Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Unaudited) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2013
Statement Of Income And Comprehensive Income [Abstract]
Net sales	$ 931.5	$ 906.9	$ 1,805.9	$ 1,798.0
Cost of materials sold	777.1	748.4	1,503.8	1,483.7
Gross profit	154.4	158.5	302.1	314.3
Warehousing, delivery, selling, general and administrative	120.4	121.4	238.2	243.1
Restructuring and other charges		2.1		2.1
Impairment charges on fixed assets and goodwill		6.8		7.7
Operating profit	34.0	28.2	63.9	61.4
Other income and (expense), net	(1.7)	2.0	0.3	3.2
Interest and other expense on debt	(27.5)	(27.8)	(54.9)	(56.2)
Income (loss) before income taxes	4.8	2.4	9.3	8.4
Provision for income taxes	2.1	2.2	5.6	3.3
Net income (loss)	2.7	0.2	3.7	5.1
Less: Net loss attributable to noncontrolling interest	(0.9)	(1.7)	(1.8)	(3.9)
Net income attributable to Ryerson Inc.	3.6	1.9	5.5	9.0
Comprehensive income (loss)	6.2	(7.8)		(1.7)
Less: Comprehensive loss attributable to noncontrolling interest	(0.8)	(1.6)	(1.9)	(3.7)
Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to Ryerson Inc.	$ 7.0	$ (6.2)	$ 1.9	$ 2.0