v3.26.1
Debt (Narrative) (Details) - USD ($)
3 Months Ended 6 Months Ended 12 Months Ended
Jun. 30, 2026
Jun. 30, 2025
Jun. 30, 2026
Jun. 30, 2025
Dec. 31, 2025
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]          
Total debt $ 1,400,000   $ 1,400,000   $ 1,900,000
Long-term debt 800,000   800,000   1,000,000.0
Short-term borrowings 0   0   0
Interest income (expense), net 200,000 $ 100,000 1,000,000.0 $ 400,000  
Letters of credit outstanding 10,200,000   10,200,000   $ 10,600,000
Minimum [Member]          
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]          
Short-term borrowings 0 0 0 0  
Maximum [Member]          
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]          
Short-term borrowings 39,000,000.0 $ 37,000,000.0 $ 39,000,000.0 $ 37,000,000.0  
Credit Agreement [Member]          
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]          
Debt instrument, term     5 years   5 years
Maximum borrowing capacity 750,000,000.0   $ 750,000,000.0   $ 750,000,000.0
Expiration date     Jun. 01, 2030   Jun. 01, 2030
Accordion feature, increase limit 375,000,000.0   $ 375,000,000.0   $ 375,000,000.0
Remaining borrowing capacity 744,800,000   $ 744,800,000   744,400,000
Credit agreement commitment fee percentage     0.40%    
Credit Agreement [Member] | Graybar Canada [Member]          
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]          
Maximum borrowing capacity 100,000,000.0   $ 100,000,000.0   100,000,000.0
Letters of credit outstanding 5,200,000   5,200,000   5,600,000
Credit Agreement [Member] | Letter of Credit Sub Facility [Member]          
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]          
Maximum borrowing capacity 35,000,000.0   35,000,000.0   35,000,000.0
Credit Agreement [Member] | Swing-Line Loan [Member] | United States [Member]          
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]          
Maximum borrowing capacity 75,000,000.0   75,000,000.0   75,000,000.0
Credit Agreement [Member] | Swing-Line Loan [Member] | Canada [Member]          
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]          
Maximum borrowing capacity 20,000,000.0   20,000,000.0   20,000,000.0
Prudential Private Placement Shelf Agreement [Member]          
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]          
Maximum borrowing capacity 200,000,000.0   $ 200,000,000.0    
Expiration date     Aug. 02, 2029    
Issuance period     3 years    
Notes issued face amount 0   $ 0   0
MetLife Private Placement Shelf Agreement [Member]          
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]          
Maximum borrowing capacity 200,000,000.0   $ 200,000,000.0    
Expiration date     Jun. 01, 2027    
Issuance period     3 years    
Successive issuance period     3 years    
Notes issued face amount $ 0   $ 0   $ 0