Document and Entity Information (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2012	Jun. 30, 2012
Document and Entity Information
Entity Registrant Name	LINCOLN ELECTRIC HOLDINGS INC
Entity Central Index Key	0000059527
Document Type	10-K
Document Period End Date	Dec. 31, 2012
Amendment Flag	false
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		$ 3,558,724,932
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding	82,944,817
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2012
Document Fiscal Period Focus	FY