Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies (Policy)	12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2023
Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies [Abstract]
Principles of Consolidation	Principles of Consolidation The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Graybar and our subsidiary companies. All material intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated. The ownership interests that are held by owners other than the Company are in subsidiaries owned by the Company and are accounted for and reported as noncontrolling interests.
Reclassifications	Reclassifications Certain reclassifications have been made to prior year’s financial information to conform to the December 31, 2023 presentation. These changes consisted of disaggregating other non-current assets into separate captions and reclassifying between other non-current assets and operating lease right-of-use assets within the December 31, 2022 consolidated balance sheet. The reclassifications had no effect on total assets or liabilities as of December 21, 2022.
Estimates	Estimates The preparation of financial statements in accordance with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses, and the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities. Actual results could differ from these estimates.
Revenue Recognition	Revenue Recognition Sales revenue is recognized when performance obligations are satisfied, which is typically upon delivery of the product to the customer. Sometimes product is purchased from the manufacturer and drop-shipped to the customer. We generally take control of the goods when shipped by the manufacturer and then recognize revenue when control of the product transfers to the customer. Revenues recognized are primarily for product sales, but may also include freight and handling charges. Our standard warehouse shipping terms are FOB shipping point, under which control passes to the customer at the time of shipment. Revenue is reported net of all taxes, primarily sales tax, assessed by governmental authorities as a result of revenue-producing transactions.
Outgoing Freight Expenses	Outgoing Freight Expenses We record approximately 95% of outgoing freight expenses as a component of selling, general and administrative expenses. Total outgoing freight expenses were $102.0 million, $101.0 million, and $78.9 million for the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022, and 2021, respectively.
Cash and Cash Equivalents	Cash and Cash Equivalents We account for cash on hand, deposits in banks, and other short-term, highly liquid investments with an original maturity of three months or less as cash and cash equivalents.
Allowance for Credit Losses	Allowance for Credit Losses We perform ongoing credit evaluations of our customers, and a significant portion of our trade receivables is secured by mechanic’s lien or payment bond rights. We maintain allowances to reflect the expected uncollectability of trade receivables based on past collection history pooled on the aging of the receivables, specific risks identified in the receivables portfolio based on current conditions, and expected future economic conditions when necessary. Although actual credit losses have historically been within management’s expectations, additional allowances may be required if the financial condition of our customers were to deteriorate.
Merchandise Inventory	Merchandise Inventory Our inventory is comprised entirely of finished goods. Most of our inventory is stated at the lower of cost (generally determined using the last-in, first-out (“LIFO”) cost method) or market. LIFO accounting is a method of accounting that, compared with other inventory accounting methods, generally provides better matching of current costs with current sales. Our remaining inventory is stated at the lower of cost or market determined using average cost. We make provisions for obsolete or excess inventories as necessary to reflect reductions in inventory value.
Vendor Allowances	Vendor Allowances Our agreements with many of our suppliers provide for us to earn volume incentives based on purchases during the agreement period. Based on the provisions of our vendor agreements, we develop vendor accrual rates by estimating our performance under the agreements and the amounts that will be earned. We perform analyses and review historical trends to ensure the deferred amounts earned are appropriately recorded. Certain vendor agreements contain purchase volume incentives that provide for increased funding when graduated purchase volumes are met. Amounts accrued throughout the year are based on estimates of future activity levels, and could be materially impacted if actual purchase volumes differ. Changes in the estimated amount of incentives are treated as changes in estimate and are recognized in income from operations in the period in which the change in estimate occurs. In the event that the operating performance of our suppliers were to decline, however, there can be no assurance that amounts earned would be paid or that the volume incentives would continue to be included in future agreements.
Property and Depreciation	Property and Depreciation Property is recorded at cost. Depreciation is expensed on a straight-line basis over the estimated useful lives of the related assets. Interest costs incurred to finance expenditures for major long-term construction projects are capitalized as part of the asset's historical cost and included in property, then depreciated over the useful life of the asset. Leasehold improvements are amortized over the term of the lease or the estimated useful life of the improvement, whichever is shorter. Expenditures for maintenance and repairs are charged to expense when incurred, while the costs of significant improvements, which extend the useful life of the underlying asset, are capitalized.
