Financial Statements - Percentage of Sales by Major Product Line (Detail)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]
Percentage of sales by major product lines	100.00%	100.00%	100.00%	100.00%
Carbon Steel Flat [Member]
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]
Percentage of sales by major product lines	25.00%	26.00%	26.00%	26.00%
Carbon Steel Plate [Member]
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]
Percentage of sales by major product lines	11.00%	11.00%	11.00%	11.00%
Carbon Steel Long [Member]
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]
Percentage of sales by major product lines	16.00%	15.00%	16.00%	15.00%
Stainless Steel Flat [Member]
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]
Percentage of sales by major product lines	16.00%	16.00%	16.00%	16.00%
Stainless Steel Plate [Member]
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]
Percentage of sales by major product lines	4.00%	4.00%	4.00%	4.00%
Stainless Steel Long [Member]
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]
Percentage of sales by major product lines	4.00%	3.00%	4.00%	3.00%
Aluminum Flat [Member]
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]
Percentage of sales by major product lines	15.00%	15.00%	14.00%	15.00%
Aluminum Plate [Member]
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]
Percentage of sales by major product lines	3.00%	3.00%	3.00%	3.00%
Aluminum Long [Member]
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]
Percentage of sales by major product lines	4.00%	4.00%	4.00%	4.00%
Other [Member]
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]
Percentage of sales by major product lines	2.00%	3.00%	2.00%	3.00%

RYERSON INC. 10-Q