Lithium hydroxide monohydrate (LiOH·H2O) is the lithium chemical used to make high-nickel cathodes (NCM 811, NCA) for long-range electric vehicles. It is made either directly from spodumene or by converting lithium carbonate.
Lithium hydroxide price: recent levels
| Benchmark | Level | As of | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Battery grade, CIF Asia | US$18,750/t (+2.7% w/w) | 2 Sep 2026 | Benchmark |
| Battery grade | US$18,510/t | 10 Aug 2026 | Benchmark |
| China spot, FOB | ~US$10,300/t (Jan) to ~US$11,200/t (Nov) | 2025 | USGS |
| China spot, FOB | ~US$17,000/t (Jan) to ~US$9,900/t (Nov) | 2024 | USGS |
Hydroxide vs carbonate
Until 2022 hydroxide usually carried a premium over carbonate. As LFP batteries (which use carbonate) gained share in EVs and dominated energy storage, carbonate demand grew faster, and in recent assessments hydroxide has traded close to or below carbonate. Benchmark notes the hydroxide market is more price-sensitive because it has fewer producers.
Futures
CME’s cash-settled Lithium Hydroxide CIF CJK (Fastmarkets) futures, launched in 2021, are the most-used Western hedging tool for lithium; Fastmarkets reported record CME lithium hydroxide volumes at the start of 2026. Similar Fastmarkets-referenced contracts are listed by other exchanges including ICE. More: lithium futures.
Specification and handling
Battery grade is typically ≥ 56.5% LiOH with low carbonate (CO2) and metal impurities; lithium content is 16.5%. Lithium hydroxide is corrosive and ships as dangerous goods under UN 2680 (Class 8), and it absorbs CO2 from air, so packaging is airtight.
Lithium is not traded on a single public exchange like gold or oil. The figures on this site are dated reference points from the publishers named in each source list; they are not live quotes and are not investment advice. Paid price-reporting agencies (Fastmarkets, Benchmark Mineral Intelligence, S&P Global Platts, SMM) publish the assessments the industry actually trades on.
Frequently asked questions
What is the lithium hydroxide price?
Benchmark Mineral Intelligence assessed battery-grade lithium hydroxide at US$18,750 per tonne CIF Asia on 2 September 2026, up 2.7% week on week, and at US$18,510 per tonne on 10 August 2026.
Is lithium hydroxide more expensive than lithium carbonate?
It used to trade at a premium because it is needed for high-nickel cathodes and has fewer producers. Since 2023 the relationship has often flipped: in the Benchmark assessment of 2 September 2026 hydroxide (US$18,750/t) was about US$1,000 below carbonate (US$19,750/t), reflecting the growth of LFP batteries, which use carbonate.
How are CME lithium hydroxide futures quoted?
CME Lithium Hydroxide CIF CJK (Fastmarkets) futures cover 1,000 kg, are quoted in US dollars and cents per kilogram, and are cash-settled against the monthly average of Fastmarkets' weekly battery-grade lithium hydroxide CIF China, Japan and Korea assessments.
Sources
- Benchmark Mineral Intelligence, lithium prices page (assessment of 2 September 2026)
- Benchmark Mineral Intelligence, “Lithium Price Watch: What the Forward Curve Is Telling Buyers Now” (prices as of 10 August 2026)
- USGS, Mineral Commodity Summaries 2026: Lithium (February 2026)
- USGS, Mineral Commodity Summaries 2025: Lithium
- CME Group, Lithium Hydroxide CIF CJK (Fastmarkets) futures
- Fastmarkets, “CME lithium hydroxide future contracts in record start to 2026”