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Note 11 - Commitments and Contingencies (Details Textual) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2016 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2015 USD ($)
Operating Leases, Rent Expense	$ 9.7	$ 9.1	$ 8.7
Entity Number of Employees	280
Collective Bargaining Arrangements	9
General and Administrative Expense [Member]
Litigation Settlement, Expense	$ 1.0
Cost of Materials Sold [Member]
Litigation Settlement, Expense		$ 1.7

X

- Definition

Number of persons employed by the Entity

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	dei_EntityNumberOfEmployees
Namespace Prefix:	dei_
Data Type:	xbrli:decimalItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

X

- Definition

Amount of rent expense incurred for leased assets, including but not limited to, furniture and equipment, that is not directly or indirectly associated with the manufacture, sale or creation of a product or product line.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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

X

- Definition

Amount of litigation expense, including but not limited to legal, forensic, accounting, and investigative fees.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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

X

- Definition

Total number of collective bargaining units.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	zeus_CollectiveBargainingArrangements
Namespace Prefix:	zeus_
Data Type:	xbrli:integerItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

X

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_IncomeStatementLocationAxis=us-gaap_GeneralAndAdministrativeExpenseMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

X

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_IncomeStatementLocationAxis=zeus_CostOfMaterialsSoldMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type: