Note 1 - Summary of Significant Accounting Policies	12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2012
Significant Accounting Policies [Text Block]	1. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies: Principles of Consolidation The accompanying consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Olympic Steel, Inc. and its wholly-owned subsidiaries (collectively, the Company or Olympic), after elimination of intercompany accounts and transactions. Investment in the Company’s joint venture was accounted for under the equity method. Nature of Business The Company is a leading U.S. metals service center specializing in the processing and distribution of large volumes of carbon, coated, aluminum and stainless steel, flat-rolled sheet, coil and plate products and tubular and pipe products from facilities throughout the United States. Commencing with the July 1, 2011 acquisition of Chicago Tube and Iron Company (CTI), the Company operates in two reportable segments; flat products and tubular and pipe products. Through its flat products segment, the Company sells and distributes large volumes of processed carbon, coated, aluminum and stainless flat-rolled sheet, coil and plate products. Through its tubular and pipe products segment, the Company distributes metals tubing, pipe, bar, valve and fittings and the fabrication of pressure parts supplied to various industrial markets. Accounting Estimates The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates. Concentration Risks The Company is a major customer of flat-rolled coil and plate and tubular and pipe steel for many of its principal suppliers, but is not dependent on any one supplier. The Company purchased approximately 39%, 49% and 37% of its total steel requirements from its three largest suppliers in 2012, 2011 and 2010, respectively. The Company has a diversified customer and geographic base, which reduces the inherent risk and cyclicality of its business. The concentration of net sales to the Company’s top 20 customers approximated 31%, 32% and 34% of consolidated net sales in 2012, 2011 and 2010, respectively. In addition, the Company’s largest customer accounted for approximately 4%, 4% and 5% of consolidated net sales in 2012, 2011 and 2010, respectively. Sales to the three largest U.S. automobile manufacturers and their suppliers and sales to other steel service centers, accounted for approximately 8.4% and 7.6%, respectively, of the Company’s consolidated net sales in 2012, 9.9% and 9.0% of consolidated net sales in 2011, and 12.3% and 10.7% of consolidated net sales in 2010. Cash and Cash Equivalents Cash equivalents consist of short-term highly liquid investments, with a three month or less maturity, which are readily convertible into cash. Fair Market Value Fair value is defined as the exchange price that would be received for an asset or paid to transfer a liability in the principal or most advantageous market for the liability in an orderly transaction between market participants on the measurement date. Valuation techniques must maximize the use of observable inputs and minimize the use of unobservable inputs. To measure fair value, the Company applies a fair value hierarchy that is based on three levels of inputs, of which the first two are considered observable and the last unobservable, as follows: Level 1 – Quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities. Level 2 – Inputs other than Level 1 that are observable, either directly or indirectly, such as quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities; quoted prices that are not active; or other inputs that are observable or can be corroborated by observable market data for substantially the full term of the assets or liabilities. Level 3 – Unobservable inputs that are supported by little or no market activity and that are significant to the fair value of the assets or liabilities. Financial instruments, such as cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable, accounts payable and the credit facility revolver, are stated at their carrying value, which is a reasonable estimate of fair value. The fair value of marketable securities is based on quoted market prices. Accounts Receivable Accounts receivable are presented net of allowances for doubtful accounts and unissued credits of $2,781 and $2,883 as of December 31, 2012 and 2011, respectively. Bad debt expense totaled $322 in 2012, $1,125 in 2011 and $3,031 in 2010. The Company’s allowance for doubtful accounts is maintained at a level considered appropriate based on historical experience and specific customer collection issues that the Company has identified. Estimations are based upon a calculated percentage of accounts receivable, which remains fairly level from year to year, and judgments about the probable effects of economic conditions on certain customers, which can fluctuate significantly from year to year. The Company cannot guarantee that the rate of future credit losses will be similar to past experience. Inventories Inventories are stated at the lower of cost or market and include the costs of purchased metals, inbound freight, external processing and applicable labor and overhead costs. Costs of our flat products segment’s inventories, including flat-rolled sheet, coil and plate products are determined using the specific identification method. As a result of the acquisition of CTI, certain of the Company’s tubular and pipe products inventory is stated under the LIFO method, which is not in excess of market. At December 31, 2012, approximately $46,711 thousand, or 16.1% of consolidated inventory, was reported under the LIFO method of accounting. The cost of the remainder of CTI’s inventory is determined using a weighted average rolling first-in, first-out (FIFO) method. On the Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income, “Cost of materials sold (exclusive of items shown separately below)” consists of the cost of purchased metals, inbound and internal transfer freight, external processing costs, LIFO reserve and inventory lower of cost or market adjustments. Property and Equipment, and Depreciation Property and equipment are stated at cost. Depreciation is provided using the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the assets ranging from two years to 30 years. The Company capitalizes the costs of obtaining or developing internal-use software, including directly related payroll costs. The Company amortizes those costs over five years, beginning when the software is ready for its intended use. Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets Goodwill represents the excess of the purchase price paid over the fair value of the net assets acquired. We perform an annual impairment test of goodwill for our Southern region, Integrity Stainless and CTI operations and indefinite-lived intangible assets for our CTI operation in the fourth quarter, or more frequently if changes in circumstances or the occurrence of events indicate potential impairment. Events or changes in circumstances that could trigger an impairment review include significant nonperformance relative to the expected historical or projected future operating results, significant changes in the manner of the use of the acquired assets or the strategy for the overall business or significant negative industry or economic trends. The fair value of each indefinite-lived intangible asset is compared to its carrying value and an impairment charge is recorded if the carrying value exceeds the fair value. Goodwill is tested by comparing the fair value of each reporting unit with its carrying value. If the carrying value of the reporting unit exceeds its fair value, the implied value of goodwill is compared to its carrying value and impairment is recognized to the