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Share-Based Compensation Plans (Details) (USD $)
In Millions, except Share data, unless otherwise specified
12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2014
Dec. 31, 2013
Dec. 31, 2012
Dec. 31, 2011
Dec. 31, 2010
Share-Based Compensation Plans          
Shares authorized for future grant 2,565,196us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardNumberOfSharesAvailableForGrant        
Additional share-based compensation disclosures          
Proceed from option exercises $ 28.8us-gaap_ProceedsFromStockOptionsExercised $ 70.1us-gaap_ProceedsFromStockOptionsExercised $ 42.1us-gaap_ProceedsFromStockOptionsExercised    
Stock options          
Number of shares          
Outstanding at the beginning of the period (in shares) 1,937,241us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsOutstandingNumber
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_EmployeeStockOptionMember
3,405,500us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsOutstandingNumber
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_EmployeeStockOptionMember
4,515,560us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsOutstandingNumber
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_EmployeeStockOptionMember
   
Exercised (in shares) (593,204)us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodSharesStockOptionsExercised
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_EmployeeStockOptionMember
(1,437,053)us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodSharesStockOptionsExercised
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_EmployeeStockOptionMember
(1,018,010)us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodSharesStockOptionsExercised
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_EmployeeStockOptionMember
   
Expired or forfeited (in shares) (16,625)us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsForfeituresAndExpirationsInPeriod
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_EmployeeStockOptionMember
(31,206)us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsForfeituresAndExpirationsInPeriod
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_EmployeeStockOptionMember
(92,050)us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsForfeituresAndExpirationsInPeriod
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_EmployeeStockOptionMember
   
Outstanding at the end of the period (in shares) 1,327,412us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsOutstandingNumber
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_EmployeeStockOptionMember
1,937,241us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsOutstandingNumber
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_EmployeeStockOptionMember
3,405,500us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsOutstandingNumber
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_EmployeeStockOptionMember
   
Exercisable at the end of the period (in shares) 1,104,999us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsExercisableNumber
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_EmployeeStockOptionMember
       
Weighted Average Exercise Price          
Outstanding at the beginning of the period, Weighted Average Exercise Price (in dollars per share) $ 49.35us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsOutstandingWeightedAverageExercisePrice
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_EmployeeStockOptionMember
$ 49.12us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsOutstandingWeightedAverageExercisePrice
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_EmployeeStockOptionMember
$ 47.39us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsOutstandingWeightedAverageExercisePrice
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_EmployeeStockOptionMember
   
Exercised, Weighted Average Exercise Price (in dollars per share) $ 48.58us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsExercisesInPeriodWeightedAverageExercisePrice
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_EmployeeStockOptionMember
$ 48.78us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsExercisesInPeriodWeightedAverageExercisePrice
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_EmployeeStockOptionMember
$ 41.40us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsExercisesInPeriodWeightedAverageExercisePrice
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_EmployeeStockOptionMember
   
Expired or forfeited, Weighted Average Exercise Price (in dollars per share) $ 52.13us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsForfeituresAndExpirationsInPeriodWeightedAverageExercisePrice
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_EmployeeStockOptionMember
$ 51.37us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsForfeituresAndExpirationsInPeriodWeightedAverageExercisePrice
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_EmployeeStockOptionMember
$ 49.55us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsForfeituresAndExpirationsInPeriodWeightedAverageExercisePrice
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_EmployeeStockOptionMember
   
Outstanding at the end of the period, Weighted Average Exercise Price (in dollars per share) $ 49.66us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsOutstandingWeightedAverageExercisePrice
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_EmployeeStockOptionMember
$ 49.35us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsOutstandingWeightedAverageExercisePrice
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_EmployeeStockOptionMember
$ 49.12us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsOutstandingWeightedAverageExercisePrice
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_EmployeeStockOptionMember
   
Exercisable at the end of the period, Weighted Average Exercise Price (in dollars per share) $ 48.43us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsExercisableWeightedAverageExercisePrice
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_EmployeeStockOptionMember
       
Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Term          
Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Term, stock options outstanding (in years) 2 years 3 months 18 days        
Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Term, stock options exercisable (in years) 2 years 2 months 12 days        
Aggregate Intrinsic Value (In millions)          
Aggregate Intrinsic Value, options outstanding 15.5us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsOutstandingIntrinsicValue
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_EmployeeStockOptionMember
       
Aggregate Intrinsic Value, options exercisable 14.3us-gaap_SharebasedCompensationArrangementBySharebasedPaymentAwardOptionsExercisableIntrinsicValue1
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_EmployeeStockOptionMember
       
