DEI Document - shares	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2019	Aug. 01, 2019
Entity Information [Line Items]
Document Type	10-Q
Document Quarterly Report	true
Document Period End Date	Jun. 30, 2019
Document Transition Report	false
Entity File Number	001-15103
Entity Registrant Name	INVACARE CORPORATION
Entity Incorporation, State or Country Code	OH
Entity Tax Identification Number	95-2680965
Entity Address, Address Line One	One Invacare Way
Entity Address, City or Town	Elyria
Entity Address, State or Province	OH
Entity Address, Postal Zip Code	44035
City Area Code	440
Local Phone Number	329-6000
Title of 12(b) Security	Common Shares, without par value
Trading Symbol	IVC
Security Exchange Name	NYSE
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes
Entity Interactive Data Current	Yes
Entity Filer Category	Accelerated Filer
Entity Small Business	false
Entity Emerging Growth Company	false
Entity Shell Company	false
Entity Central Index Key	0000742112
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--12-31
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2019
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q2
Amendment Flag	false
Common Shares [Member]
Entity Information [Line Items]
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		33,673,829
Class B Common Shares [Member]
Entity Information [Line Items]
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		6,357