Query Aluminum Jan 2026 (ALF26) Historical Prices via this API

Introduction

In the ever-evolving landscape of metal markets, the demand for accurate and timely data is paramount. For developers and analysts looking to query historical prices of aluminum, the Metals-API offers a robust solution. This blog post will delve into the intricacies of querying historical prices for aluminum (symbol: XAL) using the Metals-API, exploring its capabilities, features, and the transformative potential of real-time metals data.

About Aluminum (XAL)

Aluminum is one of the most widely used metals in the world, known for its lightweight, corrosion resistance, and versatility. As industries increasingly embrace digital transformation, the aluminum market is witnessing significant technological innovations and advancements. The integration of smart technologies and data analytics is reshaping how businesses operate, enabling them to make informed decisions based on real-time data.

In this context, the Metals-API stands out as a powerful tool that empowers developers to build next-generation applications. By providing access to historical and real-time data, the API facilitates deeper insights into market trends, price fluctuations, and investment opportunities. As we look to the future, the potential for integrating advanced analytics and machine learning with metals data is immense, paving the way for smarter, more efficient market operations.

Metals-API Overview

The Metals-API is a comprehensive JSON API that provides real-time and historical data for various metals, including aluminum. It is designed to cater to the needs of developers, analysts, and businesses looking to leverage metals data for various applications. The API offers a wide range of endpoints, each serving a unique purpose, from retrieving the latest rates to accessing historical data.

Key Features of Metals-API

The Metals-API boasts several key features that make it an invaluable resource for developers:

• Latest Rates Endpoint: Depending on your subscription plan, this endpoint returns real-time exchange rate data for metals, updated every 60 minutes or more frequently.
• Historical Rates Endpoint: Access historical rates for most metals dating back to 2019, allowing users to analyze price trends over time.
• Bid and Ask Endpoint: Retrieve real-time bid and ask prices for metals, providing insights into market liquidity.
• Convert Endpoint: Convert any amount from one metal to another or to/from USD, facilitating seamless transactions.
• Time-Series Endpoint: Query daily historical rates between two dates of your choice, enabling detailed analysis of price movements.
• Fluctuation Endpoint: Track how metal prices fluctuate on a day-to-day basis, offering insights into market volatility.
• Open/High/Low/Close (OHLC) Price Endpoint: Get OHLC data for a specific time period, essential for technical analysis.
• Historical LME Endpoint: Access historical rates for LME symbols dating back to 2008, crucial for understanding long-term market trends.
• API Key: A unique key that is passed into the API base URL's access_key parameter for authentication.
• API Response: Exchange rates are delivered relative to USD, with all data returned in a structured format.

Exploring the API Endpoints

Understanding the various endpoints of the Metals-API is crucial for effectively querying historical prices for aluminum. Below, we explore some of the most relevant endpoints in detail.

Latest Rates Endpoint

The Latest Rates Endpoint provides real-time exchange rates for all available metals, including aluminum. This endpoint is particularly useful for developers looking to integrate live pricing data into their applications.

{
    "success": true,
    "timestamp": 1759363251,
    "base": "USD",
    "date": "2025-10-02",
    "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"
}

In this response, the rates object contains the current price of aluminum (XAL) expressed in troy ounces. Developers can utilize this data to display live prices on their platforms or to trigger alerts based on price changes.

Historical Rates Endpoint

The Historical Rates Endpoint allows users to access historical exchange rates for any date since 1999. This feature is essential for conducting market analysis and understanding price trends over time.

{
    "success": true,
    "timestamp": 1759276851,
    "base": "USD",
    "date": "2025-10-01",
    "rates": {
        "XAU": 0.000485,
        "XAG": 0.03825,
        "XPT": 0.000915,
        "XPD": 0.000748
    },
    "unit": "per troy ounce"
}

In this example, the response provides historical rates for various metals, including aluminum. By analyzing this data, developers can identify patterns and make informed decisions based on past performance.

Time-Series Endpoint

The Time-Series Endpoint enables users to query the API for daily historical rates between two specified dates. This functionality is particularly useful for conducting in-depth analyses of price movements over time.

{
    "success": true,
    "timeseries": true,
    "start_date": "2025-09-25",
    "end_date": "2025-10-02",
    "base": "USD",
    "rates": {
        "2025-09-25": {
            "XAU": 0.000485,
            "XAG": 0.03825,
            "XPT": 0.000915
        },
        "2025-09-27": {
            "XAU": 0.000483,
            "XAG": 0.0382,
            "XPT": 0.000913
        },
        "2025-10-02": {
            "XAU": 0.000482,
            "XAG": 0.03815,
            "XPT": 0.000912
        }
    },
    "unit": "per troy ounce"
}

This response provides a time series of rates for selected dates, allowing developers to visualize trends and fluctuations in aluminum prices over the specified period.

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 businesses engaged in trading or investing in metals.

{
    "success": true,
    "query": {
        "from": "USD",
        "to": "XAU",
        "amount": 1000
    },
    "info": {
        "timestamp": 1759363251,
        "rate": 0.000482
    },
    "result": 0.482,
    "unit": "troy ounces"
}

In this example, the response indicates that 1000 USD is equivalent to 0.482 troy ounces of gold (XAU). This functionality can be integrated into trading platforms to facilitate seamless transactions.

Fluctuation Endpoint

The Fluctuation Endpoint provides information about how metal prices fluctuate on a day-to-day basis. This data is crucial for understanding market volatility and making informed trading decisions.

{
    "success": true,
    "fluctuation": true,
    "start_date": "2025-09-25",
    "end_date": "2025-10-02",
    "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 illustrates the fluctuations in prices for various metals, including the percentage change over the specified period. Developers can use this data to create alerts or notifications based on significant price movements.

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

The OHLC Price Endpoint provides open, high, low, and close prices for a specific time period. This data is essential for technical analysis and understanding market trends.

{
    "success": true,
    "timestamp": 1759363251,
    "base": "USD",
    "date": "2025-10-02",
    "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 price action for the specified date, allowing traders to make informed decisions based on historical performance.

Bid/Ask Endpoint

The Bid/Ask Endpoint allows users to get current bid and ask prices for metals. This information is crucial for traders looking to execute orders at optimal prices.

{
    "success": true,
    "timestamp": 1759363251,
    "base": "USD",
    "date": "2025-10-02",
    "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 the current bid and ask prices for various metals, allowing traders to assess market conditions and make informed trading decisions.

Conclusion

The Metals-API is a powerful tool for developers and analysts seeking to query historical prices for aluminum and other metals. With its extensive range of endpoints, the API provides real-time and historical data that can be leveraged for various applications, from trading platforms to market analysis tools.

As industries continue to embrace digital transformation, the integration of advanced analytics and smart technologies with metals data will become increasingly important. By utilizing the capabilities of the Metals-API, developers can build innovative applications that empower businesses to make data-driven decisions.

For more information on how to get started with the Metals-API, refer to the Metals-API Documentation and explore the Metals-API Supported Symbols for a comprehensive list of available metals. The future of the aluminum market is bright, and with the right tools, developers can harness the power of real-time data to drive innovation and growth.