Investments in Unconsolidated Affiliates - Additional Information (Detail)	3 Months Ended
Aug. 31, 2015 USD ($)
Investments in and Advances to Affiliates [Line Items]
Distributions from unconsolidated affiliates	$ 21,068,000
WAVE
Investments in and Advances to Affiliates [Line Items]
Cumulative distributions in excess of investment	$ 58,728,000
Joint Venture Transactions \| ArtiFlex
Investments in and Advances to Affiliates [Line Items]
Percent of interest by unconsolidated affiliates	50.00%
Joint Venture Transactions \| ClarkDietrich
Investments in and Advances to Affiliates [Line Items]
Percent of interest by unconsolidated affiliates	25.00%
Joint Venture Transactions \| Samuel Steel Pickling Company
Investments in and Advances to Affiliates [Line Items]
Percent of interest by unconsolidated affiliates	31.25%
Joint Venture Transactions \| Seviacero
Investments in and Advances to Affiliates [Line Items]
Percent of interest by unconsolidated affiliates	50.00%
Joint Venture Transactions \| WAVE
Investments in and Advances to Affiliates [Line Items]
Percent of interest by unconsolidated affiliates	50.00%
Joint Venture Transactions \| Worthington Specialty Processing
Investments in and Advances to Affiliates [Line Items]
Percent of interest by unconsolidated affiliates	51.00%
Joint Venture Transactions \| Zhejiang Nisshin Worthington Precision Specialty Steel Co
Investments in and Advances to Affiliates [Line Items]
Percent of interest by unconsolidated affiliates	10.00%

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.

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=56944662&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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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)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6382943&loc=d3e33918-111571

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