Lithium prices are almost always quoted per metric tonne of a specific product, not per tonne of lithium. Knowing which product and which basis a number refers to is the key to comparing prices. Latest levels: see the lithium price chart.
Lithium price per ton: the main quotes
| Product | Typical quote | Recent level | As of |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lithium carbonate, battery grade | US$/t CIF China-Japan-Korea | US$19,750/t | 2 Sep 2026 (Benchmark) |
| Lithium carbonate, battery grade | CNY/t ex-works China, incl. VAT | 122,800 CNY/t | 30 Sep 2026 (Trading Economics) |
| Lithium hydroxide monohydrate | US$/t CIF Asia; CME in US$/kg | US$18,750/t | 2 Sep 2026 (Benchmark) |
| Spodumene concentrate SC6 | US$/t FOB Australia or CIF China | US$2,254/t | 2 Sep 2026 (Benchmark) |
Lithium price per kg and per gram
To convert, divide by 1,000: US$19,750/t is US$19.75/kg or about 2 US cents per gram of lithium carbonate. Because lithium carbonate is only 18.8% lithium, the same price equals about US$105 per kg of contained lithium.
Conversion factors (LCE)
Production and demand are usually reported in tonnes of lithium carbonate equivalent (LCE) or tonnes of lithium content (the USGS uses lithium content). These factors follow directly from molecular weights:
| Compound | Formula | Lithium content | Tonnes LCE per tonne |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lithium metal | Li | 100% | 5.32 |
| Lithium carbonate | Li2CO3 | 18.8% | 1.00 |
| Lithium hydroxide monohydrate | LiOH·H2O | 16.5% | 0.88 |
| Lithium hydroxide (anhydrous) | LiOH | 29.0% | 1.54 |
| Lithium oxide | Li2O | 46.5% | 2.47 |
| Spodumene concentrate, 6% Li2O (SC6) | — | 2.8% | 0.148 (contained, before processing losses) |
Examples: the USGS estimate of 2025 world mine production, about 290,000 t of lithium (excluding the US), equals roughly 1.54 million t LCE (290,000 × 5.32). One tonne of 6% spodumene concentrate contains about 0.148 t LCE, so about 6.7 t of SC6 hold one tonne of LCE before conversion losses; real plants need more because recoveries are below 100%.
Spodumene price per ton vs chemical price
Spodumene (around US$2,000–2,300/t in August–September 2026) looks cheap next to lithium carbonate (around US$18,000–20,000/t), but a tonne of SC6 contains only about 0.15 t LCE, and converting it into battery chemicals costs money. See spodumene price.
Frequently asked questions
How much is lithium per ton?
On 2 September 2026 Benchmark Mineral Intelligence assessed battery-grade lithium carbonate at US$19,750 per tonne CIF Asia and lithium hydroxide at US$18,750 per tonne. In China, lithium carbonate was about 122,800 yuan per tonne on 30 September 2026 (Trading Economics).
How much is lithium per kg?
Divide the per-tonne price by 1,000. At US$19,750 per tonne, battery-grade lithium carbonate costs about US$19.75 per kg; at 122,800 yuan per tonne it is about 122.8 yuan per kg. CME lithium hydroxide futures are quoted directly in US dollars per kilogram.
How much does pure lithium cost per gram?
Bulk battery chemicals cost around 2 US cents per gram of lithium carbonate at late-2026 prices (about 10.5 cents per gram of contained lithium). Small quantities of high-purity lithium metal sold by laboratory suppliers cost far more per gram because of packaging, purity and handling.
Why are Chinese lithium prices higher than CIF Asia prices?
Chinese domestic prices are quoted in yuan per tonne and include 13% value-added tax, delivered ex-works inside China. Seaborne prices are in US dollars, exclude VAT and include cost, insurance and freight to Asian ports.
Sources
- Benchmark Mineral Intelligence, lithium prices page (assessment of 2 September 2026)
- Trading Economics, Lithium (China lithium carbonate, CNY/t) (value for 30 September 2026)
- USGS, Mineral Commodity Summaries 2026: Lithium (February 2026)
- CME Group, Lithium Hydroxide CIF CJK (Fastmarkets) futures