Document and Entity Information - shares	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2019	Jul. 15, 2019
Document And Entity Information [Abstract]
Entity Registrant Name	HEXCEL CORP /DE/
Entity Central Index Key	0000717605
Document Type	10-Q
Document Period End Date	Jun. 30, 2019
Amendment Flag	false
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--12-31
Entity Filer Category	Large Accelerated Filer
Entity Small Business	false
Entity Emerging Growth Company	false
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		85,082,980
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2019
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q2
Trading Symbol	HXL
Entity Shell Company	false
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes
Entity File Number	1-8472
Entity Tax Identification Number	941109521
Entity Address, Address Line One	Two Stamford Plaza
Entity Address, Address Line Two	281 Tresser Boulevard
Entity Address, City or Town	Stamford
Entity Address, State or Province	Connecticut
Entity Address, Postal Zip Code	06901
City Area Code	(203)
Local Phone Number	969-0666