Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Income Statement [Abstract]
Net sales	$ 859.8	$ 962.2	$ 2,657.8	$ 3,174.4
Cost of materials sold	704.7	781.7	2,188.4	2,619.1
Gross profit	155.1	180.5	469.4	555.3
Warehousing, delivery, selling, general and administrative	119.6	127.1	362.7	390.0
Restructuring and other charges			2.1
Impairment charges on fixed assets and goodwill	1.1		8.8	0.9
Operating profit	34.4	53.4	95.8	164.4
Other income and (expense), net	(1.1)	(1.5)	2.1	(1.0)
Interest and other expense on debt	(27.1)	(19.8)	(83.3)	(58.9)
Income before income taxes	6.2	32.1	14.6	104.5
Provision for income taxes	2.9	0.5	6.2	6.4
Net income	3.3	31.6	8.4	98.1
Less: Net loss attributable to noncontrolling interest	(1.0)	(1.9)	(4.9)	(4.2)
Net income attributable to Ryerson Inc.	4.3	33.5	13.3	102.3
Comprehensive income	8.6	42.5	6.9	110.4
Less: Comprehensive loss attributable to noncontrolling interest	(1.2)	(2.1)	(4.9)	(4.8)
Comprehensive income attributable to Ryerson Inc.	$ 9.8	$ 44.6	$ 11.8	$ 115.2