CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS AND COMPREHENSIVE OPERATIONS (unaudited) - USD ($) shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2018	Jun. 30, 2017	Jun. 30, 2018	Jun. 30, 2017
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS AND COMPREHENSIVE OPERATIONS (unaudited) [Abstract]
Sales	$ 311,227	$ 250,698	$ 597,163	$ 489,225
Cost of sales	226,111	181,762	435,602	355,774
Gross profit	85,116	68,936	161,561	133,451
Selling, general and administrative expenses	65,056	58,679	130,352	114,958
Income from operations	20,060	10,257	31,209	18,493
Other (income) expense, net	(1,416)	57	(1,438)	(171)
Interest expense	6,137	3,992	11,178	7,645
Income before income taxes	15,339	6,208	21,469	11,019
Provision for income taxes	3,776	2,239	5,412	4,056
Net income	11,563	3,969	16,057	6,963
Net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interest	1	(166)	(56)	(305)
Net income attributable to DXP Enterprises, Inc.	11,562	4,135	16,113	7,268
Preferred stock dividend	22	22	45	45
Net income attributable to common shareholders	11,540	4,113	16,068	7,223
Net income	11,563	3,969	16,057	6,963
Cumulative translation adjustment	(1,134)	455	(1,511)	(1,865)
Comprehensive income	$ 10,429	$ 4,424	$ 14,546	$ 5,098
Basic earnings per share (in dollars per share)	$ 0.66	$ 0.24	$ 0.92	$ 0.42
Weighted average common shares outstanding (in shares)	17,558	17,404	17,538	17,406
Diluted earnings per share (in dollars per share)	$ 0.63	$ 0.23	$ 0.88	$ 0.40
Weighted average common and common equivalent shares outstanding - diluted (in shares)	18,398	18,244	18,378	18,246