| Organization and Basis of Presentation (Policies) | 12 Months Ended |
| Dec. 31, 2024 |
| Accounting Policies [Abstract] | |
| Nature of Operations | Nature of Operations DNOW Inc., (“DNOW” or the “Company”), is a holding company headquartered in Houston, Texas that was incorporated in Delaware on November 22, 2013. We operate primarily under the DNOW brand along with several affiliated brands operating in local, regional or international markets that are tied to prior acquisitions. DNOW is a distributor of energy and industrial products through its 165 locations in the United States (“U.S.”), Canada and select international locations which are geographically positioned to serve the energy and industrial markets. Additionally, through the Company’s DigitalNOW ® platform, customers can leverage technology across applications to solve a wide array of complex operational and product sourcing challenges to assist in maximizing their return on assets. The Company’s product and service offerings are consumed throughout the energy industry – from upstream drilling and completion, exploration and production, midstream transmission, gas and crude oil processing infrastructure development to downstream petroleum refining and petrochemicals – as well as in other industries, such as chemical processing, mining, water/wastewater, food and beverage, gas utilities and the evolution of energy transition markets inclusive of greenhouse gas reduction and emissions capture and storage, renewable fuels such as biofuels and renewable natural gas, wind, solar, production of hydrogen as a fuel to power equipment and select industrial markets. The energy and industrial distribution end markets we serve are inclusive of engineering and construction firms that perform capital and maintenance projects for their clients. DNOW also provides supply chain and materials management solutions to the same markets where the Company sells products. DNOW’s supplier network consists of thousands of vendors in approximately 30 countries. |
| Basis of Presentation | Basis of Presentation The accompanying consolidated financial information include the accounts of the Company and its consolidated subsidiaries. All significant intercompany transactions and accounts have been eliminated. Variable interest entities for which the Company is the primary beneficiary are fully consolidated with the equity held by the outside stockholders and their portion of net income (loss) reflected as noncontrolling interest in the accompanying consolidated financial statements. |
| Recently Issued Accounting Standards | Recently Issued Accounting Standards In November 2024, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued Accounting Standards Update ("ASU") 2024-03, Income Statement-Reporting Comprehensive Income-Expense Disaggregation Disclosures (Subtopic 220-40), which requires more detailed information related to types of expenses in commonly presented captions in income statements. ASU 2024-03 is effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2026, and interim periods within fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2027, with early adoption permitted. The Company will not early adopt, and is currently assessing the impact of ASU 2024-03 in its consolidated financial statements and its disclosures. The Company does not expect the adoption of this standard to have a material impact in its consolidated statements. In December 2023, the FASB issued ASU 2023-09, Income Taxes (Topic 740), which requires public companies to expand the income tax disclosures. The ASU requires entities to disclose more detailed information in their effective tax rate reconciliation and their cash taxes paid both in the U.S., state and foreign jurisdictions. ASU 2023-09 is effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2024, with early adoption permitted for annual financial statements that have not yet been issued. The Company will not early adopt, and is currently assessing the impact of ASU 2023-09 in its consolidated financial statements and in its disclosures. The Company does not expect the adoption of this standard to have a material impact in its consolidated statements. |
| Recently Adopted Accounting Standards | Recently Adopted Accounting Standards In November 2023, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued Accounting Standards Update ("ASU") 2023-07, Segment Reporting (Topic 280), which requires enhanced segment disclosures primarily focusing on significant segment expense disclosures for both interim and annual periods. On January 1, 2024, the Company adopted this standard using modified retrospective transition method. See Note 17 “Business Segments” for additional information. |
| Cash and Cash Equivalents | Cash and Cash Equivalents Cash and cash equivalents consist of all highly liquid investments with maturities of three months or less at the date of purchase. |
| Fair Value of Financial Instruments | Fair Value of Financial Instruments The carrying amounts of cash and cash equivalents, receivables and payables approximated fair value because of the relatively short maturity of these instruments. See Note 15 “Derivative Financial Instruments” for the fair value of derivative financial instruments. |
