Document And Entity Information - shares	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2020	Apr. 30, 2020
Cover [Abstract]
Document Type	10-Q
Document Quarterly Report	true
Document Period End Date	Mar. 31, 2020
Document Transition Report	false
Entity File Number	001-13393
Entity Incorporation, State or Country Code	DE
Entity Tax Identification Number	52-1209792
Entity Address, Address Line One	1 Choice Hotels Circle,
Entity Address, Address Line Two	Suite 400
Entity Address, City or Town	Rockville,
Entity Address, State or Province	MD
Entity Address, Postal Zip Code	20850
City Area Code	301
Local Phone Number	592-5000
Title of 12(b) Security	Common Stock, Par Value $0.01 per share
Trading Symbol	CHH
Security Exchange Name	NYSE
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes
Entity Interactive Data Current	Yes
Entity Filer Category	Large Accelerated Filer
Entity Small Business	false
Entity Emerging Growth Company	false
Entity Shell Company	false
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		55,356,894
Entity Registrant Name	CHOICE HOTELS INTERNATIONAL INC /DE
Entity Central Index Key	0001046311
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--12-31
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2020
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q1
Amendment Flag	false