Fair Value	Fair Value GAAP has established a fair value hierarchy, which prioritizes the inputs used in measuring fair value. The tiers in the hierarchy include: Level 1, defined as observable inputs such as quoted prices in active markets; Level 2, defined as inputs other than quoted prices in active markets that are either directly or indirectly observable; and Level 3, defined as unobservable inputs for which little or no market data exists, therefore requiring an entity to develop its own data inputs and assumptions. We have used fair value measurements to value our pension plan assets.
Foreign Currency Exchange Rate	Foreign Currency Exchange Rate The functional currency for our Canadian subsidiary is the Canadian dollar. Accordingly, its balance sheet amounts are translated at the exchange rates in effect at the end of each reporting period and its statements of income amounts are translated at the average rates of exchange prevailing during the current period. Currency translation adjustments are included in accumulated other comprehensive loss.
Goodwill	Goodwill Our goodwill is not amortized, but rather tested annually for impairment. Goodwill is reviewed annually in the fourth quarter and when circumstances or other events might indicate that impairment may have occurred. We first perform a qualitative assessment of goodwill impairment. The qualitative assessment considers several factors including the excess fair value over carrying value as of the last quantitative impairment test, the length of time since the last fair value measurement, the current carrying value, market conditions, actual performance compared to forecasted performance, and the current business outlook. If the qualitative assessment indicates that it is more likely than not that goodwill is impaired, the reporting unit would then be quantitatively tested for impairment. If a quantitative assessment would be required, the fair value would be determined using a variety of assumptions including estimated future cash flows of the reporting unit and applicable discount rates.
Definite Lived Intangible Assets	Definite Lived Intangible Assets The cost of intangible assets with determinable useful lives is amortized to reflect the pattern of economic benefits consumed on a straight-line basis over the estimated periods benefited. Customer relationships, trade names and other non-contractual intangible assets with determinable lives are amortized over periods generally ranging from 2.5 to 20 years. Intangible assets are tested for impairment if events or circumstances occur indicating that the respective asset might be impaired.
Income Taxes	Income Taxes We recognize deferred tax assets and liabilities to reflect the future tax consequences of events that have been recognized in the financial statements or tax returns. A deferred tax asset or liability results from the temporary difference between an item’s carrying value as reflected in the financial statements and its tax basis, and is calculated using enacted applicable tax rates. We assess the likelihood that our deferred tax assets will be recovered from future taxable income and, to the extent we believe that recovery is unable to reach the ‘more likely than not’ standard, a valuation allowance is established. Changes in the valuation allowance, when recorded, are included in the provision for income taxes in the consolidated financial statements. We assess uncertainty regarding tax positions taken in previously filed returns and record reserves in accordance with the guidance under the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) Accounting Standards Codification ("ASC") 740-10, "Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes". We classify interest expense and penalties associated with taxes and uncertain tax positions as part of our provision for income taxes based upon applicable federal and state interest/underpayment percentages.
Other Postretirement Benefits	Other Postretirement Benefits We account for postretirement benefits other than pensions by accruing the costs of benefits to be provided over the eligible employees’ periods of active service. These costs are determined on an actuarial basis. Our consolidated balance sheets reflect the funded status of postretirement benefits.
Pension Plan	Pension Plan We sponsor a noncontributory defined benefit pension plan accounted for by accruing the cost to provide the benefits over the eligible employees’ periods of active service. These costs are determined on an actuarial basis. Our consolidated balance sheets reflect the funded status of the defined benefit pension plan.
Employee Deferred Compensation Trust	Employee Deferred Compensation Trust We have an employee deferred compensation trust to meet funding obligations for nonqualified pension benefits to certain participants in the supplemental benefit plan. Assets in the trust are classified as other non-current assets in the consolidated balance sheet. Earnings and losses on investments in the employee deferred compensation trust are reported in non-operating expenses, net in the consolidated statements of income.
