Note 6 - Derivative Instruments (Details Textual) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended	9 Months Ended
Sep. 30, 2015 USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2015 USD ($)
Minimum [Member] \| Nickel Swaps [Member]
Derivative, Remaining Maturity		1 year
Minimum [Member] \| Carbon Swaps [Member] \| Prepaid Expenses and Other Current Assets [Member]
Derivative, Remaining Maturity		1 year
Minimum [Member] \| Carbon Swaps [Member]
Derivative, Remaining Maturity		1 year
Minimum [Member] \| Cash Flow Hedging [Member]
Derivative Premium Rate	1.75%	1.75%
Minimum [Member]
Derivative Premium Rate	1.75%	1.75%
Maximum [Member] \| Nickel Swaps [Member]
Derivative, Remaining Maturity		8 years
Maximum [Member] \| Carbon Swaps [Member]
Derivative, Remaining Maturity		3 years
Maximum [Member] \| Cash Flow Hedging [Member]
Derivative Premium Rate	1.25%	1.25%
Maximum [Member]
Derivative Premium Rate	2.25%	2.25%
Cost of Materials Sold [Member] \| Nickel Swaps [Member]
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) Recognized in Income, Ineffective Portion and Amount Excluded from Effectiveness Testing, Net	$ 544	$ 1,600
Interest Rate Swap [Member] \| Cash Flow Hedging [Member]
Long-term Line of Credit	33,500	33,500
Fixed Rate Interest Hedge Notional Monthly Decrease		729
Interest Rate Swap [Member]
Long-term Line of Credit	33,500	33,500
Fixed Rate Interest Hedge Notional Monthly Decrease		729
London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR) [Member] \| A B L Credit Facility [Member] \| Term Loan Member [Member]
Long-term Line of Credit	$ 53,200	$ 53,200
Cash Flow Hedging [Member]
Derivative, Fixed Interest Rate	1.21%	1.21%
Derivative, Fixed Interest Rate	1.21%	1.21%

Fixed interest rate related to the interest rate derivative.

No definition available.

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

- Definition

The portion of gains and losses (net) on derivative instruments designated and qualifying as hedging instruments representing (a) the amount of the hedge ineffectiveness and (b) the amount, if any, excluded from the assessment of hedge effectiveness.

+ References

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

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 815

-SubTopic 10

-Section 50

-Paragraph 4C

-Subparagraph (d)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=56946850&loc=SL5624171-113959

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

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 815

-SubTopic 25

-Section 50

-Paragraph 1

-Subparagraph (a)(1),(2)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6886632&loc=d3e76258-113986

+ Details

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Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Period remaining until the derivative contract matures, in 'PnYnMnDTnHnMnS' format, for example, 'P1Y5M13D' represents the reported fact of one year, five months, and thirteen days.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:durationItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

The carrying value as of the balance sheet date of the current and noncurrent portions of long-term obligations drawn from a line of credit, which is a bank's commitment to make loans up to a specific amount. Examples of items that might be included in the application of this element may consist of letters of credit, standby letters of credit, and revolving credit arrangements, under which borrowings can be made up to a maximum amount as of any point in time conditional on satisfaction of specified terms before, as of and after the date of drawdowns on the line. Includes short-term obligations that would normally be classified as current liabilities but for which (a) postbalance sheet date issuance of a long term obligation to refinance the short term obligation on a long term basis, or (b) the enterprise has entered into a financing agreement that clearly permits the enterprise to refinance the short-term obligation on a long term basis and the following conditions are met (1) the agreement does not expire within 1 year and is not cancelable by the lender except for violation of an objectively determinable provision, (2) no violation exists at the BS date, and (3) the lender has entered into the financing agreement is expected to be financially capable of honoring the agreement.

+ References

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

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 942

-SubTopic 210

-Section S99

-Paragraph 1

-Subparagraph (SX 210.9-03.16)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6876686&loc=d3e534808-122878

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

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 944

-SubTopic 210

-Section S99

-Paragraph 1

-Subparagraph (SX 210.7-03.16)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6879938&loc=d3e572229-122910

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

-Publisher SEC

-Name Regulation S-X (SX)

-Number 210

-Section 02

-Paragraph 19, 20, 22

-Article 5

+ Details

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

- Definition

The premium rate of a derivative instrument.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	zeus_DerivativePremiumRate
Namespace Prefix:	zeus_
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

The amount by which a fixed rate interest hedge notional amount is decreased on a monthly basis.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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

- Details

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- Details

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Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
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- Details

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Data Type:	na
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- Details

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- Details

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- Details

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- Details

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- Details

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- Details

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Data Type:	na
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- Details

Name:	us-gaap_VariableRateAxis=us-gaap_LondonInterbankOfferedRateLIBORMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityAxis=zeus_ABLCreditFacilityMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis=zeus_TermLoanMemberMember
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