| Inventories | Inventories Inventories consist primarily of oilfield and industrial finished goods and work in process. Work in process primarily consists of inventory and labor related to customer specific engineered equipment. Finished goods are stated at the lower of cost or net realizable value and using average cost methods. Allowances for excess and obsolete inventories are determined based on the Company’s historical usage of inventory on hand as well as its future expectations. As of December 31, 2024 and 2023, the Company reported inventory of $ 352 million and $ 366 million , respectively (net of inventory reserves of $ 17 million and $ 21 million , respectively). |
| Property, Plant and Equipment | Property, Plant and Equipment Property, plant and equipment are stated at cost. Expenditures for major improvements that extend the lives of property, plant and equipment are capitalized while minor replacements, maintenance and repairs are charged to expense as incurred. Disposals are removed at cost less accumulated depreciation with any resulting gain or loss reflected in the results of operations for the respective period. Depreciation is provided using the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of individual items. |
| Long-Lived Assets, Including Goodwill and Other Acquired Intangible Assets | Long-Lived Assets, Including Goodwill and Other Acquired Intangible Assets Long-lived assets other than goodwill include property, plant and equipment, operating right-of-use ("ROU") assets and intangible assets. The Company evaluates the recoverability of long-lived assets other than goodwill for possible impairment whenever events or circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of such assets may not be recoverable. Recoverability of these assets is measured by a comparison of the carrying amounts to the future undiscounted cash flows the assets are expected to generate. If such review indicates that the carrying amount of long-lived assets other than goodwill is not recoverable, the carrying amount of such assets is reduced to fair value. In addition to the recoverability assessment, the Company routinely reviews the remaining estimated useful lives of long-lived assets other than goodwill. If the Company changes the estimated useful life assumption for any asset, the remaining unamortized balance is amortized or depreciated over the revised estimated useful life. The Company performs goodwill impairment testing annually in the fourth quarter of each fiscal year and more frequently on an interim basis when events or circumstances indicate that an impairment may exist. The Company uses either a qualitative assessment or a quantitative assessment. If the qualitative assessment indicates it is more-likely-than-not that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying value, a quantitative assessment is performed. Events or circumstances which could indicate a potential impairment include, but are not limited to, a significant reduction in worldwide oil and gas prices or drilling; a significant reduction in profitability or cash flow of oil and gas companies or drilling contractors; a significant reduction in worldwide well completion and remediation activity; a significant reduction in capital investment by other oilfield service companies; or a significant increase in worldwide inventories of oil or gas. The Company evaluates goodwill for impairment at the reporting unit level, which is defined as an operating segment or one level below that constitutes a business for which financial information is available and is regularly reviewed by management. The Company currently has four reporting units for this purpose – U.S. Energy Centers, U.S. Process Solutions, Canada and International. The Company tests goodwill for impairment by comparing the fair value of a reporting unit to its carrying value. If the carrying amount exceeds the fair value of a reporting unit, an impairment loss is recognized in an amount equal to that excess, but not to exceed the total amount of goodwill allocated to that reporting unit. The Company determines the fair value of both goodwill and other long-lived assets primarily using the discounted cash flow method and in the case of goodwill, a multiples-based market approach for comparable companies when applicable. The starting point for each reporting unit’s projected cash flow from operations is the detailed annual plan or updated forecast. The detailed planning and forecasting process takes into consideration a multitude of factors including worldwide rig activity, inflationary forces, pricing strategies, customer analysis, operational issues, competitor analysis, capital spending requirements, working capital requirements and customer needs among other items which impact the individual reporting unit projections. Cash flows beyond the specific operating plans were estimated using a terminal value calculation, which incorporated historical and forecasted financial cyclical trends for each reporting unit and also considered long-term earnings growth rates. The financial and credit market volatility impacts the fair value measurement by adjusting the discount rate. When a quantitative test is performed, the Company utilizes third-party valuation advisors to assist with these valuations. These analyses include significant judgments as mentioned above, including management’s short-term and long-term forecast of operating performance, discount rates based on the weighted average cost of capital, revenue growth rates, profitability margins, the timing of future cash flows, and in the case of long-lived assets, the remaining useful life and service potential of the asset, all of which are considered level 3 inputs under the fair value hierarchy when a quantitative test is performed. |
