Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
Statement of Comprehensive Income [Abstract]
Net earnings, including noncontrolling interests	$ 261,780	$ 125,050	$ 4,328
Other comprehensive income (loss):
Foreign currency translation adjustments, net of deferred taxes of $(740), $(490) and $19,593 in 2019, 2018 and 2017, respectively	6,561	(63,146)	98,830
Pension and other postretirement effects, net of deferred taxes of $(598), $3,103 and $(14,228) in 2019, 2018 and 2017, respectively	(16,514)	(4,892)	20,775
Cash flow hedging activity, net of deferred taxes of $(38) in 2017	187	232	148
Other comprehensive income (loss)	(9,766)	(67,806)	119,753
Comprehensive income, including noncontrolling interests	252,014	57,244	124,081
Comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interests	(8,691)	(6,047)	(2,114)
Comprehensive income attributable to Flowserve Corporation	$ 243,323	$ 51,197	$ 121,967