extent that the carrying value exceeds the implied fair value. We estimate the fair value of goodwill and other indefinite-lived intangible assets using a discounted cash flow methodology, an income approach, and a publicly traded companies guideline method, a market approach. Management’s assumptions used for the calculations are based on historical results, projected financial information and recent economic events. Actual results could differ from these estimates under different assumptions or conditions which could adversely affect the reported value of goodwill. Income Taxes The Company, on its consolidated balance sheets, records as an offset to the estimated effect of temporary differences between the tax basis of assets and liabilities and the reported amounts in its consolidated balance sheets, the tax effect of operating loss and tax credit carryforwards. If the Company determines that it will not be able to fully realize a deferred tax asset, it will record a valuation allowance to reduce such deferred tax asset to its realizable value. The Company recognizes interest accrued related to unrecognized tax benefits in income tax expense. Penalties, if incurred, would be recognized as a component of income tax expense. Revenue Recognition For both direct and toll shipments, revenue is recognized when title and risk of loss is transferred, which generally occurs upon delivery to our customers. Given the proximity of the Company’s customers to its facilities, substantially all of the Company’s sales are shipped and received within one day. Sales returns and allowances are treated as reductions to sales and are provided for based on historical experience and current estimates and are immaterial to the consolidated financial statements. The engineered products produced by CTI typically take several months to produce due to their size and complexity. Substantially all projects are completed within six months. The Company may request advance payments from customers during the production of these products. These payments are included in current short-term liabilities on the Company’s Consolidated Balance Sheet. Due to their short-term nature, the Company uses the units of delivery method to account for these contracts. Revenue for the contracts is recognized when the product is shipped and title of the product transfers to the customers. Revenue for these engineered products accounted for less than 1.3% of our net sales during 2012 and for approximately 1.0% of our net sales during 2011. Shipping and Handling Fees and Costs Amounts charged to customers for shipping and other transportation are included in net sales. The distribution expense line on the accompanying Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income is entirely comprised of all shipping and other transportation costs incurred by the Company in shipping goods to its customers. Impairment The Company evaluates the recoverability of long-lived assets and the related estimated remaining lives whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying value may not be recoverable. Events or changes in circumstances that could trigger an impairment review include significant underperformance relative to the expected historical or projected future operating results, significant changes in the manner of the use of the acquired assets or the strategy for the overall business or significant negative industry or economic trends. The Company records an impairment or change in useful life whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount may not be recoverable or the useful life has changed. Due to the impairment of the Southern region’s goodwill, a triggering event occurred for the long-lived assets of the Southern region. We performed an undiscounted cash flow analysis which indicated that there were no indicators of impairment of the long-lived assets of the Southern region. Purchase Price Accounting Business combinations are accounted for using the purchase method of accounting. This method requires the Company to record assets and liabilities of the business acquired at their estimated fair market values as of the acquisition date. Any excess of the cost of the acquisition over the fair value of the net assets acquired is recorded as goodwill. The Company uses valuation specialists, where necessary, to perform appraisals and assist in the determination of the fair values of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed. These valuations require management to make estimates and assumptions that are critical in determining the fair values of the assets and liabilities. Stock-Based Compensation The Company records compensation expense for stock options issued to employees and directors. The Company has elected to use the modified prospective transition method where compensation expense is recorded prospectively. For additional information, see Note 13, Equity Plans. Impact of Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements In June 2011, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued Accounting Standards Update (ASU) No. 2011-05, “Presentation of Comprehensive Income”. This ASU related to the presentation of comprehensive income in consolidated financial statements. The new accounting guidance requires the presentation of the components of net income and other comprehensive income either in a single continuous financial statement, or in two separate but consecutive financial statements. The accounting standard eliminates the option to present other comprehensive income and its components as part of the statement of stockholders’ equity. This standard was effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2011, including interim periods. The Company adopted this standard during 2012 and the adoption had no material impact to the Company’s financial statements. In July 2012, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued ASU No. 2012-02, “Testing Indefinite-Lived Intangible Assets for Impairment.” This ASU intends to align impairment testing guidance among long-lived asset categories. This ASU allows the assessment based on qualitative factors to determine whether it is more likely than not that an indefinite-lived intangible asset is impaired prior to determining whether it is necessary to perform the quantitative impairment test in accordance with Subtopic 350-30, Intangibles—Goodwill and Other—General Intangibles Other than Goodwill. The provisions of this ASU is required to be applied to the interim and annual tests performed for fiscal years beginning after September 15, 2012. The Company adopted this standard during 2012 and the adoption had no material impact to the Company’s financial statements. In February 2013, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued ASU No. 2013-02,”Other Comprehensive Income.” This ASU intends to improve the reporting of reclassifications out of accumulated other comprehensive income by requiring an entity to report the effect of significant reclassifications out of accumulated other comprehensive income on the respective line items in net income if the amount being reclassified is required under U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP) to be reclassified in its entirety to net income. For other amounts that are not required under U.S. GAAP to be reclassified in their entirety to net income in the same reporting period, an entity is required to cross-reference other disclosures required under U.S. GAAP that provide additional detail about those amounts. The provisions of this ASU will be applied to the interim and annual tests performed for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2012. The Company does not expect ASU 2013-02 to have a material impact on its financial statements during 2013.

