Percentage of voting equity interests acquired at the acquisition date in the business combination.

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 805

-SubTopic 10

-Section 50

-Paragraph 2

-Subparagraph (c)

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This item represents disclosure of the amount of dividends or other distributions received from unconsolidated subsidiaries, certain corporate joint ventures, and certain noncontrolled corporation; these investments are accounted for under the equity method of accounting. This element excludes distributions that constitute a return of investment, which are classified as investing activities.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 230

-SubTopic 10

-Section 45

-Paragraph 28

-Subparagraph (b)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=31042434&loc=d3e3602-108585

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher SEC

-Name Regulation S-X (SX)

-Number 210

-Section 03

-Paragraph 13

-Article 5

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- Definition

This item represents an other than temporary decline in value that has been recognized against an investment accounted for under the equity method of accounting. The excess of the carrying amount over the fair value of the investment represents the amount of the write down which is or was reflected in earnings. The written down value is a new cost basis with the adjusted value of the investment becoming its new carrying value subject to the equity accounting method. Evidence of a loss in value might include, but would not necessarily be limited to, absence of an ability to recover the carrying amount of the investment or inability of the investee to sustain an earnings capacity which would justify the carrying amount of the investment.

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Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 323

-SubTopic 10

-Section 35

-Paragraph 32

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- Definition

The percentage of ownership of common stock or equity participation in the investee accounted for under the equity method of accounting.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 323

-SubTopic 10

-Section 50

-Paragraph 3

-Subparagraph (a)(1)

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The parent entity's interest in net assets of the subsidiary, expressed as a percentage.

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- Definition

Cash dividends or other distributions received from unconsolidated subsidiaries, certain corporate joint ventures, and certain noncontrolled corporations that are returns of capital. Excludes dividends or distributions from equity method investments classified as operating activities.

+ References

No definition available.

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Amount of consolidated retained earnings that represent undistributed (not yet received) earnings from 50% or less owned persons accounted for by the equity method (equity method investees).

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 852

-SubTopic 20

-Section 50

-Paragraph 2

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Cumulative distributions from an equity method investee in excess of the entity's investment balance in the investee.

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No definition available.

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Non-Recurring Distribution Received From Affiliates

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Number Of Affiliated Companies

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Sale of equity method investment, ownership percentage.

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Investments in Unconsolidated Affiliates - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended			3 Months Ended		12 Months Ended														1 Months Ended
	May 31, 2014 Entity	May 31, 2013 Entity	May 31, 2012 Entity	May 31, 2013 Worthington Modern Steel Framing Manufacturing Co., Ltd.	May 31, 2013 Worthington Modern Steel Framing Manufacturing Co., Ltd. China	May 31, 2014 ClarkDietrich	May 31, 2014 WAVE	May 31, 2013 WAVE	Dec. 31, 2011 WAVE	May 31, 2014 Joint Venture Transactions TWB	Jul. 31, 2013 Joint Venture Transactions TWB	May 31, 2014 Joint Venture Transactions Worthington Modern Steel Framing Manufacturing Co., Ltd.	May 31, 2014 Joint Venture Transactions ArtiFlex	May 31, 2014 Joint Venture Transactions ClarkDietrich	May 31, 2014 Joint Venture Transactions Samuel Steel Pickling Company	May 31, 2014 Joint Venture Transactions Seviacero	May 31, 2014 Joint Venture Transactions Zhejiang Nisshin Worthington Precision Specialty Steel Co	Oct. 18, 2013 Joint Venture Transactions Zhejiang Nisshin Worthington Precision Specialty Steel Co	Oct. 18, 2013 Joint Venture Transactions Zhejiang Nisshin Worthington Precision Specialty Steel Co Maximum	Jan. 31, 2012 Joint Venture Transactions LEFCO Worthington, LLC	May 31, 2014 Joint Venture Transactions Worthington Specialty Processing	May 31, 2014 Joint Venture Transactions WAVE
Investments in and Advances to Affiliates [Line Items]
Percent of interest by unconsolidated affiliates					40.00%							40.00%	50.00%	25.00%	31.25%	50.00%	10.00%	10.00%	34.00%		51.00%	50.00%
Percentage of additional interest acquired by the company										10.00%	10.00%
Percent of controlling interest by the company										55.00%	55.00%
Impairment of investment in unconsolidated affiliates				$ 4,751,000
Sale of equity interest, percentage																				49.00%
Distributions from unconsolidated affiliates	85,346,000	84,539,000	138,471,000
Non-recurring special dividend received									50,000,000
Cumulative distributions in excess of investment							59,287,000	63,187,000
Excess distributions from unconsolidated affiliates	9,223,000	863,000	45,879,000			9,223,000
Number of affiliated companies	3	3	3
Consolidated retained earnings undistributed earnings net of tax	$ 13,241,000