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Note 4 - Inventories (Details) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended		3 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Mar. 31, 2013 Previously Unrecognized LIFO Income [Member] Pre-Tax Amounts [Member]	Mar. 31, 2013 Previously Unrecognized LIFO Income [Member] After-tax [Member]
Note 4 - Inventories (Details) [Line Items]
LIFO Inventory Amount	$ 43.9	$ 46.7
Percentage of LIFO Inventory	15.30%	16.10%
Inventory, LIFO Reserve, Effect on Income, Net	3,572.0		1.9	1.2
Inventory, LIFO Reserve, Period Charge	1.7
Inventory Difference Using FIFO Basis	$ 3.6

X

- Definition

The difference between the change in the inventory reserve representing the cumulative difference in cost between the first in, first out and the last in, first out inventory valuation methods and any LIFO decrement which have been reflected in the statement of income during the period.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

X

- Definition

The change in the inventory reserve representing the cumulative difference in cost between the first in, first out and the last in, first out inventory valuation methods, which change has been reflected in the statement of income during the period.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 210

-SubTopic 10

-Section S99

-Paragraph 1

-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02.6b)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6877327&loc=d3e13212-122682



Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 210

-SubTopic 10

-Section S99

-Paragraph 1

-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02.6a)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6877327&loc=d3e13212-122682



Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 210

-SubTopic 10

-Section S99

-Paragraph 1

-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02.6c)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6877327&loc=d3e13212-122682



Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher SEC

-Name Staff Accounting Bulletin (SAB)

-Number Topic 5

-Section L

+ Details

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Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

X

- Definition

The amount of LIFO (last in first out) inventory present at the reporting date when inventory is also valued using different valuation methods.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 210

-SubTopic 10

-Section 50

-Paragraph 1

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6361739&loc=d3e7789-107766

+ Details

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Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

X

- Definition

The percentage of LIFO (last in first out) inventory to total inventory as of the balance sheet date if other than 100 percent.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

X

- Definition

The difference in inventory balance if costed on a FICO basis compared to LIFO basis

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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Namespace Prefix:	zeus_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

X

- Details

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