Cover - shares	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2020	Jul. 31, 2020
Cover [Abstract]
Document Type	10-Q
Document Quarterly Report	true
Document Period End Date	Jun. 30, 2020
Document Transition Report	false
Entity File Number	1-9810
Entity Registrant Name	Owens & Minor, Inc.
Entity Incorporation, State or Country Code	VA
Entity Tax Identification Number	54-1701843
Entity Address, Address Line One	9120 Lockwood Boulevard
Entity Address, City or Town	Mechanicsville
Entity Address, State or Province	VA
Entity Address, Postal Zip Code	23116
City Area Code	804
Local Phone Number	723-7000
Title of 12(b) Security	Common Stock, $2 par value per share
Trading Symbol	OMI
Security Exchange Name	NYSE
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes
Entity Interactive Data Current	Yes
Entity Filer Category	Accelerated Filer
Entity Smaller Reporting Entity	true
Entity Emerging Growth Company	false
Entity Shell Company	false
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		63,781,275
Entity Central Index Key	0000075252
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--12-31
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2020
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q2
Amendment Flag	false