Document and Entity Information - shares	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2020	Apr. 17, 2020
Cover [Abstract]
Document Type	10-Q
Amendment Flag	false
Document Period End Date	Mar. 31, 2020
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2020
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q1
Trading Symbol	USAP
Entity Registrant Name	UNIVERSAL STAINLESS & ALLOY PRODUCTS INC
Entity Central Index Key	0000931584
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes
Entity Interactive Data Current	Yes
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--12-31
Entity Filer Category	Accelerated Filer
Entity Small Business	true
Entity Emerging Growth Company	false
Title of 12(b) Security	Common Stock, par value $0.001 per share
Security Exchange Name	NASDAQ
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		8,803,116
Entity Shell Company	false
Entity File Number	000-25032
Entity Incorporation, State or Country Code	DE
Entity Tax Identification Number	25-1724540
Entity Address, Address Line One	600 Mayer Street
Entity Address, City or Town	Bridgeville
Entity Address, State or Province	PA
Entity Address, Postal Zip Code	15017
City Area Code	412
Local Phone Number	257-7600
Document Quarterly Report	true
Document Transition Report	false