Accounts receivable, net Accounts Receivable Net Current Accumulated other comprehensive income Less accumulated depreciation Accumulated depreciation Additional paid-in capital Amortization Depreciation Total Adjustments Asset Impairment Charges CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS Cash and cash equivalents Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of year Cash and cash equivalents, end of year Interest, net of capitalized interest Accounts payable and other current liabilities Accounts receivable Accounts receivable Pension Asset and Obligation Inventories Inventories Working Capital Working capital Increase (Decrease) in Accounts Payable Accounts Receivable Environmental and Legal Contingencies Common stock, authorized shares Common stock, outstanding shares Common stock, authorized 200,000,000 shares of $0.01 par value each; issued 2009, 121,881,816 shares, 2008, 121,105,429 shares; outstanding 2009, 109,394,455 shares, 2008, 110,394,774 shares Cost of products sold (exclusive of items shown below) Current Liabilities: Liabilities, Current [Abstract] Total Current Liabilities Total Current Liabilities Fees related to new credit facility or new debt Fees related to new credit facility or new debt Deferred income taxes Disclosures About Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities Net income (loss) per share attributable to AK Steel Holding Corporation Earnings Per Share Diluted Equity Method Investment, Other than Temporary Impairment Impairment of Investments CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS Income Taxes Income Tax Disclosure Text Block Other assets Increase (Decrease) in Other Operating Assets Other assets Other intangible assets Inventory, net Labor Contract Charges LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity [Abstract] TOTAL LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY TOTAL LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY TOTAL LIABILITIES TOTAL LIABILITIES Current portion of long-term debt Long-term debt Noncontrolling interest Minority Interest Cash flows from financing activities: Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Financing Activities [Abstract] Net cash flows from financing activities Cash flows from investing activities: Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Investing Activities [Abstract] Net cash flows from investing activities Cash flows from operating activities: Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Operating Activities [Abstract] Net cash flows from operating activities Net income (loss) attributable to AK Steel Holding Corporation Net income (loss) attributable to AK Steel Holding Corporation Net income Net income (loss) attributable to AK Steel Holding Corporation Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents Total Non-current Assets Total Non-current Assets Non-current Liabilities: Total Non-current Liabilities Total Non-current Liabilities Operating profit (loss) Derivative instrument hedges, net of tax Other Comprehensive Income Derivatives Qualifying As Hedges Net Of Tax Period Increase Decrease Foreign currency translation adjustment, net of tax Minimum Pension Liability Adjustment, Net of Tax Reclassification of Gain (Loss) Included in Net Income on Derivatives Unrealized Gain (Loss) Arising in Period on Derivatives Unrealized gain on marketable securities, net of tax Unrealized holding gains (losses) arising during period Unrealized Holding Gain (Loss Arising During Period, Net of Tax Other current assets Payments For Proceeds From Other Investing Activities Other investing items, net Other Labor-related Expenses Other investments Other financing items, net Proceeds From Payments For Other Financing Activities Other income (expense) Common stock dividends paid Common stock dividends paid Payments ForRepurchaseOfEquity Purchase of treasury stock Contributions to pension trust Contributions to pension trust Pension and Other Postretirement Benefits Current portion of pension and other postretirement benefit obligations Other Postretirement Benefit Corridor Charges Pension/Other Preferred stock, authorized shares Proceeds from (Payments to) Noncontrolling Interests Proceeds from exercise of stock options Property, Plant and Equipment Property, Plant and Equipment Property, plant and equipment, net Property, Plant and Equipment, net Provision for doubtful accounts Income tax provision (benefit) due to state law changes Purchase of investments Purchase of investments Redemption of long-term debt Redemption of long-term debt Accumulated deficit Net sales Investments in an Unrealized Loss Position Subsequent Events Selling and administrative expenses CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS Income taxes Current Assets: Assets, Current [Abstract] Total