Rebar in Canada is priced by weight, usually per metric tonne or per kilogram, and the rate on any given day is set by the steel market plus the specifics of your order. Market factors such as scrap prices, trade measures and the Canadian dollar move the base rate, while bar size, fabrication, quantity and delivery decide what your job actually costs.
That is why we don't publish a rebar price per tonne: a number printed today would mislead someone pricing a different order next month. What follows is how pricing works, what moves it, and how to compare quotes properly.
Units: tonne, kg, ton and hundredweight
Mixing up units is the most common way to misread a rebar price, especially when comparing Canadian and American sources.
| Unit | Equals | Where you will see it |
|---|---|---|
| Metric tonne (t) | 1,000 kg (about 2,205 lb) | Canadian quotes, mill and fabricator pricing |
| Kilogram (kg) | 1/1,000 of a tonne | Smaller orders, per-kg rates |
| Short ton | 2,000 lb (about 907 kg) | Most US pricing and "price per ton" articles |
| Hundredweight (cwt) | 100 lb (about 45.4 kg) | Some North American mill and distributor pricing |
A short ton is only about nine-tenths of a metric tonne, and a "price per ton" from a US article is usually in US dollars too. Convert both the unit and the currency before you compare anything.
To get from a per-tonne rate to the cost of a specific bar or bar list, you need the weight. Our rebar price by size post has weights per bar and metres per tonne for 10M to 25M.
What moves the market price of rebar
These factors push the base rate up or down for everyone, regardless of the job.
Scrap and energy
Most North American rebar is made in electric arc furnaces that melt scrap steel, cast it into billets and roll it into bar. That makes scrap prices and electricity costs two of the biggest inputs, and when scrap moves, mill rebar prices tend to follow.
Trade measures on imported steel
Imported rebar is part of the Canadian market, and trade rules shape how much comes in and at what cost:
- Anti-dumping duties. The Canada Border Services Agency has measures in force on concrete reinforcing bar from a long list of countries under the Special Import Measures Act.
- Tariff-rate quotas. Starting in 2025, the federal government applied tariff-rate quotas to imported steel mill products, rebar included, from countries without a free trade agreement, with a surtax on volumes above the quota. Those quotas were tightened at the end of 2025 and also apply to free trade partners other than the US and Mexico.
- US tariffs. US tariffs on Canadian steel affect where Canadian and foreign steel flows, which feeds back into domestic supply and pricing.
The details of these measures change, so treat this as the shape of the market rather than a current rulebook. The practical effect is that imported bar is not a guaranteed cheaper fallback, and policy announcements can move prices quickly.
The Canadian dollar
Steel is traded across North America and much of the input cost is linked to US pricing. A weaker Canadian dollar tends to push Canadian steel prices up, and a stronger one can ease them.
Demand and season
Construction activity, large infrastructure projects and seasonal swings in building all affect how busy mills, distributors and fabricators are. Busy periods tend to firm up prices and stretch lead times.
What moves the price of your order
Two orders placed the same day at the same market rate can still come out very differently per tonne.
Size mix. The per-tonne rate for material is broadly similar across common sizes, but a job heavy in small bars has many more pieces per tonne, which affects handling and fabrication.
How much is fabricated. Straight stock lengths are the simplest product. Cut-to-length bar, bent shapes, stirrups, ties and spirals each add work. See what drives rebar fabrication cost for how shops price this part.
Grade and coating. Most work uses 400W. 500W, epoxy-coated, galvanized and stainless bar all price differently from plain 400W.
Quantity. Fixed costs such as detailing, order setup and delivery are spread over the tonnage. Small orders carry more of them per kilogram.
Delivery and schedule. Distance, site access, the number of drops and phased deliveries all count. A rush order that jumps the queue can cost more than one that fits the shop's schedule.
Detailing. If you send structural drawings rather than a finished bar list, someone has to produce the bar list and placing drawings. Ask whether that is included or priced separately.
How rebar quotes are usually built
Quotes vary in layout, but most contain the same building blocks:
- Material, by weight, for each size and grade.
- Fabrication, either built into the rate or shown as a separate charge for cutting and bending.
- Detailing, if the supplier is producing the bar list and placing drawings.
- Accessories, such as chairs, bar supports and tie wire, if requested.
- Delivery, per load or as a lump sum.
- Installation, if the quote is for supply and install.
- Terms: how long the price is valid, whether it can be adjusted if the market moves before delivery, and whether HST is included.
The validity period matters more than people expect. In a moving market, a quote that is held for a short window may be repriced if the order is placed late or the delivery date slips. On longer projects, ask how price changes between the quote and delivery are handled.
Comparing rebar quotes fairly
A low tonne rate does not always mean the cheapest order. Before choosing, check:
- Same weight basis. Is each quote based on the same bar list, or did each supplier do its own take-off? Different take-offs can differ in laps, waste and accessories.
- Same scope. Detailing, bending, accessories, delivery and installation either in or out on every quote.
- Same units and currency. Tonne vs short ton, CAD vs USD, tax in or out.
- Same terms. Price hold period and any escalation clause.
- Tags and bundling. Bars tagged by mark and bundled by pour save site time. Loose, untagged bar costs your crew hours to sort.
If you are buying straight stock to cut and bend yourself, also count the labour, waste and equipment on site. Our guide to buying rebar in Ontario compares supply yards and fabricators on exactly this. For structural steel shapes, the same logic applies in our post on structural steel price per tonne.
Getting a current price
Because rebar prices track a moving market, the only number worth using is a current quote on your actual order. Send drawings or a bar list through our quote form and we'll do a free take-off and price the job, with fabrication and delivery across the GTA and Ontario. You can also see the rebar products we supply, including straight bar from 10M to 55M, fabricated dowels and stirrups, and GFRP.
Frequently asked questions
What is the current price of steel rebar in Canada?
There is no single current price. Rebar is quoted per tonne or per kg, and the rate depends on the market at the time, the size mix, how much is fabricated, the quantity and delivery. Ask for a quote on your bar list, and note how long the price is held.
Is rebar priced per tonne or per ton?
In Canada rebar is usually quoted per metric tonne (1,000 kg) or per kg. US sources often quote per short ton (2,000 lb, about 907 kg), so check which ton a price refers to before comparing.
Why do rebar prices change so often?
Most rebar is made from melted scrap in electric arc furnaces, so scrap and energy costs feed straight into mill prices. Trade measures on imported steel, the Canadian dollar and construction demand also move the market.
Does fabricated rebar cost more than straight bar?
Yes. Cut and bent bar adds detailing, cutting, bending, tagging and bundling to the material, and the extra is larger for jobs with many small bent pieces.
