Document and Entity Information - USD ($)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015	Jan. 27, 2016	Jun. 30, 2015
Document And Entity Information [Abstract]
Entity Registrant Name	HEXCEL CORP /DE/
Entity Central Index Key	0000717605
Document Type	10-K
Document Period End Date	Dec. 31, 2015
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			$ 4,785,337,672
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		93,290,125
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2015
Document Fiscal Period Focus	FY
Trading Symbol	HXL