The accompanying consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Olympic Steel, Inc. and its wholly-owned subsidiaries (collectively, the Company or Olympic), after elimination of intercompany accounts and transactions. Investment in the Company’s joint venture was accounted for under the equity method.

The Company is a leading U.S. metals service center specializing in the processing and distribution of large volumes of carbon, coated, aluminum and stainless steel, flat-rolled sheet, coil and plate products and tubular and pipe products from facilities throughout the United States. Commencing with the July 1, 2011 acquisition of Chicago Tube and Iron Company (CTI), the Company operates in two reportable segments; flat products and tubular and pipe products. Through its flat products segment, the Company sells and distributes large volumes of processed carbon, coated, aluminum and stainless flat-rolled sheet, coil and plate products. Through its tubular and pipe products segment, the Company distributes metals tubing, pipe, bar, valve and fittings and the fabrication of pressure parts supplied to various industrial markets.

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

The Company is a major customer of flat-rolled coil and plate and tubular and pipe steel for many of its principal suppliers, but is not dependent on any one supplier. The Company purchased approximately 39%, 49% and 37% of its total steel requirements from its three largest suppliers in 2012, 2011 and 2010, respectively.

The Company has a diversified customer and geographic base, which reduces the inherent risk and cyclicality of its business. The concentration of net sales to the Company’s top 20 customers approximated 31%, 32% and 34% of consolidated net sales in 2012, 2011 and 2010, respectively. In addition, the Company’s largest customer accounted for approximately 4%, 4% and 5% of consolidated net sales in 2012, 2011 and 2010, respectively. Sales to the three largest U.S. automobile manufacturers and their suppliers and sales to other steel service centers, accounted for approximately 8.4% and 7.6%, respectively, of the Company’s consolidated net sales in 2012, 9.9% and 9.0% of consolidated net sales in 2011, and 12.3% and 10.7% of consolidated net sales in 2010.

Fair value is defined as the exchange price that would be received for an asset or paid to transfer a liability in the principal or most advantageous market for the liability in an orderly transaction between market participants on the measurement date. Valuation techniques must maximize the use of observable inputs and minimize the use of unobservable inputs. To measure fair value, the Company applies a fair value hierarchy that is based on three levels of inputs, of which the first two are considered observable and the last unobservable, as follows:

Level 2 – Inputs other than Level 1 that are observable, either directly or indirectly, such as quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities; quoted prices that are not active; or other inputs that are observable or can be corroborated by observable market data for substantially the full term of the assets or liabilities.

Financial instruments, such as cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable, accounts payable and the credit facility revolver, are stated at their carrying value, which is a reasonable estimate of fair value. The fair value of marketable securities is based on quoted market prices.

Accounts receivable are presented net of allowances for doubtful accounts and unissued credits of $2,781 and $2,883 as of December 31, 2012 and 2011, respectively. Bad debt expense totaled $322 in 2012, $1,125 in 2011 and $3,031 in 2010.

The Company’s allowance for doubtful accounts is maintained at a level considered appropriate based on historical experience and specific customer collection issues that the Company has identified. Estimations are based upon a calculated percentage of accounts receivable, which remains fairly level from year to year, and judgments about the probable effects of economic conditions on certain customers, which can fluctuate significantly from year to year. The Company cannot guarantee that the rate of future credit losses will be similar to past experience.

Inventories are stated at the lower of cost or market and include the costs of purchased metals, inbound freight, external processing and applicable labor and overhead costs. Costs of our flat products segment’s inventories, including flat-rolled sheet, coil and plate products are determined using the specific identification method.

As a result of the acquisition of CTI, certain of the Company’s tubular and pipe products inventory is stated under the LIFO method, which is not in excess of market. At December 31, 2012, approximately $46,711 thousand, or 16.1% of consolidated inventory, was reported under the LIFO method of accounting. The cost of the remainder of CTI’s inventory is determined using a weighted average rolling first-in, first-out (FIFO) method.

On the Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income, “Cost of materials sold (exclusive of items shown separately below)” consists of the cost of purchased metals, inbound and internal transfer freight, external processing costs, LIFO reserve and inventory lower of cost or market adjustments.

Property and equipment are stated at cost. Depreciation is provided using the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the assets ranging from two years to 30 years. The Company capitalizes the costs of obtaining or developing internal-use software, including directly related payroll costs. The Company amortizes those costs over five years, beginning when the software is ready for its intended use.

Goodwill represents the excess of the purchase price paid over the fair value of the net assets acquired. We perform an annual impairment test of goodwill for our Southern region, Integrity Stainless and CTI operations and indefinite-lived intangible assets for our CTI operation in the fourth quarter, or more frequently if changes in circumstances or the occurrence of events indicate potential impairment. Events or changes in circumstances that could trigger an impairment review include significant nonperformance relative to the expected historical or projected future operating results, significant changes in the manner of the use of the acquired assets or the strategy for the overall business or significant negative industry or economic trends.

The fair value of each indefinite-lived intangible asset is compared to its carrying value and an impairment charge is recorded if the carrying value exceeds the fair value. Goodwill is tested by comparing the fair value of each reporting unit with its carrying value. If the carrying value of the reporting unit exceeds its fair value, the implied value of goodwill is compared to its carrying value and impairment is recognized to the extent that the carrying value exceeds the implied fair value.

We estimate the fair value of goodwill and other indefinite-lived intangible assets using a discounted cash flow methodology, an income approach, and a publicly traded companies guideline method, a market approach. Management’s assumptions used for the calculations are based on historical results, projected financial information and recent economic events. Actual results could differ from these estimates under different assumptions or conditions which could adversely affect the reported value of goodwill.

The Company, on its consolidated balance sheets, records as an offset to the estimated effect of temporary differences between the tax basis of assets and liabilities and the reported amounts in its consolidated balance sheets, the tax effect of operating loss and tax credit carryforwards. If the Company determines that it will not be able to fully realize a deferred tax asset, it will record a valuation allowance to reduce such deferred tax asset to its realizable value. The Company recognizes interest accrued related to unrecognized tax benefits in income tax expense. Penalties, if incurred, would be recognized as a component of income tax expense.

