Consolidated Statements Of Operations (USD $) In Millions, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Income Statement [Abstract]
Net sales	$ 3,746.0	$ 3,706.1	$ 3,618.9
Cost of goods sold	2,998.8	2,959.4	2,950.4
Gross profit	747.2	746.7	668.5
Selling and administrative expenses	394.8	377.8	378.0
Amortization of intangibles	26.0	25.7	17.7
Impairment of goodwill	63.0	0	0
Other (income) expense, net	(21.4)	(0.2)	7.5
Earnings from continuing operations before interest and income taxes	284.8	343.4	265.3
Interest expense	44.7	43.4	38.3
Interest income	7.7	6.5	6.7
Earnings from continuing operations before income taxes	247.8	306.5	233.7
Income taxes	55.0	63.2	59.9
Earnings from continuing operations	192.8	243.3	173.8
Earnings (loss) from discontinued operations, net of tax	6.9	7.2	(17.4)
Net earnings	199.7	250.5	156.4
(Earnings) attributable to noncontrolling interest, net of tax	(2.4)	(2.3)	(3.1)
Net earnings attributable to Leggett & Platt, Inc. common shareholders	$ 197.3	$ 248.2	$ 153.3
Earnings per share from continuing operations attributable to Leggett & Platt, Inc. common shareholders
Basic (in dollars per share)	$ 1.31	$ 1.67	$ 1.17
Diluted (in dollars per share)	$ 1.29	$ 1.65	$ 1.16
Earnings (loss) per share from discontinued operations attributable to Leggett & Platt, Inc. common shareholders
Basic (in dollars per share)	$ 0.05	$ 0.05	$ (0.12)
Diluted (in dollars per share)	$ 0.05	$ 0.05	$ (0.12)
Net earnings per share attributable to Leggett & Platt, Inc. common shareholders
Basic (in dollars per share)	$ 1.36	$ 1.72	$ 1.05
Diluted (in dollars per share)	$ 1.34	$ 1.70	$ 1.04