Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2015
Statement of Comprehensive Income [Abstract]
Net Income	$ 30,196	$ 28,397	$ 70,987	$ 66,036
Other Comprehensive Income
Foreign currency translation	(1,148)	(6,082)	4,012	(10,738)
Pension and postretirement benefits liability adjustment (net of tax of $(1,762), $(1,881), $(5,286), and $(5,644), respectively)	2,767	2,955	8,301	8,864
Total Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)	1,619	(3,127)	12,313	(1,874)
Comprehensive Income	31,815	25,270	83,300	64,162
Less: Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests, net of tax	25	(188)	387	(261)
Comprehensive Income attributable to Graybar Electric Company, Inc.	$ 31,790	$ 25,458	$ 82,913	$ 64,423