In 2025, 304 stainless steel woven and welded wire mesh remains an economically attractive, corrosion-resistant screening and filtration material. Prices vary widely by format (roll vs sheet), mesh count, wire diameter and finish — typical factory/FOB ranges from roughly US$3.5–US$40 per m² for common industrial meshes from Chinese factories (bulk orders) up to US$150–$350 per roll or more for fine-mesh or retail cut lengths in western markets. Lead times, alloy surcharges and finishing (electropolish, annealing, crimping, dutch/twill weave) drive much of the premium; for fast supply at competitive factory prices we (Luokaiwei) offer full customization, stock items for quick delivery and 100% factory pricing for global buyers.
1) What is 304 stainless steel wire mesh?
304 stainless steel wire mesh is woven or welded mesh made from 18/8 (approx.) austenitic stainless steel (type 304). It is the industry workhorse for screens, filtration, architectural panels, insect screens, and general corrosion-resistant fencing or separators. Compared with 316, 304 trades some chloride resistance for lower cost and wider availability.
2) Why choose 304 for wire mesh — properties & chemistry
304’s chemistry (roughly 18% chromium, 8% nickel) provides good general corrosion resistance, excellent formability and weldability, stable mechanical properties at moderate temperatures, and wide availability. For indoor use, general outdoor environments and non-marine filtration, 304 is usually cost-efficient and fully adequate. If the environment is chloride-rich (seaside, de-icing salts, chemical plants), 316 or higher-alloy meshes may be safer despite higher cost.
3) Construction types and why they matter to price
Short descriptions (each impacts price):
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Woven (plain weave): simplest, lowest cost for a given mesh count.
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Twill weave & Dutch weave: denser packs and produce smaller openings — higher price due to more wire and complex weaving.
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Welded mesh: wires welded at intersections; fast to produce for larger openings and high-strength panels.
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Expanded metal & knitted mesh: specialized forming techniques, different cost profiles.
Fine weave (200–400 mesh) needs very thin wire and careful manufacturing — price rises quickly because of increased process time, scrap rates and inspection needs.
4) Standards & key specifications you must quote
When buying, always specify: mesh count (holes per inch or mm), wire diameter (mm or AWG), open area/clear aperture, roll width and length, finish (mill, annealed, electropolish), and tolerance class. For raw wire and wire specifications, the reference standard commonly used in industry is ASTM A580 — Standard Specification for Stainless Steel Wire (covers wire chemistry, tolerances and mechanical tests). Insist that wire and mesh conform to an agreed standard and request test certificates (e.g., chemical analysis, tensile) where required.
5) How manufacturers compute price — the main drivers
The final quoted price is rarely a simple “per m²” figure. Manufacturers calculate cost from:
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Raw material (coil wire price) — the largest single input; alloy surcharges (nickel/chrome) matter for 304 despite being lower than 316.
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Mesh geometry — finer mesh and smaller openings use more wire per area and increase weaving difficulty.
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Wire diameter & roll dimensions — thin wire is more delicate, higher scrap/waste and slower weaving.
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Weave type and finishing — dutch/twill weave, crimping, heat-treat/anneal, or electropolish add steps and cost.
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Labor & factory efficiency — production scale in China can lower per-unit cost.
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Surface finish and certification — mill finish vs polished vs cleanroom grades.
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Logistics, customs and trade measures — freight, tariffs, and local taxes.
All these multiply: a small increase in mesh count or a switch to twill weave can double the production time and increase costs non-linearly.
6) 2025 global price snapshot — comparison table
Important: prices below are representative ranges (not firm offers). Exact quotes require mesh count, wire diameter, roll size, finish, and incoterms. For benchmarking we sampled factory and distributor listings across China, India and the USA (examples cited).
| Region / Channel | Typical product examples | Representative price range (2025, retail/FOB) |
|---|---|---|
| China — factory / FOB (bulk rolls) | 304 woven plain/standard widths, 20–100 mesh | US$3.5 – US$15 per m² (bulk MOQ, basic finish). |
| China — specialized rolls (fine mesh, dutch weave) | 200–400 mesh, tight tolerances | US$40 – US$200 per m² (fine weave or filter rolls). |
| India — local manufacturing / retail | Welded & woven meshes, priced per sqft/kg | INR 150 – 600 / sq ft (varies by mesh/wire). Example listings show broad ranges. |
| USA — distributor / cut-to-size retail | Common 4×4, 8×8, small rolls | US$30 – US$350 per roll (retail prices for cut pieces or premium finishes). Example distributor pricing available. |
| Europe — wholesale & architectural | Architectural panels, polished finishes | €8 – €60 / m² for common meshes; premium applications higher (surface finish and certification increase price). (market variability) |
How to read this table: the lowest factory prices come from high-volume Chinese producers for coarse, plain weave mesh. Retail/small-quantity purchases in the USA or Europe will show marked up prices. Fine filtration meshes and specialty weaves cost substantially more because of wire consumption, precision and QC.
7) Supply-chain & market drivers in 2025
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Raw materials: Nickel and chromium prices influence alloy surcharges for stainless wire. In 2025 nickel markets saw oversupply and depressed prices versus 2022 highs, reducing part of the alloy surcharge for austenitic steels; however regional supply/demand and smelting capacity still cause volatility.
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Production volumes: Global stainless melt capacity rose in 2024; increased supply is moderating prices in many regions. World Stainless Association reported a 7% increase in melt shop production for 2024, which tends to ease raw-steel and wire prices where demand is not equally rising.
