Document and Entity Information (USD $)	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2013	Jul. 31, 2013	Jun. 30, 2012
Document and Entity Information [Abstract]
Entity Registrant Name	SENSIENT TECHNOLOGIES CORP
Entity Central Index Key	0000310142
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--12-31
Entity Well-known Seasoned Issuer	Yes
Entity Voluntary Filers	No
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes
Entity Filer Category	Large Accelerated Filer
Entity Public Float			$ 1,802,797,132
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		50,043,385
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2013
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q2
Document Type	10-Q
Amendment Flag	false
Document Period End Date	Jun. 30, 2013