201 J1 J2 J3 J4 J5 Cold-Rolled Stainless Steel Coil Prices
May 25, 2026
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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?
201 stainless steel cold-rolled coil is an economical austenitic alloy (characterized by low nickel and high manganese content) produced in the form of large, continuous coils. The designations J1, J2, J3, J4, and J5 represent specific sub-grade standards established by Chinese manufacturers to distinguish variations in carbon, chromium, and copper content.
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 J1 J2 J3 J4 J5 Cold-Rolled Stainless Steel Coil Price per kg
| Grade | Cu (Copper) Content | Hardness (HV) | Surface Finish | Estimated Price (USD/kg) | Primary Application |
| 201 J1 | 0.8% - 1.2% | 160 - 190 | 2B / BA / No.4 | $1.35 – $1.50 | Deep drawing, kitchen sinks, high-end cookware. |
| 201 J3 | 0.4% - 0.6% | 180 - 210 | 2B / BA | $1.28 – $1.40 | General hardware, thermal flasks, light drawing. |
| 201 J4 | 1.0% - 1.5% (High Cr) | 170 - 200 | 2B / BA / HL | $1.30 – $1.45 | Architectural decoration, structural components. |
| 201 J2 | 0.1% - 0.3% | 200 - 230 | 2B / BA | $1.18 – $1.28 | Decorative pipes, simple bends, interior trims. |
| 201 J5 | < 0.1% (Low Cu) | 210 - 240 | 2B / BA | $1.15 – $1.25 | Window frames, handrails, cost-sensitive tubes. |
201, J1, J2, J3, J4, J5 Cold-Rolled Stainless Steel Coil Price Trend Analysis:
January 2026: The prices for 201 and J1 were set at $1.13/kg-representing a premium of 10.0% over J2, 14.1% over J3, 16.5% over J4, and 18.9% over J5.
May 2026: The price of 201 rose to $2.15/kg-representing a premium of 76.2% over J1, 110.8% over J2, 110.8% over J3, 117.2% over J4, and 121.6% over J5.
| Month | 201 Price Change (USD/kg) | J1 Price Change (USD/kg) | J2 Price Change (USD/kg) | J3 Price Change (USD/kg) | J4 Price Change (USD/kg) | J5 Price Change (USD/kg) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Feb-Jan | 0.00 | 0.00 | -0.04 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 |
| Mar-Feb | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | -0.01 | -0.01 |
| Apr-Mar | +0.93 | 0.00 | +0.04 | +0.04 | +0.05 | +0.05 |
| May-Apr | +0.09 | +0.09 | -0.01 | -0.01 | -0.02 | -0.02 |
References & Data Sources:
Metal Bulletin (Fastmarkets) Stainless Steel Price Index.
Mysteel Global Stainless Steel Inventory & Pricing Reports.
Technical Standard: ASTM A240 / GB/T 3280-2015.
Why does the price differ between J1 and J5?
The primary cost driver is Copper (Cu) content.
J1 (High Copper): Higher ductility and "deep drawing" capability. It allows the steel to be stretched into complex shapes (like pots or sinks) without cracking. This makes it the most expensive in the 201 family.
J2/J5 (Low Copper/High Manganese): These are "Economy Grades." They are harder and more brittle. While excellent for flat panels or simple tubes, they are not suitable for deep stretching. Because they use less copper, the price is significantly lower.
When requesting a quote, always specify the Actual Thickness and Copper Content Requirement. For example:"Quote for 201 J1 Cold Rolled Coil, 2B finish, 0.5mm Actual, 1219mm Width, Copper > 0.8%."
Quote for 201 J1 Cold Rolled Coil
How to Properly Purchase 201 Stainless Steel Coils?
There are cases in the market where J5 material is falsely sold as J1. J5 contains a very high manganese content. Although it has higher hardness, its toughness is poor, and it is more likely to crack during deep drawing or forming processes. When purchasing, it is recommended to request a Mill Test Certificate (MTC) from the steel mill or use a spectrometer to check the copper content on-site.
1. Thickness Tolerance (Tolerance Trap)
201 cold-rolled stainless steel coils are usually sold either by theoretical weight or actual weighing. When discussing prices, always confirm the actual thickness tolerance. For example, for a nominal thickness of 0.5 mm, is the actual tolerance -0.03 mm or -0.05 mm? Different tolerances directly affect the actual length per ton of material.
2. Surface Quality
Common surface finishes for cold-rolled 201 stainless steel include 2B, BA, and brushed finishes. Due to the high manganese content in 201 stainless steel, improper processing may result in black spots or rust stains on the surface. Buyers should confirm whether the coils have undergone proper finishing treatment by a reputable mill.
201 j4 Stainless Steel Coil Supplier
GNEE operates advanced, proprietary or jointly managed processing centers, offering a comprehensive suite of value-added services:
1. We provide high-quality surface finishes, including 2B, BA, No.4, HL (Hairline), and 8K Mirror.
2. Equipped with high-precision slitting and cutting machinery, we can accurately process wide coils into narrow strips or cut-to-length sheets, maintaining thickness tolerances that far exceed industry standards.
3. For challenging thin-gauge cold-rolled coils specifically in the 0.3mm to 0.8mm range,we guarantee exceptional surface flatness and brightness.
Every batch of stainless steel supplied by GNEE is accompanied by an original Manufacturer Test Certificate (MTC) and is eligible for third-party Positive Material Identification (PMI) testing.
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 |
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