Summary of Significant Accounting Policies - Earnings Per Share (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, shares in Millions, $ in Millions	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017	Sep. 30, 2017	Jun. 30, 2017	Mar. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Sep. 30, 2016	Jun. 30, 2016	Mar. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Net income (loss) per common share attributable to Bruker Corporation shareholders:
Net income attributable to Bruker Corporation, as reported -basic									$ 78.6	$ 153.6	$ 101.6
Net income attributable to Bruker Corporation, as reported -diluted									$ 78.6	$ 153.6	$ 101.6
Weighted average shares outstanding:
Weighted average shares outstanding-basic									158.1	161.4	168.2
Effect of dilutive securities:
Stock options, restricted stock awards and restricted stock units (in shares)									1.0	0.8	0.9
Weighted average shares outstanding-diluted									159.1	162.2	169.1
Net income per common share attributable to Bruker Corporation shareholders:
Basic (in dollars per share)	$ (0.02)	$ 0.23	$ 0.15	$ 0.14	$ 0.43	$ 0.29	$ 0.09	$ 0.14	$ 0.50	$ 0.95	$ 0.60
Diluted (in dollars per share)	$ (0.02)	$ 0.23	$ 0.15	$ 0.13	$ 0.43	$ 0.29	$ 0.09	$ 0.14	$ 0.49	$ 0.95	$ 0.60