QUARTERLY FINANCIAL INFORMATION (unaudited) (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended												12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2020	Sep. 30, 2020	Jun. 30, 2020	Mar. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019	Sep. 30, 2019	Jun. 30, 2019	Mar. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018	Sep. 30, 2018	Jun. 30, 2018	Mar. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018
Quarterly Financial Information Disclosure [Abstract]
Sales	$ 232,700	$ 220,200	$ 251,400	$ 301,000	$ 295,500	$ 327,200	$ 333,300	$ 311,200	$ 311,000	$ 308,000	$ 311,200	$ 285,900	$ 1,005,266	$ 1,267,189	$ 1,216,197
Gross profit	64,300	61,300	70,000	84,000	78,300	92,700	92,000	84,200	86,600	84,100	85,100	76,400	279,269	347,224	332,208
Net income	(2,000)	(34,700)	2,100	5,700	2,100	13,200	13,400	7,300	11,100	8,400	11,600	4,500	(29,074)	35,775	35,521
Net income (loss) attributable to DXP Enterprises, Inc.	$ (1,900)	$ (34,700)	$ 2,100	$ 5,700	$ 2,200	$ 13,100	$ 13,400	$ 7,300	$ 11,100	$ 8,400	$ 11,600	$ 4,600	$ (28,726)	$ 36,035	$ 35,632
Basic (in dollars per share)	$ (0.11)	$ (1.95)	$ 0.12	$ 0.31	$ 0.12	$ 0.74	$ 0.76	$ 0.41	$ 0.63	$ 0.48	$ 0.66	$ 0.26	$ (1.62)	$ 2.04	$ 2.02
Diluted (in dollars per share)	$ (0.11)	$ (1.95)	$ 0.12	$ 0.31	$ 0.12	$ 0.71	$ 0.73	$ 0.40	$ 0.60	$ 0.46	$ 0.63	$ 0.25	$ (1.62)	$ 1.96	$ 1.94