Stockholders' Equity, Other Comprehensive Income and Redeemable Noncontrolling Interest (Tables)

6 Months Ended

Jun. 30, 2012

Stockholders' Equity, Other Comprehensive Income and Redeemable Noncontrolling Interest [Abstract]

Summary of changes in stockholders' equity, other comprehensive income and redeemable noncontrolling interest

	Ryerson Inc. Stockholders
										Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)
	Common Stock				Capital in Excess of Par Value		Accumulated Deficit			Foreign Currency Translation			Benefit Plan Liabilities			Unrealized Gain (Loss) on Available- For-Sale Investments			Noncontrolling Interest			Total Equity			Redeemable Noncontrolling Interest
	Shares		Dollars		Dollars		Dollars			Dollars			Dollars			Dollars			Dollars			Dollars			Dollars
	(In millions, except shares)
Balance at December 31, 2011		100	$	—	$	451.5	$	(211.8	)	$	(9.7	)	$	(202.2	)	$	(4.4	)	$	7.9		$	31.3		$	—
Net income (loss)		—		—		—		68.8			—			—			—			(2.1	)		66.7			(0.2	)
Foreign currency translation		—		—		—		—			(0.8	)		—			—			(0.1	)		(0.9	)		(0.3	)
Changes in unrecognized benefit costs (net of tax provision of $0.2)		—		—		—		—			—			1.3			—			—			1.3			—
Unrealized gain on available-for-sale investment		—		—		—		—			—			—			1.3			—			1.3			—
Fair value of noncontrolling interest associated with business acquired		—		—		—		—			—			—			—			—			—			2.4
Subscription receivable		—		—		—		—			—			—			—			—			—			(0.5	)
Balance at June 30, 2012		100	$	—	$	451.5	$	(143.0	)	$	(10.5	)	$	(200.9	)	$	(3.1	)	$	5.7		$	99.7		$	1.4