Consolidated Statements Of Operations (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010	Dec. 31, 2009
Consolidated Statements Of Operations [Abstract]
Net sales	$ 4,729.8	$ 3,895.5	$ 3,066.1
Cost of materials sold	4,071.0	3,355.7	2,610.6
Gross profit	658.8	539.8	455.5
Warehousing, delivery, selling, general and administrative	539.8	505.7	483.9
Restructuring and other charges	11.1	12.0
Gain on insurance settlement		(2.6)
Gain on sale of assets			(3.3)
Impairment charges on fixed assets and goodwill	9.3	1.4	19.3
Pension and other postretirement benefits curtailment (gain) loss		2.0	(2.0)
Operating profit (loss)	98.6	21.3	(42.4)
Other expense:
Other income and (expense), net	4.6	(3.2)	(10.2)
Interest and other expense on debt	(80.1)	(75.2)	(72.9)
Income (loss) before income taxes	23.1	(57.1)	(125.5)
Provision (benefit) for income taxes	(11.5)	12.9	66.9
Net income (loss)	34.6	(70.0)	(192.4)
Less: Net loss attributable to noncontrolling interest	(8.3)	(4.6)	(3.1)
Net income (loss) attributable to Ryerson Inc.	$ 42.9	$ (65.4)	$ (189.3)