Document and Entity Information - USD ($)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2019	Mar. 01, 2020	Jun. 30, 2019
Document and Entity Information [Abstract]
Document Type	10-K
Document Annual Report	true
Document Period End Date	Dec. 31, 2019
Document Transition Report	false
Entity File Number	000-00255
Entity Registrant Name	GRAYBAR ELECTRIC COMPANY, INC.
Entity Incorporation, State or Country Code	NY
Entity Tax Identification Number	13-0794380
Entity Address, Address Line One	34 North Meramec Avenue
Entity Address, City or Town	St. Louis
Entity Address, State or Province	MO
Entity Address, Postal Zip Code	63105
City Area Code	314
Local Phone Number	573 - 9200
Title of 12(g) Security	Common Stock - Par Value $1.00 Per Share with a
No Trading Symbol Flag	false
Entity Well-known Seasoned Issuer	No
Entity Voluntary Filers	No
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes
Entity Interactive Data Current	Yes
Entity Filer Category	Non-accelerated Filer
Entity Small Business	false
Entity Emerging Growth Company	false
Entity Shell Company	false
Entity Public Float			$ 0
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		22,689,848
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2019
Document Fiscal Period Focus	FY
Amendment Flag	false
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--12-31
Entity Central Index Key	0000205402