Leases	Leases We determine if an arrangement is a lease at inception. Operating leases are included in operating lease right-of-use (“ROU”) assets, current operating lease liabilities, and non-current operating lease liabilities on our consolidated balance sheets. Amounts related to finance leases are included in property, current portion of long-term debt, and long-term debt on our consolidated balance sheets. ROU assets and lease liabilities are recognized and measured on the date the underlying asset is made available to us. Operating lease ROU assets and operating lease liabilities are recognized based on the present value of the future minimum lease payments over the lease term at commencement date. We use our incremental borrowing rate based on the information available at the commencement date in determining the present value of future payments. The operating lease ROU asset also includes any lease payments made and excludes lease incentives. Our lease terms may include options to extend or terminate the lease when it is reasonably certain that we will exercise that option. Operating lease expense for minimum lease payments is recognized on a straight-line basis over the lease term. For certain leases, such as real estate and information technology (“IT”) equipment, we account for the lease and non-lease components as a single lease component. For all other leases, we account for the lease and non-lease components separately. Leases with a term of twelve months or less are not recorded on the consolidated balance sheets. Lease expenses associated with short-term leases are immaterial and are recorded in the consolidated statements of income in selling, general and administrative expenses. Additionally, for certain vehicle leases, we apply a portfolio approach to account for the operating lease ROU assets and liabilities.
Non-operating Expenses, Net	Non-operating Expenses, net Non-operating expenses, net are comprised of interest expense, net, earnings and losses on investments, which consists of highly liquid money market funds and a U.S. Treasury note, and non-service cost components of the net periodic benefit cost for the pension and other postretirement benefit plans. The non-service cost components include interest cost, expected return on plan assets, amortization of net actuarial gains/losses, amortization of prior service costs/gains, and charges due to settlement of certain plan liabilities.
New Accounting Standards	New Accounting Standards In December 2022, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) 2022-06, “Reference Rate Reform (Topic 848): Deferral of the Sunset Date of Topic 848” which provides final guidance that defers the sunset date for applying the reference rate reform relief in ASC 848 to December 31, 2024, from December 31, 2022. The guidance is effective upon issuance. We have transitioned to the Secured Overnight Financing Rate (“SOFR”) as our reference rate effective March 29, 2023, as described in Note 12, “Debt”. The adoption of this Update did not have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements. In November 2023, the FASB issued ASU 2023-07, “Segment Reporting (Topic 280): Improvements to Reportable Segment Disclosures” which requires public entities to provide enhanced disclosures of significant segment expenses and other segment items. Public entities with a single reportable segment must provide all the disclosures required by Topic 280, including the significant segment expense disclosures. The guidance requires public entities to provide in interim periods all disclosures about a reportable segment’s profit or loss and assets that are currently required annually. The guidance applies to all public entities and is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2023, and for interim periods beginning after December 15, 2024. The guidance shall be applied retrospectively to all periods presented in the financial statements. We are currently evaluating the impact of adopting the Update to our required disclosures. In December 2023, the FASB issued ASU 2023-09, “Income Taxes (Topic 740): Improvements to Income Tax Disclosures” which is intended to enhance the transparency and decision usefulness of income tax disclosures. The guidance addresses investor requests for enhanced income tax information primarily through changes to the rate reconciliation and income taxes paid information. The guidance is effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2024, and shall be applied on a prospective basis. We are currently evaluating the impact of this Update on our consolidated financial statements and expect considerable expansion of our income tax footnote disclosures.

Disclosure of accounting policy for the classification of shipping and handling costs after ASU 2014-09, including whether the costs are included in cost of sales or included in other income statement accounts. If shipping and handling fees are significant and are not included in cost of sales, disclosure includes both the amounts of such costs and the line item on the income statement which includes such costs.

No definition available.