CONSOLIDATED CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS (USD $) In Millions, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2012	Jun. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2012
Income Statement [Abstract]
Net sales	$ 958.8	$ 934.6	$ 1,891.5	$ 1,877.9
Cost of goods sold	759.7	747.9	1,503.5	1,512.7
Gross profit	199.1	186.7	388.0	365.2
Selling and administrative expenses	98.8	91.8	206.0	188.9
Amortization of intangibles	5.4	6.4	11.1	12.6
Other (income) expense, net	(3.6)	1.7	(7.0)	1.0
Earnings from continuing operations before interest and income taxes	98.5	86.8	177.9	162.7
Interest expense	10.9	9.6	23.7	19.1
Interest income	1.8	1.6	4.5	3.3
Earnings from continuing operations before income taxes	89.4	78.8	158.7	146.9
Income taxes	24.3	21.5	44.2	44.3
Earnings from continuing operations	65.1	57.3	114.5	102.6
Earnings from discontinued operations (net of tax)	6.8	8.1	6.9	7.3
Net earnings	71.9	65.4	121.4	109.9
(Earnings) loss attributable to noncontrolling interest, net of tax	(0.6)	(0.5)	(1.0)	(1.0)
Net earnings attributable to Leggett & Platt, Inc. common shareholders	$ 71.3	$ 64.9	$ 120.4	$ 108.9
Earnings per share from continuing operations attributable to Leggett & Platt, Inc. common shareholders
Basic (in dollars per share)	$ 0.44	$ 0.39	$ 0.78	$ 0.71
Diluted (in dollars per share)	$ 0.44	$ 0.39	$ 0.77	$ 0.70
Earnings per share from discontinued operations attributable to Leggett & Platt, Inc. common shareholders
Basic (in dollars per share)	$ 0.05	$ 0.06	$ 0.05	$ 0.05
Diluted (in dollars per share)	$ 0.05	$ 0.06	$ 0.05	$ 0.05
Earnings per share from continuing operations attributable to Leggett & Platt, Inc. common shareholders
Basic (in dollars per share)	$ 0.49	$ 0.45	$ 0.83	$ 0.76
Diluted (in dollars per share)	$ 0.48	$ 0.45	$ 0.81	$ 0.75
Cash dividends declared per share (in dollars per share)	$ 0.29	$ 0.28	$ 0.58	$ 0.56
Average shares outstanding
Basic (in shares)	145.8	144.1	145.9	143.8
Diluted (in shares)	148.1	145.4	148.0	145.3