Revenue - Disaggregation (Details) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2018 USD ($)
Revenues disaggregated by Group and end customer geographical location
Revenue	$ 431.7
Revenue recognized at a point in time
Revenues disaggregated by Group and end customer geographical location
Revenue	395.2
Revenue recognized over time
Revenues disaggregated by Group and end customer geographical location
Revenue	36.5
United States
Revenues disaggregated by Group and end customer geographical location
Revenue	104.8
Germany
Revenues disaggregated by Group and end customer geographical location
Revenue	41.5
Rest of Europe
Revenues disaggregated by Group and end customer geographical location
Revenue	119.9
Asia Pacific
Revenues disaggregated by Group and end customer geographical location
Revenue	126.9
Other
Revenues disaggregated by Group and end customer geographical location
Revenue	38.6
Operating segments | BSI | Bruker BioSpin
Revenues disaggregated by Group and end customer geographical location
Revenue	131.8
Operating segments | BSI | Bruker CALID
Revenues disaggregated by Group and end customer geographical location
Revenue	131.3
Operating segments | BSI | Bruker Nano
Revenues disaggregated by Group and end customer geographical location
Revenue	123.9
Operating segments | BEST
Revenues disaggregated by Group and end customer geographical location
Revenue	45.6
Eliminations
Revenues disaggregated by Group and end customer geographical location
Revenue	$ (0.9)