Revenue - Disaggregation (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2018	Jun. 30, 2018
Revenues disaggregated by Group and end customer geographical location
Revenue	$ 443.7	$ 875.4
Revenue recognized at a point in time
Revenues disaggregated by Group and end customer geographical location
Revenue	405.3	800.5
Revenue recognized over time
Revenues disaggregated by Group and end customer geographical location
Revenue	38.4	74.9
United States
Revenues disaggregated by Group and end customer geographical location
Revenue	108.4	213.2
Germany
Revenues disaggregated by Group and end customer geographical location
Revenue	48.9	90.4
Rest of Europe
Revenues disaggregated by Group and end customer geographical location
Revenue	111.9	231.8
Asia Pacific
Revenues disaggregated by Group and end customer geographical location
Revenue	135.5	262.4
Other
Revenues disaggregated by Group and end customer geographical location
Revenue	39.0	77.6
Operating segments | BSI | Bruker BioSpin
Revenues disaggregated by Group and end customer geographical location
Revenue	139.9	271.7
Operating segments | BSI | Bruker CALID
Revenues disaggregated by Group and end customer geographical location
Revenue	128.0	259.3
Operating segments | BSI | Bruker Nano
Revenues disaggregated by Group and end customer geographical location
Revenue	134.5	258.4
Operating segments | BEST
Revenues disaggregated by Group and end customer geographical location
Revenue	42.7	88.3
Eliminations
Revenues disaggregated by Group and end customer geographical location
Revenue	$ (1.4)	$ (2.3)