Segment Reporting - Sales and Segment Contribution Margin for Reporting Segments and Other Operating Results (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2019	Sep. 30, 2019	Jun. 30, 2019	Mar. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018	Sep. 30, 2018	Jun. 30, 2018	Mar. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
Segment Reporting Information
Total sales									$ 1,474,477	$ 1,577,298	$ 1,240,851
Selling, general and administrative	$ (37,325)	$ (40,208)	$ (38,659)	$ (34,656)	$ (32,168)	$ (37,980)	$ (42,232)	$ (34,591)	(150,848)	(146,971)	(107,056)
Depreciation, depletion and amortization	(42,819)	(47,126)	(44,899)	(44,600)	(46,527)	(37,150)	(36,563)	(28,592)	(179,444)	(148,832)	(97,233)
Goodwill and other asset impairments	(363,717)	(130)	0	0	(265,715)	0	(16,184)	0	(363,847)	(281,899)	0
Interest expense	(22,996)	(24,733)	(23,765)	(23,978)	(21,281)	(21,999)	(20,214)	(7,070)	(95,472)	(70,564)	(31,342)
Other income (expense), net, including interest income	443	3,280	15,074	722	1,336	1,062	1,081	665	19,519	4,144	(1,874)
Income tax benefit	91,892	7,671	(2,384)	1,972	37,938	1,547	(2,832)	(7,521)	99,151	29,132	8,680
Net (loss) income	(293,425)	(23,065)	6,061	(19,328)	(256,075)	6,316	17,644	31,294	(329,757)	(200,821)	145,206
Less: Net loss attributable to non-controlling interest	(554)	(28)	(89)	(4)	(13)	0	0	0	(675)	(13)	0
Net (loss) income attributable to U.S. Silica Holdings, Inc.	$ (292,871)	$ (23,037)	$ 6,150	$ (19,324)	$ (256,062)	$ 6,316	$ 17,644	$ 31,294	(329,082)	(200,808)	145,206
Operating Segments
Segment Reporting Information
Total sales									1,474,477	1,577,298	1,240,851
Total segment contribution margin									426,809	512,930	390,753
Segment Reconciling Items
Segment Reporting Information
Operating activities excluded from segment cost of sales(1)									(85,625)	(98,761)	(16,722)
Selling, general and administrative									(150,848)	(146,971)	(107,056)
Depreciation, depletion and amortization									(179,444)	(148,832)	(97,233)
Goodwill and other asset impairments									(363,847)	(281,899)	0
Interest expense									(95,472)	(70,564)	(31,342)
Other income (expense), net, including interest income									19,519	4,144	(1,874)
Oil & Gas Proppants
Segment Reporting Information
Total sales									1,010,521	1,182,991
Oil & Gas Proppants | Operating Segments
Segment Reporting Information
Total sales									1,010,521	1,182,991	1,020,365
Total segment contribution margin									248,594	357,846	301,972
Industrial & Specialty Products
Segment Reporting Information
Total sales									463,956	394,307
Industrial & Specialty Products | Operating Segments
Segment Reporting Information
Total sales									463,956	394,307	220,486
Total segment contribution margin									$ 178,215	$ 155,084	$ 88,781