Document and Entity Information	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2020 shares
Entity Information [Line Items]
Title of 12(b) Security	Common Stock, $0.01 par value
Entity Incorporation, State or Country Code	DE
Entity Registrant Name	Mettler Toledo International Inc
Entity Address, Address Line One	1900 Polaris Parkway
Entity Address, City or Town	Columbus
Entity Address, State or Province	OH
Entity Address, Postal Zip Code	43240
City Area Code	614
Local Phone Number	438-4511
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes
Entity Interactive Data Current	Yes
Entity Central Index Key	0001037646
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--12-31
Entity Filer Category	Large Accelerated Filer
Document Type	10-Q
Document Period End Date	Mar. 31, 2020
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2020
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q1
Amendment Flag	false
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding	23,907,528
Entity Emerging Growth Company	false
Entity Shell Company	false
Entity Small Business	false
Document Quarterly Report	true
Document Transition Report	false
Entity File Number	1-13595
Entity Tax Identification Number	13-3668641
Trading Symbol	MTD
Security Exchange Name	NYSE