Document and Entity Information Document - USD ($)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018	Feb. 01, 2019	Jun. 30, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
Document and Entity Information
Entity Registrant Name	METTLER TOLEDO INTERNATIONAL INC/
Entity Central Index Key	0001037646
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--12-31
Entity Filer Category	Large Accelerated Filer
Document Type	10-K
Document Period End Date	Dec. 31, 2018
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2018
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q4
Amendment Flag	false
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		24,795,237
Common Stock, Par or Stated Value Per Share	$ 0.01			$ 0.01
Entity Well-known Seasoned Issuer	Yes
Entity Voluntary Filers	No
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes
Entity Shell Company	false
Entity Small Business	false
Entity Emerging Growth Company	false
Entity Public Float			$ 14,589,477,296