Current Assets Current Assets Diluted Weighted Average Number Of Diluted Shares Outstanding Basic Weighted Average Number Of Shares Outstanding Basic TOTAL ASSETS TOTAL ASSETS Interest income Other non-current liabilities Dividends declared and paid per share Deferred tax asset, non-current Share-based Compensation Deferred tax asset, current Statement [Table] ASSETS Assets [Abstract] Statement [Line Items] Treasury stock Treasury stock, common shares at cost, 2009, 12,487,361 shares; 2008, 10,710,655 shares Net income (loss) per share attributable to AK Steel Holding Corporation Excess Tax Benefit From Share-Based Compensation Financing Activities Excess tax benefits from stock-based compensation Proceeds From Collection of Notes Receivable Common stock, issued shares Other non-current assets Total operating costs Total operating costs Basic earnings per share: Diluted earnings per share: Other liabilities Increase (Decrease) in Other Operating Liabilities Reclassifications and Restatements Common stock, par value Treasury stock, common shares at cost Total AK Steel Holding Corporation Stockholders' Equity Total AK Steel Holding Corporation Stockholders' Equity Forign Currency Translation Gain (Loss) Pension and Other Postretirement Benefit Contributions Pension and Other Postretirement Benefit Obligations Preferred stock, authorized 25,000,000 shares Other income, net Cumulative Effect Of Accounting Change, Net Of Tax Cumulative Effect Of Accounting Change, Per Basic Share Cumulative Effect Of Accounting Change Per Diluted Share Investments in an Unrealized Loss Position Gain (Loss) on Investments [Text Block] Pension and OPEB Adjustment, Net of Tax Goodwill Income (Loss) Before Cumulative Effect Of Accounting Change, Per Basic Share Income (Loss) Before Cumulative Effect Of Accounting Change, Per Diluted Share Issuance of Performance Shares, Net Issuance of restricted stock, net Stock options exercised Proceeds From Draw on Restricted Funds for Emission Control Expenditures Proceeds from draw on restricted funds for emission control expenditures Adjustment to initially apply ASC Topic 740 Postretirement Benefit Obligation Capital investments Capital investments Purchase of Treasury Stock Tax Benefit From Share-Based Compensation Tax benefit (provision) from common stock compensation Net income (loss) Net income (loss) Less: Net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests Less: Net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests Non-controlling interest-Net income (loss) Stockholders' Equity: Stockholders' Equity: Balance - value Balance - value TOTAL STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY TOTAL STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY Beginning Balance Ending Balance Accounts payable Accrued liabilities Derivative Instrument Hedges, Net of Tax Pension and other postretirement benefit obligations noncurrent Pension and other postretirement benefit obligations Commitments and Contingencies (see Note 8) Other operating items, net Adjustments Noncash Items To Reconcile Net Income Loss To Cash Provided By Used In Operating Activities Other Pension And OPEB Adjustment, Net of Tax Adjustment to Initially Apply FAS 158, Net of Tax Capital investments - Middletown Coke The cash outflow for acquisition of or capital improvements to Middletown Coke properties held for investment (operating, managed, leased) or for use. Capital investments - Middletown Coke Advances from noncontrolling interest owner to Middletown Coke Advances from noncontrolling interest owner to Middletown Coke. Advances From Minority Interest To Middletown Coke Contribution to Middletown retirees VEBA The amount of cash or cash equivalents contributed by the entity to fund the Middleton retirees VEBA Contributions to Middletown retirees VEBA Other Assets: Other Assets [Abstract] Entity Registrant Name Entity Central Index Key Current Fiscal Year End Date Entity Well Known Seasoned Issuer Entity Voluntary Filers Entity Current Reporting Status Entity Filer Category Entity Public Float Document Type Amendment Flag Amendment Description Document Period End Date Entity Common Stock Shares Outstanding Commitments Disclosure [Text Block] Commitments Fair Value Measurements Entity Information [Line Items] Income Loss From Continuing Operations Before Income Taxes Extraordinary Items Cumulative Effects Of Changes In Accounting Principles Noncontrolling Interest Income (loss) before income taxes Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations before Income Taxes, Extraordinary Items, Cumulative Effects of Changes in Accounting Principles, Noncontrolling Interest Interest expense Total Income Tax Provision Total income tax provision (benefit) Excess tax benefits from stock-based compensation Excess tax benefits from