Document And Entity Information (USD $)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2011	Oct. 31, 2011	Jun. 30, 2010
Entity Registrant Name	WEST PHARMACEUTICAL SERVICES INC
Entity Central Index Key	0000105770
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--12-31
Entity Well-known Seasoned Issuer	Yes
Entity Voluntary Filers	No
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes
Entity Filer Category	Large Accelerated Filer
Entity Public Float			$ 1,213,616,750
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		33,716,732
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2011
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q3
Document Type	10-Q
Amendment Flag	false
Document Period End Date	Sep. 30, 2011