Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Unaudited) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013
Statement of Comprehensive Income [Abstract]
Net sales	$ 947.9	$ 859.8	$ 2,753.8	$ 2,657.8
Cost of materials sold	798.4	704.7	2,302.2	2,188.4
Gross profit	149.5	155.1	451.6	469.4
Warehousing, delivery, selling, general and administrative	154.2	119.6	392.4	362.7
Gain on sale of assets	(1.3)		(1.3)
Restructuring and other charges				2.1
Impairment charges on fixed assets and goodwill		1.1		8.8
Operating profit (loss)	(3.4)	34.4	60.5	95.8
Other income and (expense), net	(8.5)	(1.1)	(8.2)	2.1
Interest and other expense on debt	(27.9)	(27.1)	(82.8)	(83.3)
Income (loss) before income taxes	(39.8)	6.2	(30.5)	14.6
Provision (benefit) for income taxes	(13.4)	2.9	(7.8)	6.2
Net income (loss)	(26.4)	3.3	(22.7)	8.4
Less: Net loss attributable to noncontrolling interest	(0.8)	(1.0)	(2.6)	(4.9)
Net income (loss) attributable to Ryerson Inc.	(25.6)	4.3	(20.1)	13.3
Comprehensive income (loss)	(33.7)	8.6	(33.7)	6.9
Less: Comprehensive loss attributable to noncontrolling interest	(0.8)	(1.2)	(2.7)	(4.9)
Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to Ryerson Inc.	$ (32.9)	$ 9.8	$ (31.0)	$ 11.8