Note 4 - Inventories (Details Textual) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2024	Mar. 31, 2023	Dec. 31, 2023
LIFO Inventory Amount	$ 37,100		$ 38,200
Percentage of LIFO Inventory	9.30%		9.90%
Inventory, LIFO Reserve, Effect on Income, Net	$ 400	$ 0
Inventory Difference Using FIFO Basis	$ 12,400		$ 12,000

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.

No definition available.

+ Details

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

- 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/exampleRef
-Topic 210
-SubTopic 10
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Section 50
-Paragraph 1
-Publisher FASB
-URI https://asc.fasb.org/1943274/2147483489/210-10-50-1

+ Details

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

- 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

Name:	us-gaap_PercentageOfLIFOInventory
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	dtr-types:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

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

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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