Consolidated Statements of Earnings - USD ($) shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands		12 Months Ended
		May 31, 2020	May 31, 2019	May 31, 2018
Income Statement [Abstract]
Net sales		$ 3,059,119	$ 3,759,556	$ 3,581,620
Cost of goods sold		2,615,782	3,279,601	3,018,763
Gross margin		443,337	479,955	562,857
Selling, general and administrative expense		328,110	338,392	367,460
Impairment of goodwill and long-lived assets		82,690	7,817	61,208
Restructuring and other expense (income), net		10,048	(11,018)	(7,421)
Operating income		22,489	144,764	141,610
Other income (expense):
Miscellaneous income, net		9,099	2,716	2,996
Interest expense		(31,616)	(38,063)	(38,675)
Loss on extinguishment of debt		(4,034)
Equity in net income of unconsolidated affiliates		114,848	97,039	103,139
Earnings before income taxes		110,786	206,456	209,070
Income tax expense		26,342	43,183	8,220
Net earnings		84,444	163,273	200,850
Net earnings attributable to noncontrolling interests	[1]	5,648	9,818	6,056
Net earnings attributable to controlling interest		$ 78,796	$ 153,455	$ 194,794
Basic
Average common shares outstanding		54,958	57,196	60,923
Earnings per share attributable to controlling interest		$ 1.43	$ 2.68	$ 3.20
Diluted
Average common shares outstanding		55,983	58,823	63,042
Earnings per share attributable to controlling interest		$ 1.41	$ 2.61	$ 3.09

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