Consolidated Statements of Earnings - USD ($) shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands		12 Months Ended
		May 31, 2019	May 31, 2018	May 31, 2017
Income Statement [Abstract]
Net sales		$ 3,759,556	$ 3,581,620	$ 3,014,108
Cost of goods sold		3,279,601	3,018,763	2,478,203
Gross margin		479,955	562,857	535,905
Selling, general and administrative expense		338,392	367,460	316,373
Impairment of goodwill and long-lived assets		7,817	61,208
Restructuring and other expense (income), net		(11,018)	(7,421)	6,411
Operating income		144,764	141,610	213,121
Other income (expense):
Miscellaneous income, net		2,716	2,996	3,764
Interest expense		(38,063)	(38,675)	(29,796)
Equity in net income of unconsolidated affiliates		97,039	103,139	110,038
Earnings before income taxes		206,456	209,070	297,127
Income tax expense		43,183	8,220	79,190
Net earnings		163,273	200,850	217,937
Net earnings attributable to noncontrolling interests	[1]	9,818	6,056	13,422
Net earnings attributable to controlling interest		$ 153,455	$ 194,794	$ 204,515
Basic
Average common shares outstanding		57,196	60,923	62,443
Earnings per share attributable to controlling interest		$ 2.68	$ 3.20	$ 3.28
Diluted
Average common shares outstanding		58,823	63,042	64,874
Earnings per share attributable to controlling interest		$ 2.61	$ 3.09	$ 3.15

[1] Net earnings attributable to noncontrolling interests are not taxable to Worthington.