Financial Instruments and Fair Value Measurement - Pretax Derivative Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss (Details) $ in Millions	6 Months Ended
Jun. 30, 2019 USD ($)
Cumulative Changes in Derivative Net Gain (Loss) [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance	$ 2,018.5
Ending balance	2,056.9
Graphic Packaging Holding Company, Derivative Instruments
Cumulative Changes in Derivative Net Gain (Loss) [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance	(1.9)
Reclassification to Earnings	(0.5)
Current Period Change in Fair Value	(7.6)
Ending balance	$ (10.0)

Cumulative Changes in Derivative Net Gain (Loss) [Roll Forward]

No definition available.

Name:	gpk_CumulativeChangesInDerivativeNetGainLossRollForward
Namespace Prefix:	gpk_
Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Amount before tax, after reclassification adjustments of other comprehensive income (loss).

+ References

Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 323
-SubTopic 10
-Section 45
-Paragraph 3
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=109237563&loc=d3e33775-111570

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossBeforeTax
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Amount before tax of reclassification adjustments of other comprehensive income (loss).

+ References

Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 220
-SubTopic 10
-Section 45
-Paragraph 14A
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=118930883&loc=SL7669686-108580

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 220
-SubTopic 10
-Section 45
-Paragraph 17B
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=118930883&loc=SL34724394-108580

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_ReclassificationFromAccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeCurrentPeriodBeforeTax
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Amount of stockholders' equity (deficit), net of receivables from officers, directors, owners, and affiliates of the entity, attributable to both the parent and noncontrolling interests. Amount excludes temporary equity. Alternate caption for the concept is permanent equity.

+ References

Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 810
-SubTopic 10
-Section 45
-Paragraph 16
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=108774443&loc=SL4568740-111683

Reference 2: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 810
-SubTopic 10
-Section 55
-Paragraph 4I
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=116874947&loc=SL4590271-111686

Reference 3: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 810
-SubTopic 10
-Section 45
-Paragraph 15
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=108774443&loc=SL4568447-111683

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_StockholdersEquityIncludingPortionAttributableToNoncontrollingInterest
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis=us-gaap_AccumulatedGainLossNetCashFlowHedgeParentMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type: