Document And Entity Information - USD ($)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2022	Feb. 24, 2023	Jun. 30, 2022
Document Information [Line Items]
Document Type	10-K
Document Annual Report	true
Document Period End Date	Dec. 31, 2022
Document Transition Report	false
Entity File Number	0-23320
Entity Registrant Name	OLYMPIC STEEL, INC.
Entity Incorporation, State or Country Code	OH
Entity Tax Identification Number	34-1245650
Entity Address, Address Line One	22901 Millcreek Boulevard, Suite 650
Entity Address, City or Town	Highland Hills
Entity Address, State or Province	OH
Entity Address, Postal Zip Code	44122
City Area Code	216
Local Phone Number	292-3800
Title of 12(b) Security	Common stock, without par value
Trading Symbol	ZEUS
Security Exchange Name	NASDAQ
Entity Well-known Seasoned Issuer	No
Entity Voluntary Filers	No
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes
Entity Interactive Data Current	Yes
Entity Filer Category	Accelerated Filer
Entity Small Business	false
Entity Emerging Growth Company	false
ICFR Auditor Attestation Flag	true
Entity Shell Company	false
Entity Public Float			$ 247,852,213
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding (in shares)		11,129,932
Auditor Firm ID	248
Auditor Name	GRANT THORNTON LLP
Auditor Location	Cleveland, Ohio
Entity Central Index Key	0000917470
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--12-31
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2022
Document Fiscal Period Focus	FY
Amendment Flag	false