201 J1 J2 J3 J4 J5 Cold-Rolled Stainless Steel Coil Prices

In the global stainless steel market, 201-series cold-rolled stainless steel coils have emerged as one of the most cost-effective materials for architectural decoration, kitchenware manufacturing, and light industrial applications.

However, many buyers still struggle to fully grasp the substantive differences between the various grades-such as J1, J2, J3, J4, and J5. Although price differentials ranging from $50 to $200 per ton are commonplace, a lower unit price does not always translate into a lower total procurement cost. Factors such as nickel content, copper ratio, deep-drawing performance, corrosion resistance, and processing stability directly impact the final product quality, scrap rates, and long-term costs.

 

What is 201 J1 J2 J3 J4 J5 Cold-Rolled Stainless Steel Coil?

The primary distinction among the 201 J1, J2, J3, J4, and J5 grades of cold-rolled stainless steel coils lies in their copper and carbon content; these levels directly influence the material's formability, hardness, and corrosion resistance. These coils undergo a cold-rolling process to enhance their surface finish, dimensional precision, and strength.

 

Key Differences:
Copper Content (Highest to Lowest): J4 > J1 > J3 > J2 > J5. Higher copper content improves the material's ductility and deep-drawing capabilities.
Carbon Content (Highest to Lowest): J5 > J2 > J3 > J1 > J4. Higher carbon content increases the material's hardness and strength, but reduces its formability and corrosion resistance.
Hardness (Highest to Lowest): J5, J2 > J3 > J1 > J4. Grades J2 and J5 possess higher hardness and are relatively more brittle, making them suitable for manufacturing flat sheets and components with simple geometries.
Price (Highest to Lowest): J4 > J1 > J3 > J2, J5. Grade J4 is the most expensive due to its higher copper content.

201 Grade	Estimated Price Range (USD/Ton FOB)	Copper Content
201 J4	$1,150 – $1,350+	Highest (~1.5% - 2.0%)
201 J1	$1,050 – $1,260	Moderate (~0.8% - 1.2%)
201 J3	$850 – $1,020	Low (~0.5% - 0.6%)
201 J2	$920 – $1,120	Minimal (<0.3%)
201 J5	$850 – $1,100	Lowest

 

201, J1, J2, J3, J4, J5 Cold-Rolled Stainless Steel Coil Price Trend Analysis:

Overall Price Trend: From January to May 2026, the prices of 201, J1, J2, J3, J4, and J5 cold-rolled stainless steel coils generally showed an upward trend. Among them, the price of J3 cold-rolled stainless steel coil increased the most, from 7200 CNY/ton in January to 8300 CNY/ton in May, with an overall increase of 1100 CNY/ton, or 15.28%. The price of J5 cold-rolled stainless steel coil increased the least, from 7300 CNY/ton in January to 7750 CNY/ton in May, with an overall increase of 450 CNY/ton, or 6.16%.

 

When J1 prices rise too high, buyers often shift to more cost-effective alternatives such as J4 or J3, creating a substitution effect that drives price linkage across grades. Typically, J4 is priced about RMB 100–300 per ton higher than J3, mainly due to the added value from higher copper content and improved forming performance.

 

201 J1 J2 J3 J4 J5 Cold-Rolled Stainless Steel Coil Supplier

For the 201 J3/J4 2B stainless steel coils supplied by Gnee-specifically regarding No. 4 and Hairline surface finishes-we utilize imported grinding heads to ensure uniform and consistent texture. Furthermore, to meet market demand for 201 narrow strips, Gnee employs precision slitting equipment capable of minimizing burrs and maintaining exceptionally tight width tolerances, thereby effectively safeguarding our customers' stamping dies against potential damage.

 

201 J3 / J4 Cold-Rolled Coil Product Specification

Parameter	Specifications
Grade	201 J3 (Medium Copper) / 201 J4 (High Copper)
Thickness	0.3 mm – 3.0 mm
Width	1000mm, 1219mm, 1250mm, 1500mm (Slitting available)
Surface Finish	2B (Matte), No.4 (Brushed), HL (Hairline), Mirror (8K), BA
Coil ID	508 mm / 610 mm
Edge Condition	Mill Edge / Slit Edge
Tolerance	Thickness: ±0.02mm; Width: ±0.5mm
Cu (Copper) Content	J3: 0.4% - 0.8% | J4: 0.8% - 1.2% (Typical)
Processing Services	Slitting, Cutting-to-length, PVC/PE Coating, Laser Cutting
Standard	ASTM A240, JIS G4305, EN 10088-2, GB/T 3280