Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Unaudited) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2012	Jun. 30, 2011	Jun. 30, 2012	Jun. 30, 2011
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income [Abstract]
Net sales	$ 1,090.6	$ 1,289.0	$ 2,212.2	$ 2,476.0
Cost of materials sold	906.6	1,125.1	1,837.4	2,155.4
Gross profit	184.0	163.9	374.8	320.6
Warehousing, delivery, selling, general and administrative	131.5	139.8	262.9	275.0
Restructuring and other charges		0.6		0.9
Impairment charge on fixed assets	0.9	2.5	0.9	2.5
Operating profit	51.6	21.0	111.0	42.2
Other income and (expense), net	0.8	(0.7)	0.5	5.0
Interest and other expense on debt	(19.8)	(20.4)	(39.1)	(40.1)
Income (loss) before income taxes	32.6	(0.1)	72.4	7.1
Provision for income taxes	3.2	7.7	5.9	6.5
Net income (loss)	29.4	(7.8)	66.5	0.6
Less: Net loss attributable to noncontrolling interest	(1.2)	(0.6)	(2.3)	(1.6)
Net income (loss) attributable to Ryerson Inc.	30.6	(7.2)	68.8	2.2
Comprehensive income (loss)	22.8	(8.0)	67.9	5.6
Less: Comprehensive loss attributable to noncontrolling interest	(1.7)	(0.3)	(2.7)	(1.1)
Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to Ryerson Inc.	$ 24.5	$ (7.7)	$ 70.6	$ 6.7