EARNINGS PER SHARE DATA (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended												12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018	Sep. 30, 2018	Jun. 30, 2018	Mar. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Sep. 30, 2017	Jun. 30, 2017	Mar. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Sep. 30, 2016	Jun. 30, 2016	Mar. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Basic:
Weighted average shares outstanding (in shares)													17,553,000	17,400,000	15,042,000
Net income attributable to DXP Enterprises, Inc.	$ 11,100	$ 8,400	$ 11,600	$ 4,600	$ 6,600	$ 2,900	$ 4,000	$ 3,000	$ 7,400	$ 200	$ 5,100	$ (5,100)	$ 35,632	$ 16,888	$ 7,702
Convertible preferred stock dividend													(90)	(90)	(90)
Net income attributable to common shareholders													$ 35,542	$ 16,798	$ 7,612
Per share amount (in dollars per share)	$ 0.63	$ 0.48	$ 0.66	$ 0.26	$ 0.38	$ 0.17	$ 0.24	$ 0.18	$ 0.44	$ 0.02	$ 0.36	$ (0.36)	$ 2.02	$ 0.97	$ 0.51
Diluted:
Weighted average shares outstanding (in shares)													17,553,000	17,400,000	15,042,000
Assumed conversion of convertible preferred stock (in shares)													840,000	840,000	840,000
Total dilutive shares (in shares)													18,393,000	18,240,000	15,882,000
Net income attributable to common shareholders													$ 35,542	$ 16,798	$ 7,612
Convertible preferred stock dividend													90	90	90
Net income attributable to DXP Enterprises, Inc.													$ 35,632	$ 16,888	$ 7,702
Per share amount (in dollars per share)	$ 0.60	$ 0.46	$ 0.63	$ 0.25	$ 0.37	$ 0.16	$ 0.23	$ 0.17	$ 0.42	$ 0.02	$ 0.34	$ (0.36)	$ 1.94	$ 0.93	$ 0.49
Preferred Stock
Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share [Line Items]
Antidilutive securities excluded from computation of earnings per share													840,000