Document and Entity Information - shares	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2019	Jul. 31, 2019
Cover [Abstract]
Entity Registrant Name	SENSIENT TECHNOLOGIES CORP
Entity Central Index Key	0000310142
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--12-31
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes
Entity Interactive Data Current	Yes
Entity Shell Company	false
Entity Filer Category	Large Accelerated Filer
Entity Small Business	false
Entity Emerging Growth Company	false
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		42,319,163
Document Type	10-Q
Amendment Flag	false
Document Period End Date	Jun. 30, 2019
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2019
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q2
Document Quarterly Report	true
Document Transition Report	false
Entity File Number	001-07626
Entity Tax Identification Number	39-0561070
Entity Incorporation, State or Country Code	WI
Entity Address, Address Line One	777 EAST WISCONSIN AVENUE
Entity Address, City or Town	MILWAUKEE
Entity Address, State or Province	WI
Entity Address, Postal Zip Code	53202-5304
City Area Code	414
Local Phone Number	271-6755
Title of 12(b) Security	Common Stock, par value $0.10 per share
Trading Symbol	SXT
Security Exchange Name	NYSE