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Note 15 - Segment Information (Details Textual) $ in Thousands		12 Months Ended
		Dec. 31, 2017 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2016 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2015 USD ($)
Number of Reportable Segments		3
Goodwill and Intangible Asset Impairment	[1]			$ 24,951
Tubular and Pipe Products [Member]
Goodwill and Intangible Asset Impairment				24,451
Specialty Metals Flat Products [Member]
Goodwill and Intangible Asset Impairment				$ 500
[1] $24,451 of the goodwill and intangible asset impairment in 2015 related to the tubular and pipe products segment, $500 related to the specialty metals flat products segment.

X

- Definition

Total loss recognized during the period from the impairment of goodwill plus the loss recognized in the period resulting from the impairment of the carrying amount of intangible assets, other than goodwill.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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

X

- Definition

Number of segments reported by the entity. A reportable segment is a component of an entity for which there is an accounting requirement to report separate financial information on that component in the entity's financial statements.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_NumberOfReportableSegments
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:integerItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

X

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis=zeus_TubularAndPipeProductsMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

X

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis=zeus_SpecialtyMetalsFlatProductsMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type: