Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
Statement of Comprehensive Income [Abstract]
Net Income	$ 12,494us-gaap_ProfitLoss	$ 11,350us-gaap_ProfitLoss
Other Comprehensive Income
Foreign currency translation	(6,359)	(2,598)
Pension and postretirement benefits liability adjustment (net of tax of $(1,845), and $(1,752), respectively)	2,898	2,753
Total Other Comprehensive (Loss) Income	(3,461)	155
Comprehensive Income	9,033	11,505
Less: Comprehensive (loss) income attributable to noncontrolling interests, net of tax	(189)	(95)
Comprehensive Income attributable to Graybar Electric Company, Inc.	$ 9,222us-gaap_ComprehensiveIncomeNetOfTax	$ 11,600us-gaap_ComprehensiveIncomeNetOfTax

Amount after tax of increase (decrease) in equity from transactions and other events and circumstances from net income and other comprehensive income, attributable to parent entity. Excludes changes in equity resulting from investments by owners and distributions to owners.

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Amount after tax of increase (decrease) in equity from transactions and other events and circumstances from net income (loss) and other comprehensive income (loss), attributable to noncontrolling interests. Excludes changes in equity resulting from investments by owners and distributions to owners.

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Amount after tax and reclassification adjustments of gain (loss) on foreign currency translation adjustments, foreign currency transactions designated and effective as economic hedges of a net investment in a foreign entity and intra-entity foreign currency transactions that are of a long-term-investment nature.

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Amount after tax and reclassification adjustments of other comprehensive income (loss).

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Amount after tax and reclassification adjustments, of (increase) decrease in accumulated other comprehensive (income) loss related to pension and other postretirement defined benefit plans.

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The consolidated profit or loss for the period, net of income taxes, including the portion attributable to the noncontrolling interest.

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