| Foreign Currency | Foreign Currency The functional currency for most of the Company’s foreign operations is the local currency. Certain foreign operations use the U.S. dollar as the functional currency. For those that have local currency as functional the cumulative effects of translating the balance sheet accounts from the functional currency into the U.S. dollar at current exchange rates are included in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss). Revenues and expenses are translated at average exchange rates in effect during the period. Upon complete or substantially complete liquidation of a foreign subsidiary, the accumulated foreign currency translation gains and losses relating to the foreign subsidiary are reclassified into earnings, and reflected in impairment and other charges in the consolidated statements of operations. See Note 16 “Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)” for additional information. Accordingly, financial statements of these foreign subsidiaries are remeasured to U.S. dollars for consolidation purposes using current rates of exchange for monetary assets and liabilities and historical rates of exchange for nonmonetary assets and related elements of expense. Revenue and expense elements are remeasured at rates that approximate the rates in effect on the transaction dates. For all operations, gains or losses from remeasuring foreign currency transactions into the reporting currency are included in other income (expense). Net foreign currency transactions were a loss of $ 1 million , $ 1 million and $ 2 million for the years ended December 31, 2024, 2023 and 2022 , respectively, and were included in other income (expense) in the accompanying consolidated statements of operations. |
| Revenue Recognition | Revenue Recognition The Company’s primary source of revenue is the sale of energy products and an extensive selection of products for industrial applications based upon purchase orders or contracts with customers. Substantially all of the Company's revenue is recognized at a point in time once the Company has determined that the customer has obtained control over the product. Control is typically deemed to have been transferred to the customer when the product is shipped, delivered or picked up by the customer. The Company does not grant extended payment terms. Revenue is recognized net of any taxes collected from customers, which are subsequently remitted to proper government authorities. Shipping and handling costs for product shipments occur prior to the customer obtaining control of the goods and are recorded in cost of products. The amount of revenue recognized reflects the consideration to which the Company expects to be entitled to receive in exchange for products sold. Revenue is recorded at the transaction price net of estimates of variable consideration, which may include product returns, trade discounts and allowances. The Company accrues for variable consideration using the expected value method. Estimates of variable consideration are included in revenue to the extent that it is probable that a significant reversal in the amount of cumulative revenue recognized will not occur. |
| Cost of Products | Cost of Products Cost of products includes the cost of inventory sold and related items, such as vendor consideration, inventory allowances, amortization of intangibles and inbound and outbound freight. |
| Warehousing, Selling and Administrative Expenses | Warehousing, Selling and Administrative Expenses Warehousing, selling and administrative expenses include branch location, supercenter and regional expenses (including costs such as compensation, benefits and rent) as well as depreciation and corporate general selling and administrative expenses. |
| Income Taxes | Income Taxes The liability method is used to account for income taxes. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are determined based on differences between the financial reporting and tax basis of assets and liabilities and are measured using the enacted tax rates that will be in effect when the differences are expected to reverse. Valuation allowances are established when necessary to reduce deferred tax assets to amounts which are more-likely-than-not to be realized. |
| Concentration of Credit Risk | Concentration of Credit Risk The Company grants credit to its customers, which operate primarily in the energy, industrial and manufacturing markets. Concentrations of credit risk are limited because the Company has a large number of geographically diverse customers, thus spreading trade credit risk. The Company controls credit risk through credit evaluations, credit limits and monitoring procedures. The Company performs periodic credit evaluations of its customers’ financial condition and, generally, does not require collateral but may require letters of credit or prepayments for certain sales. Allowance for credit losses is estimated based on an evaluation of accounts receivable aging, and the related historical loss experience, as adjusted for current and expected future market conditions that are reasonably available. Judgments in the estimate of allowance for credit losses include global economic and business conditions, oil and gas industry and market conditions, customer’s financial conditions and accounts receivable past due. Balances that remain outstanding after the Company has used reasonable collection efforts are written off. As of December 31, 2024, the Company had one customer in the U.S. segment that represented approximately 10 % of total revenues. |
