Revenue - Disaggregation (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2018
Revenues disaggregated by Group and end customer geographical location
Revenue	$ 466.6	$ 1,342.0
Revenue recognized at a point in time
Revenues disaggregated by Group and end customer geographical location
Revenue	427.1	1,227.6
Revenue recognized over time
Revenues disaggregated by Group and end customer geographical location
Revenue	39.5	114.4
United States
Revenues disaggregated by Group and end customer geographical location
Revenue	134.1	347.3
Germany
Revenues disaggregated by Group and end customer geographical location
Revenue	44.9	135.3
Rest of Europe
Revenues disaggregated by Group and end customer geographical location
Revenue	114.6	346.4
Asia Pacific
Revenues disaggregated by Group and end customer geographical location
Revenue	134.4	396.8
Other
Revenues disaggregated by Group and end customer geographical location
Revenue	38.6	116.2
Operating segments | BSI | Bruker BioSpin
Revenues disaggregated by Group and end customer geographical location
Revenue	139.5	411.2
Operating segments | BSI | Bruker CALID
Revenues disaggregated by Group and end customer geographical location
Revenue	134.6	393.9
Operating segments | BSI | Bruker Nano
Revenues disaggregated by Group and end customer geographical location
Revenue	143.0	401.4
Operating segments | BEST
Revenues disaggregated by Group and end customer geographical location
Revenue	50.9	139.2
Eliminations
Revenues disaggregated by Group and end customer geographical location
Revenue	$ (1.4)	$ (3.7)