Vesting period (in years) 4 years        
Award expiration term (in years) 7 years        
Changes in non-vested stock options          
Non-vested at the beginning of the period (in shares) 683,725us-gaap_SharebasedCompensationArrangementBySharebasedPaymentAwardOptionsNonvestedNumberOfShares
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_EmployeeStockOptionMember
       
Forfeited (in shares) (16,625)us-gaap_SharebasedCompensationArrangementBySharebasedPaymentAwardOptionsNonvestedOptionsForfeitedNumberOfShares
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_EmployeeStockOptionMember
       
Vested (in shares) (444,687)us-gaap_SharebasedCompensationArrangementBySharebasedPaymentAwardOptionsVestedNumberOfShares
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_EmployeeStockOptionMember
       
Non-vested at the end of the period (in shares) 222,413us-gaap_SharebasedCompensationArrangementBySharebasedPaymentAwardOptionsNonvestedNumberOfShares
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_EmployeeStockOptionMember
683,725us-gaap_SharebasedCompensationArrangementBySharebasedPaymentAwardOptionsNonvestedNumberOfShares
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_EmployeeStockOptionMember
     
Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value          
Non-vested options at the beginning of the period (in dollars per share) $ 24.93us-gaap_SharebasedCompensationArrangementBySharebasedPaymentAwardOptionsNonvestedWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_EmployeeStockOptionMember
       
Forfeited (in dollars per shares) $ 25.15us-gaap_SharebasedCompensationArrangementBySharebasedPaymentAwardOptionsNonvestedOptionsForfeitedWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_EmployeeStockOptionMember
       
Vested (in dollars per shares) $ 23.90us-gaap_SharebasedCompensationArrangementBySharebasedPaymentAwardOptionsVestedWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_EmployeeStockOptionMember
       
Non-vested options at the end of the period (in dollars per shares) $ 26.98us-gaap_SharebasedCompensationArrangementBySharebasedPaymentAwardOptionsNonvestedWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_EmployeeStockOptionMember
$ 24.93us-gaap_SharebasedCompensationArrangementBySharebasedPaymentAwardOptionsNonvestedWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_EmployeeStockOptionMember
     
Additional share-based compensation disclosures          
Total unrecognized compensation cost 23.6us-gaap_EmployeeServiceShareBasedCompensationNonvestedAwardsTotalCompensationCostNotYetRecognized
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_EmployeeStockOptionMember
       
Weighted average recognition period for unrecognized compensation cost (in years) 1 year 1 month 13 days        
Proceed from option exercises 28.8us-gaap_ProceedsFromStockOptionsExercised
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_EmployeeStockOptionMember
70.1us-gaap_ProceedsFromStockOptionsExercised
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_EmployeeStockOptionMember
42.1us-gaap_ProceedsFromStockOptionsExercised
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_EmployeeStockOptionMember
   
Total intrinsic value of all options exercised 13.5us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsExercisesInPeriodTotalIntrinsicValue
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_EmployeeStockOptionMember
29.0us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsExercisesInPeriodTotalIntrinsicValue
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_EmployeeStockOptionMember
15.5us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsExercisesInPeriodTotalIntrinsicValue
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_EmployeeStockOptionMember
   
Tax benefit realized from option exercises $ 10.7us-gaap_DeferredTaxExpenseFromStockOptionsExercised
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_EmployeeStockOptionMember
$ 11.5us-gaap_DeferredTaxExpenseFromStockOptionsExercised
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_EmployeeStockOptionMember
$ 5.4us-gaap_DeferredTaxExpenseFromStockOptionsExercised
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_EmployeeStockOptionMember
   
Stock options | Non-employee director          
Number of shares          
Outstanding at the end of the period (in shares) 104,000us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsOutstandingNumber
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_EmployeeStockOptionMember
/ us-gaap_TitleOfIndividualAxis
= us-gaap_DirectorMember
       
Aggregate Intrinsic Value (In millions)          
Vesting period (in years) 1 year        
Restricted stock, 2011 grant          
Restricted Shares          
Restricted stock granted (in shares)       86,000us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsGrantsInPeriod
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= rs_RestrictedStock2011Member
 
Fair value of restricted stock granted (in dollars per share)       $ 37.29us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsGrantsInPeriodWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= rs_RestrictedStock2011Member
 
Changes in non-vested restricted stock grants and RSUs          
Granted (in shares)       86,000us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsGrantsInPeriod
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= rs_RestrictedStock2011Member
 
Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value          
Granted (in dollars per shares)       $ 37.29us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsGrantsInPeriodWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= rs_RestrictedStock2011Member
 
Restricted stock, 2012 grant          
Restricted Shares          
Restricted stock granted (in shares)     391,050us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsGrantsInPeriod
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= rs_RestrictedStockUnitsRSU2012Member
   
The number of grants made during the period on the basis service and performance criteria other than stock (or unit) option plans (for example, phantom stock or unit plan, stock or unit appreciation rights plan, performance target plan).     138,700rs_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsGrantsInPeriodOnTheBasisOfServiceAndPerformanceCriteria
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= rs_RestrictedStockUnitsRSU2012Member
   
Fair value of restricted stock granted (in dollars per share)     $ 57.42us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsGrantsInPeriodWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= rs_RestrictedStockUnitsRSU2012Member
   
Share of common stock 1rs_ShareOfCommonStock
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= rs_RestrictedStockUnitsRSU2012Member
       
Changes in non-vested restricted stock grants and RSUs          
Granted (in shares)     391,050us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsGrantsInPeriod
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= rs_RestrictedStockUnitsRSU2012Member
   
Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value          
Granted (in dollars per shares)     $ 57.42us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsGrantsInPeriodWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= rs_RestrictedStockUnitsRSU2012Member
   
Restricted stock, 2013 grant          
Restricted Shares          
Restricted stock granted (in shares)   327,780us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsGrantsInPeriod
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= rs_RestrictedStockUnitsRSU2013Member
     
The number of grants made during the period on the basis service and performance criteria other than stock (or unit) option plans (for example, phantom stock or unit plan, stock or unit appreciation rights plan, performance target plan).   136,225rs_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsGrantsInPeriodOnTheBasisOfServiceAndPerformanceCriteria
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= rs_RestrictedStockUnitsRSU2013Member
     
Fair value of restricted stock granted (in dollars per share)   $ 65.75us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsGrantsInPeriodWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= rs_RestrictedStockUnitsRSU2013Member
     
Share of common stock 1rs_ShareOfCommonStock
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= rs_RestrictedStockUnitsRSU2013Member
       
Changes in non-vested restricted stock grants and RSUs          
Granted (in shares)   327,780us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsGrantsInPeriod
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= rs_RestrictedStockUnitsRSU2013Member
     
Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value          
Granted (in dollars per shares)   $ 65.75us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsGrantsInPeriodWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= rs_RestrictedStockUnitsRSU2013Member
     
Restricted stock, 2014 grant          
Restricted Shares          
Restricted stock granted (in shares) 349,380us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsGrantsInPeriod
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= rs_RestrictedStockUnitsRSU2014Member
       
The number of grants made during the period on the basis service and performance criteria other than stock (or unit) option plans (for example, phantom stock or unit plan, stock or unit appreciation rights plan, performance target plan). 136,162rs_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsGrantsInPeriodOnTheBasisOfServiceAndPerformanceCriteria
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= rs_RestrictedStockUnitsRSU2014Member
       
Fair value of restricted stock granted (in dollars per share) $ 71.15us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsGrantsInPeriodWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= rs_RestrictedStockUnitsRSU2014Member
       
Share of common stock 1rs_ShareOfCommonStock
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= rs_RestrictedStockUnitsRSU2014Member
       
Changes in non-vested restricted stock grants and RSUs          
Granted (in shares) 349,380us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsGrantsInPeriod
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= rs_RestrictedStockUnitsRSU2014Member
       
Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value          
Granted (in dollars per shares) $ 71.15us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsGrantsInPeriodWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= rs_RestrictedStockUnitsRSU2014Member
       
Options with ten-year term | Non-employee director          
Number of shares          
Outstanding at the end of the period (in shares) 110,199us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsOutstandingNumber
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= rs_EmployeeStockOptionWithTenYearTermMember
/ us-gaap_TitleOfIndividualAxis
= us-gaap_DirectorMember
       
Aggregate Intrinsic Value (In millions)          
Award expiration term (in years) 10 years        
Restricted stock, 2010 grant          
Restricted Shares          
Restricted stock granted (in shares)         61,000us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsGrantsInPeriod
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= rs_RestrictedStock2010Member
Fair value of restricted stock granted (in dollars per share)         $ 41.24us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsGrantsInPeriodWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= rs_RestrictedStock2010Member
Changes in non-vested restricted stock grants and RSUs          
Granted (in shares)         61,000us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsGrantsInPeriod
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= rs_RestrictedStock2010Member
Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value          
Granted (in dollars per shares)         $ 41.24us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsGrantsInPeriodWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= rs_RestrictedStock2010Member
Restricted stock and RSUs          
Restricted Shares          
Restricted stock granted (in shares) 361,210us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsGrantsInPeriod
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= rs_RestrictedStockAndRestrictedStockUnitsMember
       
Fair value of restricted stock granted (in dollars per share) $ 71.14us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsGrantsInPeriodWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= rs_RestrictedStockAndRestrictedStockUnitsMember
       
Number of shares unvested and outstanding 846,760us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsNonvestedNumber
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= rs_RestrictedStockAndRestrictedStockUnitsMember
       
Changes in non-vested restricted stock grants and RSUs          
Non-vested at the beginning of the period (in shares) 771,780us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsNonvestedNumber
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= rs_RestrictedStockAndRestrictedStockUnitsMember
       
Granted (in shares) 361,210us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsGrantsInPeriod
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= rs_RestrictedStockAndRestrictedStockUnitsMember
       
Forfeited (in shares) (17,150)us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsForfeitedInPeriod
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= rs_RestrictedStockAndRestrictedStockUnitsMember
       
Vested (in shares) (269,080)us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsVestedInPeriod
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= rs_RestrictedStockAndRestrictedStockUnitsMember
       
Non-vested at the end of the period (in shares) 846,760us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsNonvestedNumber
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= rs_RestrictedStockAndRestrictedStockUnitsMember
       
Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value          
Non-vested at the beginning of the period (in dollars per share) $ 59.06us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsNonvestedWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= rs_RestrictedStockAndRestrictedStockUnitsMember
       
Granted (in dollars per shares) $ 71.14us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsGrantsInPeriodWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= rs_RestrictedStockAndRestrictedStockUnitsMember
       
Forfeited (in dollars per shares) $ 63.23us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsForfeituresWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= rs_RestrictedStockAndRestrictedStockUnitsMember
       
Vested (in dollars per shares) $ 56.00us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsVestedInPeriodWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= rs_RestrictedStockAndRestrictedStockUnitsMember
       
Non-vested at the end of the period (in dollars per shares) $ 65.10us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsNonvestedWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= rs_RestrictedStockAndRestrictedStockUnitsMember
       
Restricted stock | Directors Equity Plan          
Restricted Shares          
Restricted stock granted (in shares) 11,830us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsGrantsInPeriod
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_RestrictedStockMember
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= rs_DirectorsEquityPlanMember
12,418us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsGrantsInPeriod
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_RestrictedStockMember
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= rs_DirectorsEquityPlanMember
16,842us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsGrantsInPeriod
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_RestrictedStockMember
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= rs_DirectorsEquityPlanMember
   
Fair value of restricted stock granted (in dollars per share) $ 70.99us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsGrantsInPeriodWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_RestrictedStockMember
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= rs_DirectorsEquityPlanMember
$ 67.63us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsGrantsInPeriodWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_RestrictedStockMember
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= rs_DirectorsEquityPlanMember
$ 49.87us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsGrantsInPeriodWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_RestrictedStockMember
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= rs_DirectorsEquityPlanMember
   
Changes in non-vested restricted stock grants and RSUs          
Granted (in shares) 11,830us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsGrantsInPeriod
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_RestrictedStockMember
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= rs_DirectorsEquityPlanMember
12,418us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsGrantsInPeriod
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_RestrictedStockMember
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= rs_DirectorsEquityPlanMember
16,842us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsGrantsInPeriod
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_RestrictedStockMember
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= rs_DirectorsEquityPlanMember
   
Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value          
Granted (in dollars per shares) $ 70.99us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsGrantsInPeriodWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_RestrictedStockMember
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= rs_DirectorsEquityPlanMember
$ 67.63us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsGrantsInPeriodWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_RestrictedStockMember
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= rs_DirectorsEquityPlanMember
$ 49.87us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsGrantsInPeriodWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_RestrictedStockMember
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= rs_DirectorsEquityPlanMember
   
Restricted stock 2010 and 2011 grant          
Aggregate Intrinsic Value (In millions)          
Vesting period (in years) 5 years        
Restricted Shares          
Number of shares unvested and outstanding 46,600us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsNonvestedNumber
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= rs_RestrictedStockGrant2010And2011Member
       
Changes in non-vested restricted stock grants and RSUs          
Non-vested at the end of the period (in shares) 46,600us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsNonvestedNumber
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= rs_RestrictedStockGrant2010And2011Member