Condensed Consolidated Statements Of Comprehensive Income (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2012	Mar. 31, 2011
Condensed Consolidated Statements Of Comprehensive Income [Abstract]
Net sales	$ 1,121.6	$ 1,187.0
Cost of materials sold	930.8	1,030.3
Gross profit	190.8	156.7
Warehousing, delivery, selling, general and administrative	131.4	135.2
Restructuring and other charges		0.3
Operating profit	59.4	21.2
Other income and (expense), net	(0.3)	5.7
Interest and other expense on debt	(19.3)	(19.7)
Income before income taxes	39.8	7.2
Provision (benefit) for income taxes	2.7	(1.2)
Net income	37.1	8.4
Less: Net loss attributable to noncontrolling interest	(1.1)	(1.0)
Net income attributable to Ryerson Inc.	38.2	9.4
Comprehensive income	45.1	13.6
Less: Comprehensive loss attributable to noncontrolling interest	(1.0)	(0.8)
Comprehensive income attributable to Ryerson Inc.	$ 46.1	$ 14.4