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Freight and trade measures: Shipping rates and tariffs can add materially to landed cost; always check current freight & duties for your port and incoterm.
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Energy & labor: Weaving is energy-intensive and skilled-labor sensitive; higher local energy or labor costs increase price.
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Certification & cleanroom demand: Food, pharma and microfiltration markets need extra testing and finishes — they pay a premium.
8) Buying tips — how to compare quotes properly
When you request quotes, always provide:
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Exact mesh count (e.g., 100 mesh = 100 openings per inch) and wire diameter (mm or AWG).
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Roll width × length, or sheet sizes.
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Weave type (plain/twill/dutch), crimped or non-crimped.
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Finish (mill, degreased, annealed, electropolished).
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Required test certificates (chemical, mechanical) and inspection standard (2.1/3.1/3.2).
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Incoterm (FOB, CIF, DDP).
Compare unit cost + logistics + lead time. A cheap FOB price with a 12-week lead time and no QC is often more costly in practice than a slightly higher factory price with immediate stock and inspection reports.
9) Why buy 304 mesh from Luokaiwei
We are Luokaiwei — a Chinese manufacturer with direct factory capacity for stainless woven and welded mesh. Our selling points:
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100% factory pricing: no middle-man markups for standard and many custom SKUs.
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Customization & small batches: we support tailored mesh count, wire gauges and special weaves.
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Quick dispatch for stocked items: certain popular mesh types are in inventory for fast shipment.
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Quality assurance: in-house QC, chemical & mechanical test reports and full traceability.
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Export experience: regular shipments to Europe, North America, Middle East; we handle packing, fumigation, and documentation.
If you want, we can provide a sample roll for validation and a formal proforma based on your exact specification.
10) Typical applications that influence price selection
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Insect screens & architectural screens: prioritize visual finish and tensile strength — medium mesh counts.
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Filtration and sieving: prioritize precise opening tolerance and low contamination — fine mesh and dutch/twill weaves.
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Industrial sieves and separators: heavy-duty woven or welded mesh with thicker wires.
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Food & pharma: cleanable finishes, electropolish and certification increase cost.
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Construction & security fencing: welded mesh panels — less wire consumption but higher structural processing.
11) Packaging, lead times, MOQ and logistics
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Packaging: rolls (core + wrap), wooden crates for long sheets, anti-rust paper and desiccant for long sea voyages.
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Lead time: stocked items: 3–10 days; made-to-order: 2–8 weeks depending on complexity and volume.
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MOQ: Chinese factories commonly set MOQs for custom weaves; stock items can be supplied in small lots.
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Logistics: FOB Shanghai/Ningbo is common; CIF/DDP increases landed cost but reduces buyer logistics work.
12) Quality control and testing (what to insist on)
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Material test report (MTR) / Mill Certificate — chemical composition & heat number.
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Tensile test & elongation where structural use is planned.
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Mesh count and wire diameter verification (micrometer & optical inspection).
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Visual & dimensional inspection report for fine filters — include particle size distribution where needed.
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Third-party inspection (e.g., SGS, BV) for critical orders.
Standards such as ASTM A580 cover wire requirements and testing expectations — referencing them in your PO reduces misunderstanding.
13) Sustainability & recycling
304 stainless is highly recyclable. At end-of-life, mesh can enter stainless recycling streams with high recovery rates. Buying from mills that can demonstrate scrap management and energy-efficient melting reduces lifecycle emissions and often improves long-term cost stability.
14) FAQs
Q1 — How much does a 1m² sheet of 304 mesh cost?
A: It depends on mesh count and wire diameter. For coarse plain-weave factory items you may see US$3–15/m² FOB China; fine filtration meshes or polished sheets can be US$40–200/m² or more. Always confirm the exact mesh spec.
Q2 — Is 304 good for outdoor use?
A: Yes in many outdoor, non-marine environments. For chloride-rich or highly corrosive conditions, choose 316 or duplex grades.
Q3 — How do I request a sample?
A: Provide the mesh count, wire diameter, roll width and finish. We (Luokaiwei) can send small samples or cut pieces for evaluation; sample fees may apply and are often refundable against a confirmed order.
Q4 — Can you supply custom widths and weave patterns?
A: Yes. We support bespoke widths, crimp styles, dutch/twill weaves and welded configurations — but lead times and MOQ may differ.
Q5 — How do alloy surcharges impact price?
A: Surcharges track nickel and chromium markets. In 2025 nickel prices weakened from earlier highs which eased part of the surcharge, but regional premiums and processing costs still affect supplier quotes. Monitor both the alloy index and the supplier’s surcharge policy when comparing offers.
Practical next steps (if you’re sourcing now)
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Prepare a short specification sheet: mesh count, wire diameter, roll width & length, weave, finish, and required certificates.
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Ask suppliers for unit price (per m²), MOQ, lead time, sample cost, and incoterms.
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Compare landed cost (price + freight + duties) not just FOB.
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If you need rapid delivery for a commercial project ask about stock items we can dispatch within days.
Closing — why this matters
Price is a combination of metallurgy, geometry and logistics. As a manufacturer and exporter, we balance quality, traceability and prompt delivery. If you want, we can prepare a tailored quote and sample plan based on the exact mesh count, wire gauge and finish you need. Contact Luokaiwei with your spec and we’ll respond with factory pricing and lead time.