stock-based compensation Proceeds from sale of property, plant and equipment Investment in wholly owned subsidiary Investment in AFSG Holdings, Inc. The carrying value of discontinued insurance and finance leasing businesses being "runoff" and are being accounted for, collectively, as a discontinued operation under the liquidation basis of accounting, where future cash inflows and outflows are considered. Long-term Debt and Other Financing Document Information [Line Items] Issuance of restricted common stock and restricted stock units Restricted Stock Expense Other Operating Items [Abstract] Other operating items: Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to cash flows from operating activities: Changes in assets and liabilities: Accounts Payable And Other Current Liabilities Middletown Coke Accounts payable and other current liabilities-Middletown Coke The net change during the reporting period in other Middletown Coke obligations or expenses incurred but not yet paid. Other Assets Middletown Coke The net change during the reporting period in Middletown Coke operating assets not otherwise defined in the taxonomy. Other assets-Middletown Coke Other assets-Middletown Coke Total adjustments Proceeds from note receivable from equity investments Restricted cash to collateralize letter of credit Restricted cash to collateralize letter of credit Statement of Stockholders' Equity [Abstract] Statement, Equity Components [Axis] Equity Component [Domain] Common Stock Additional Paid-In-Capital Treasury Stock Accumulated Deficit Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income/(Loss) Noncontrolling interest Noncontrolling Interest Change in unamortized performance shares This element represents the amount of recognized change in unamortized performance shares during the period, that is, the amount recognized as a change in equity. Change in unamortized stock options This element represents the amount of recognized change in unamortized stock options during the period, that is, the amount recognized as a change in equity. Change in unamortized restricted stock Change in unamortized restricted stock - represents the net of the value of the restricted stock granted, the expense amortization of restricted stock, and the cancellation of restricted stock during the period. Purchase of treasury stock Purchase of treasury stock Non-controlling interest-Dividends Two-month change in pension/OPEB measurement date, net of tax Two-month change in pension/OPEB measurement date, net of tax Common stock dividends Common stock dividends CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME Summary of Significant Accounting Policies Notes To Financial Statements [Abstract] Stockholders' Equity Asset Retirement Obligations Consolidated Quarterly Sales and Earnings (Losses) (Unaudited) Supplemental Guarantor Information Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax: Derivative instrument hedges, mark to market: Losses arising in period Less: Reclassification of (gains) losses included in net income Less: Reclassification of (gains) losses included in net income Unrealized gains (losses) on securities: Comprehensive income (loss) Entity [Text Block] Document Information [Text Block] Pension and Other Postretirement Benefit (OPEB) corridor charge (credit) - represents the charge (credit) recognized during the period for the accumulated actuarial (gain) loss outside of the corridor of 10% of the pension and other post retirement benefit obligation or plan asset. This is based on the company’s accelerated method of recognizing (gains) losses for pension and other post retirement benefit plans. Pension corridor charge Pension And Other Postretirement Benefit Corridor Charges Increase (Decrease) In Postretirement Obligations Postretirement benefit obligation Issuance of restricted stock units to directors. Issuance of restricted stock units Curtailment charges Income Tax Provision Benefit Income tax provision (benefit) The sum of the current income tax expense (benefit) and the deferred income tax expense (benefit) pertaining to continuing operations but excluding the effect of state tax law changes. Pension asset and obligation Operating Leases Pension and OPEB adjustment Pension and OPEB adjustment Net changes to accumulated comprehensive income during the period related to benefit plans, after tax; except for the year 2008, which does not include the accumulated other comprehensive income portion of the special adjustment related to the two-month change in the pension/OPEB measurement date. Variable Interest Entity Schedule of Valuation And Qualifying Accounts Valuation And Qualifying Accounts Disclosure [Abstract] Pension and OPEB adjustment, net of tax InvestmentInWhollyOwnedSubsidiary Proceeds from the sale of property, plant and equipment