for a specified date, which is useful for identifying market extremes.
  • Open/High/Low/Close (OHLC) Price Endpoint: This endpoint provides open, high, low, and close prices for a specific time period, essential for traders looking to analyze market performance.
  • Historical LME Endpoint: Access historical rates for LME symbols dating back to 2008, providing a long-term 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 delivered by the Metals-API are relative to USD by default, with all data returned in a structured JSON format.
  • Available Endpoints: The API comes with a constantly updated endpoint returning all available currencies, ensuring users have access to the latest information.
  • Gold Price India Endpoint: Retrieve the latest gold price in India using a dedicated endpoint, catering to regional market needs.
  • News Endpoint: Stay updated with the latest news articles related to various metals, providing context and insights into 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 specific metal pricing into their applications.

API Endpoint Examples and Responses

Understanding how to interact with the Metals-API is crucial for developers. Below are examples of various API endpoints along with their expected responses:

Latest Rates Endpoint

Get real-time exchange rates for all available metals:

{
    "success": true,
    "timestamp": 1747962228,
    "base": "USD",
    "date": "2025-05-23",
    "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"
}

This response indicates a successful request with the latest rates for various metals, including Aluminum (XAL).

Historical Rates Endpoint

Access historical exchange rates for any date since 1999:

{
    "success": true,
    "timestamp": 1747875828,
    "base": "USD",
    "date": "2025-05-22",
    "rates": {
        "XAU": 0.000485,
        "XAG": 0.03825,
        "XPT": 0.000915,
        "XPD": 0.000748
    },
    "unit": "per troy ounce"
}

This response provides historical rates, allowing developers to analyze past pricing trends.

Time-series Endpoint

Get exchange rates for a specific time period:

{
    "success": true,
    "timeseries": true,
    "start_date": "2025-05-16",
    "end_date": "2025-05-23",
    "base": "USD",
    "rates": {
        "2025-05-16": {
            "XAU": 0.000485,
            "XAG": 0.03825,
            "XPT": 0.000915
        },
        "2025-05-18": {
            "XAU": 0.000483,
            "XAG": 0.0382,
            "XPT": 0.000913
        },
        "2025-05-23": {
            "XAU": 0.000482,
            "XAG": 0.03815,
            "XPT": 0.000912
        }
    },
    "unit": "per troy ounce"
}

This response shows the rates over a specified time period, which is essential for trend analysis.

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": 1747962228,
        "rate": 0.000482
    },
    "result": 0.482,
    "unit": "troy ounces"
}

This response indicates a successful conversion from USD to Gold (XAU), providing the equivalent amount in troy ounces.

Fluctuation Endpoint

Track rate fluctuations between two dates:

{
    "success": true,
    "fluctuation": true,
    "start_date": "2025-05-16",
    "end_date": "2025-05-23",
    "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"
}

This response provides insights into how prices have fluctuated over a specified period, which is crucial for traders.

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

Get OHLC data for a specific time period:

{
    "success": true,
    "timestamp": 1747962228,
    "base": "USD",
    "date": "2025-05-23",
    "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"
}

This response provides a comprehensive view of the market's performance over a specified period, essential for technical analysis.

Bid/Ask Endpoint

Get current bid and ask prices for metals:

{
    "success": true,
    "timestamp": 1747962228,
    "base": "USD",
    "date": "2025-05-23",
    "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"
}

This response provides real-time bid and ask prices, which are essential for traders looking to make informed decisions.

Conclusion

The Metals-API is an invaluable resource for developers looking to integrate real-time metal pricing into their applications. With features like the Latest Rates Endpoint, Historical Rates Endpoint, and various conversion capabilities, the API empowers users to make informed decisions based on accurate data. As the demand for real-time information continues to grow, leveraging the Metals-API will enable businesses to stay ahead of the curve in the dynamic metals market.

For more information on how to implement these features and to explore the full capabilities of the Metals-API, visit the Metals-API Documentation. Additionally, for a comprehensive list of supported symbols, check out the Metals-API Supported Symbols page. By utilizing the Metals-API, developers can create innovative applications that harness the power of real-time metals data, driving efficiency and insight in their respective industries.

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