Document and Entity Information - USD ($) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2020	Jan. 31, 2021	Jun. 30, 2020
Cover [Abstract]
Document Type	10-K
Document Annual Report	true
Document Period End Date	Dec. 31, 2020
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--12-31
Document Transition Report	false
Entity File Number	1-134
Entity Registrant Name	CURTISS-WRIGHT CORPORATION
Entity Incorporation, State or Country Code	DE
Entity Tax Identification Number	13-0612970
Entity Address, Address Line One	130 Harbour Place Drive, Suite 300
Entity Address, City or Town	Davidson,
Entity Address, State or Province	NC
Entity Address, Postal Zip Code	28036
City Area Code	704
Local Phone Number	869-4600
Title of 12(b) Security	Common Stock
Trading Symbol	CW
Security Exchange Name	NYSE
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes
Entity Voluntary Filers	No
Entity Well-known Seasoned Issuer	Yes
Entity Interactive Data Current	Yes
Entity Filer Category	Large Accelerated Filer
Entity Small Business	false
Entity Emerging Growth Company	false
ICFR Auditor Attestation Flag	true
Entity Shell Company	false
Entity Public Float			$ 3,300
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		40,938,180
Documents Incorporated by Reference	Portions of the Proxy Statement of the Registrant with respect to the 2021 Annual Meeting of Stockholders to be held on May 6, 2021 are incorporated by reference into Part III of this Form 10-K.
Entity Central Index Key	0000026324
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2020
Document Fiscal Period Focus	FY
Amendment Flag	false