For both direct and toll shipments, revenue is recognized when title and risk of loss is transferred, which generally occurs upon delivery to our customers. Given the proximity of the Company’s customers to its facilities, substantially all of the Company’s sales are shipped and received within one day. Sales returns and allowances are treated as reductions to sales and are provided for based on historical experience and current estimates and are immaterial to the consolidated financial statements.

The engineered products produced by CTI typically take several months to produce due to their size and complexity. Substantially all projects are completed within six months. The Company may request advance payments from customers during the production of these products. These payments are included in current short-term liabilities on the Company’s Consolidated Balance Sheet. Due to their short-term nature, the Company uses the units of delivery method to account for these contracts. Revenue for the contracts is recognized when the product is shipped and title of the product transfers to the customers. Revenue for these engineered products accounted for less than 1.3% of our net sales during 2012 and for approximately 1.0% of our net sales during 2011.

Amounts charged to customers for shipping and other transportation are included in net sales. The distribution expense line on the accompanying Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income is entirely comprised of all shipping and other transportation costs incurred by the Company in shipping goods to its customers.

The Company evaluates the recoverability of long-lived assets and the related estimated remaining lives whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying value may not be recoverable. Events or changes in circumstances that could trigger an impairment review include significant underperformance relative to the expected historical or projected future operating results, significant changes in the manner of the use of the acquired assets or the strategy for the overall business or significant negative industry or economic trends. The Company records an impairment or change in useful life whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount may not be recoverable or the useful life has changed.

Due to the impairment of the Southern region’s goodwill, a triggering event occurred for the long-lived assets of the Southern region. We performed an undiscounted cash flow analysis which indicated that there were no indicators of impairment of the long-lived assets of the Southern region.

Business combinations are accounted for using the purchase method of accounting. This method requires the Company to record assets and liabilities of the business acquired at their estimated fair market values as of the acquisition date. Any excess of the cost of the acquisition over the fair value of the net assets acquired is recorded as goodwill. The Company uses valuation specialists, where necessary, to perform appraisals and assist in the determination of the fair values of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed. These valuations require management to make estimates and assumptions that are critical in determining the fair values of the assets and liabilities.

The Company records compensation expense for stock options issued to employees and directors. The Company has elected to use the modified prospective transition method where compensation expense is recorded prospectively. For additional information, see Note 13, Equity Plans.

In June 2011, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued Accounting Standards Update (ASU) No. 2011-05, “Presentation of Comprehensive Income”. This ASU related to the presentation of comprehensive income in consolidated financial statements. The new accounting guidance requires the presentation of the components of net income and other comprehensive income either in a single continuous financial statement, or in two separate but consecutive financial statements. The accounting standard eliminates the option to present other comprehensive income and its components as part of the statement of stockholders’ equity. This standard was effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2011, including interim periods. The Company adopted this standard during 2012 and the adoption had no material impact to the Company’s financial statements.

In July 2012, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued ASU No. 2012-02, “Testing Indefinite-Lived Intangible Assets for Impairment.” This ASU intends to align impairment testing guidance among long-lived asset categories. This ASU allows the assessment based on qualitative factors to determine whether it is more likely than not that an indefinite-lived intangible asset is impaired prior to determining whether it is necessary to perform the quantitative impairment test in accordance with Subtopic 350-30, Intangibles—Goodwill and Other—General Intangibles Other than Goodwill. The provisions of this ASU is required to be applied to the interim and annual tests performed for fiscal years beginning after September 15, 2012. The Company adopted this standard during 2012 and the adoption had no material impact to the Company’s financial statements.

In February 2013, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued ASU No. 2013-02,”Other Comprehensive Income.” This ASU intends to improve the reporting of reclassifications out of accumulated other comprehensive income by requiring an entity to report the effect of significant reclassifications out of accumulated other comprehensive income on the respective line items in net income if the amount being reclassified is required under U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP) to be reclassified in its entirety to net income. For other amounts that are not required under U.S. GAAP to be reclassified in their entirety to net income in the same reporting period, an entity is required to cross-reference other disclosures required under U.S. GAAP that provide additional detail about those amounts. The provisions of this ASU will be applied to the interim and annual tests performed for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2012. The Company does not expect ASU 2013-02 to have a material impact on its financial statements during 2013.