| Stock-Based Compensation | Stock-Based Compensation Compensation expense for the Company’s stock-based compensation plans is measured using the fair value method required by Accounting Standards Codification (" ASC") Topic 718 “Compensation—Stock Compensation”. Under this guidance the fair value of the award is measured on the grant date and amortized to expense using the straight-line method over the shorter of the vesting period or the remaining requisite service period. Forfeitures are recognized as they occur. |
| Use of Estimates | Use of Estimates The preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect reported and contingent amounts of assets and liabilities as of the date of the financial statements and reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates. The Company periodically evaluates its estimates and judgments that are most critical in nature, which are related to allowance for credit losses, inventory reserves, impairment of goodwill and other long-lived assets, purchase price allocation of acquisitions, stock-based compensation and income taxes. On an ongoing basis, the Company evaluates such estimates by comparing to historical experience and trends, which form the basis for making judgments about the carrying value of assets and liabilities. |
| Contingencies | Contingencies The Company accrues for costs relating to litigation claims and other contingent matters, when such liabilities become probable and reasonably estimable. Such estimates may be based on advice from third parties or on management’s judgment, as appropriate. Revisions to contingent liabilities are reflected in income in the period in which different facts or information become known or circumstances change that affect the Company’s previous judgments with respect to the likelihood or amount of loss. Amounts paid upon the ultimate resolution of contingent liabilities may be materially different from previous estimates and could require adjustments to the estimated reserves to be recognized in the period such new information becomes known. In circumstances where the most likely outcome of a contingency can be reasonably estimated, the Company accrues a liability for that amount. Where the most likely outcome cannot be estimated, a range of potential losses is established, and, if no one amount in that range is more likely than others, the low end of the range is accrued. |
| Remaining Performance Obligations | Remaining Performance Obligations Remaining performance obligations represent the transaction price of firm orders for which work has not been performed on contracts with an original expected duration of more than one year. The Company’s contracts are predominantly short-term in nature with a contract term of one year or less. For those contracts, the Company has utilized the practical expedient in ASC Topic 606 exempting the Company from disclosure of the transaction price allocated to remaining performance obligations when the performance obligation is part of a contract that has an original expected duration of one year or less. |
| Receivables | Receivables Receivables are recorded when the Company has an unconditional right to consideration. |
| Contract Assets and Liabilities | Contract Assets and Liabilities Contract assets primarily consist of retainage amounts held as a form of security by customers until the Company satisfies its remaining performance obligations. As of December 31, 2024 and 2023, contracts assets were approximately $ 1 million and less than $ 1 million, respectively, and were included in receivables, net in the consolidated balance sheets. The Company generally accounts for the incremental costs of obtaining a contract as an expense when incurred if the amortization period of the asset that the entity otherwise would have been recognized is one year or less; however, these expenses are not material. Contract liabilities primarily consist of deferred revenues recorded when customer payments are received or due in advance of satisfying performance obligations, including amounts which are refundable, and other accrued customer liabilities. Revenue recognition is deferred to a future period until the Company completes its obligations contractually agreed with customers. As of December 31, 2024 and 2023, contract liabilities were $ 31 million and $ 28 million , respectively, and were included in accrued liabilities in the consolidated balance sheets. The increase in contract liabilities for the year ended December 31, 2024 , was primarily related to net current year customer deposits of approximately $ 24 million, partially offset by recognizing revenue of approximately $ 21 million, that was deferred as of December 31, 2023. See Note 17 “Business Segments” for the disaggregation of revenue by reporting segments. The Company believes this disaggregation best depicts how the nature, amount, timing and uncertainty of revenue and cash flows are affected by economic factors. |
