Document and Entity Information - shares	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2019	Nov. 04, 2019
Cover [Abstract]
Document Type	10-Q
Amendment Flag	false
Document Period End Date	Sep. 30, 2019
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2019
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q3
Trading Symbol	CRR
Entity Registrant Name	CARBO CERAMICS INC
Entity Central Index Key	0001009672
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--12-31
Entity Filer Category	Accelerated Filer
Entity Small Business	true
Entity Emerging Growth Company	false
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		29,361,204
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes
Entity Shell Company	false
Entity Interactive Data Current	Yes
Entity File Number	001-15903
Entity Incorporation, State or Country Code	DE
Entity Tax Identification Number	72-1100013
Entity Address, Address Line One	575 North Dairy Ashford
Entity Address, Address Line Two	Suite 300
Entity Address, City or Town	Houston
Entity Address, State or Province	TX
Entity Address, Postal Zip Code	77079
City Area Code	281
Local Phone Number	921-6400
Document Quarterly Report	true
Document Transition Report	false
Title of 12(b) Security	Common Stock, $0.01 par value
Security Exchange Name	NYSE