Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2012	Jun. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2012
Income Statement [Abstract]
Net sales	$ 906.9	$ 1,090.6	$ 1,798.0	$ 2,212.2
Cost of materials sold	748.4	906.6	1,483.7	1,837.4
Gross profit	158.5	184.0	314.3	374.8
Warehousing, delivery, selling, general and administrative	121.4	131.5	243.1	262.9
Restructuring and other charges	2.1		2.1
Impairment charges on fixed assets and goodwill	6.8	0.9	7.7	0.9
Operating profit	28.2	51.6	61.4	111.0
Other income and (expense), net	2.0	0.8	3.2	0.5
Interest and other expense on debt	(27.8)	(19.8)	(56.2)	(39.1)
Income before income taxes	2.4	32.6	8.4	72.4
Provision for income taxes	2.2	3.2	3.3	5.9
Net income	0.2	29.4	5.1	66.5
Less: Net loss attributable to noncontrolling interest	(1.7)	(1.2)	(3.9)	(2.3)
Net income attributable to Ryerson Inc.	1.9	30.6	9.0	68.8
Comprehensive income (loss)	(7.8)	22.8	(1.7)	67.9
Less: Comprehensive loss attributable to noncontrolling interest	(1.6)	(1.7)	(3.7)	(2.7)
Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to Ryerson Inc.	$ (6.2)	$ 24.5	$ 2.0	$ 70.6