US Rebar Market Overview — September 2026
The US rebar market has stabilized after the volatility seen in early 2026. Domestic mills (Nucor, CMC, Gerdau) have maintained steady output, while import volumes from Turkey and Mexico remain elevated. Current benchmark pricing sits near the 12-month average, with regional variations driven by freight and local demand.
Current Rebar Prices by Size
| Bar Size | Diameter | Weight (lb/ft) | $/ton (FOB mill) | $/ton (delivered) |
|---|
| #3 | 3/8" | 0.376 | $720 | $780 – 840 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| #4 | 1/2" | 0.668 | $705 | $765 – 820 |
| #5 | 5/8" | 1.043 | $695 | $755 – 810 |
| #6 | 3/4" | 1.502 | $690 | $750 – 800 |
| #7 | 7/8" | 2.044 | $685 | $745 – 795 |
| #8 | 1" | 2.670 | $680 | $740 – 790 |
| #9 | 1-1/8" | 3.400 | $690 | $750 – 800 |
| #10 | 1-1/4" | 4.303 | $700 | $760 – 820 |
| #11 | 1-3/8" | 5.313 | $710 | $770 – 830 |
Regional Price Variations
| Region | $/ton Premium vs Southeast |
|---|
| Southeast (base) | — |
|---|---|
| Midwest | +$15 – 30 |
| Northeast | +$25 – 45 |
| West Coast | +$40 – 65 |
| Mountain/Plains | +$30 – 50 |
West Coast premiums reflect higher freight from domestic mills and competition with imported material arriving at Pacific ports.
12-Month Price Trend
| Month | $/ton (FOB mill, #5) |
|---|
| Oct 2025 | $730 |
|---|---|
| Nov 2025 | $720 |
| Dec 2025 | $705 |
| Jan 2026 | $695 |
| Feb 2026 | $690 |
| Mar 2026 | $685 |
| Apr 2026 | $680 |
| May 2026 | $683 |
| Jun 2026 | $688 |
| Jul 2026 | $692 |
| Aug 2026 | $694 |
| Sep 2026 | $695 |
The market bottomed in April 2026 and has shown modest recovery through late summer, driven by infrastructure spending and seasonal construction demand.
Mill vs Distributor Pricing
| Source | Typical Premium | Minimum Order |
|---|
| Direct from mill | Base price | 20-40 tons |
|---|---|---|
| Service center | +$40-80/ton | 1 ton |
| Local distributor | +$80-150/ton | 1 bundle |
| Retail (per stick) | +$200-400/ton equiv. | 1 bar |
For projects under 20 tons, service centers offer the best balance of price and flexibility. Above that threshold, direct mill orders yield significant savings.
Import vs Domestic
| Origin | $/ton CIF US Port | Market Share |
|---|
| US domestic | $680-710 (FOB mill) | ~72% |
|---|---|---|
| Turkey | $620-660 (CIF) | ~12% |
| Mexico | $640-670 (CIF) | ~8% |
| Other (Japan, Spain) | $650-700 (CIF) | ~8% |
Imported rebar offers a $30-60/ton advantage, but lead times of 8-12 weeks and Section 232 tariff exposure (currently at 25%) reduce the effective savings.
Factors Driving 2026 Prices
Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA)
Federal infrastructure spending continues to support demand. Highway and bridge projects consumed an estimated 2.8 million tons of rebar in the first half of 2026.
Scrap steel pricing
Rebar is predominantly EAF-produced from scrap. #1 HMS scrap at $370-390/gross ton in September 2026 forms the price floor for rebar.
Energy costs
Natural gas prices have moderated to $2.80/MMBtu, providing cost relief for EAF mills compared to $3.40 in Q1 2026.
How to Get Better Rebar Prices
1. Consolidate orders — combine multiple pours into one rebar order
2. Order early — 4-6 week lead time gets mill-direct pricing
3. Accept mill substitutions — domestic vs import flexibility
4. Negotiate by the truckload — 20-ton minimum for best rates
5. Lock pricing — fixed-price contracts for large projects
Track Prices with IronBid
IronBid includes a real-time rebar price tracker covering US domestic mills and major import sources. Generate estimates with current pricing, set price alerts, and lock in quotes directly from the platform.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a ton of rebar cost in the US right now?
As of September 2026, Grade 60 rebar costs $680-710 per ton FOB mill in the US Southeast. Delivered to metro areas, expect $740-840/ton depending on bar size, region, and order volume.
What is the cheapest rebar size?
#6 through #8 bars typically have the lowest per-ton prices because they're the most commonly produced sizes with the highest mill throughput.
Are rebar prices going up or down in 2026?
After a decline from October 2025 through April 2026, prices have recovered modestly. Most analysts expect prices to remain stable through year-end, with potential upside from infrastructure project activity.