Restructuring and Other Charges, Net (Details) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended																																						0 Months Ended	12 Months Ended	0 Months Ended	12 Months Ended									1 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010	Dec. 31, 2012 BRAE	Dec. 31, 2011 BRAE	Dec. 31, 2011 TWVC	Dec. 31, 2012 North America	Dec. 31, 2011 North America	Dec. 31, 2010 North America	Dec. 31, 2011 France	Dec. 31, 2011 Asia	Dec. 31, 2010 Asia	Dec. 31, 2012 Europe	Dec. 31, 2011 Europe	Dec. 31, 2010 Europe	Dec. 31, 2010 2007 Actions	Dec. 31, 2010 2009 Actions	Dec. 31, 2012 2010 Actions	Dec. 31, 2011 2010 Actions	Dec. 31, 2010 2010 Actions	Dec. 31, 2012 2010 Actions North America	Dec. 31, 2011 2010 Actions North America	Dec. 31, 2012 2010 Actions Europe	Dec. 31, 2011 2010 Actions Europe	Dec. 31, 2012 2010 Actions Europe and North America	Dec. 31, 2011 2010 Actions Europe and North America	Dec. 31, 2010 2010 Actions Europe and North America	Dec. 31, 2009 2010 Actions Europe and North America	Dec. 31, 2012 2011 Actions	Dec. 31, 2011 2011 Actions	Dec. 31, 2012 2011 Actions Danfoss Socla S.A.S	Dec. 31, 2012 2011 Actions Asia Danfoss Socla S.A.S	Dec. 31, 2011 2011 Actions Asia Danfoss Socla S.A.S	Dec. 31, 2012 2011 Actions Europe Danfoss Socla S.A.S	Dec. 31, 2011 2011 Actions Europe Danfoss Socla S.A.S	Dec. 31, 2012 Other Actions	Dec. 31, 2011 Other Actions	Dec. 31, 2010 Other Actions	Sep. 30, 2010 Facilities consolidation 2010 Actions U.S. item	Dec. 31, 2012 Facilities consolidation 2010 Actions U.S.	Feb. 28, 2010 Facilities consolidation 2010 Actions France item	Dec. 31, 2012 Facilities consolidation 2010 Actions France	Dec. 31, 2012 Facilities consolidation 2011 Actions Europe	Dec. 31, 2012 Facilities consolidation 2012 Actions North America	Dec. 31, 2012 Severance 2010 Actions Europe and North America	Dec. 31, 2011 Severance 2010 Actions Europe and North America	Dec. 31, 2010 Severance 2010 Actions Europe and North America	Dec. 31, 2009 Severance 2010 Actions Europe and North America	Dec. 31, 2012 Severance 2011 Actions Danfoss Socla S.A.S	Dec. 31, 2011 Severance 2011 Actions Danfoss Socla S.A.S	Sep. 30, 2011 Severance 2011 Actions North America	Dec. 31, 2011 Severance 2011 Actions North America	Dec. 31, 2012 Severance 2012 Actions North America	Dec. 31, 2012 Asset write-downs 2010 Actions Europe and North America	Dec. 31, 2011 Asset write-downs 2010 Actions Europe and North America	Dec. 31, 2010 Asset write-downs 2010 Actions Europe and North America	Dec. 31, 2012 Facility exit and other 2010 Actions Europe and North America	Dec. 31, 2011 Facility exit and other 2010 Actions Europe and North America	Dec. 31, 2010 Facility exit and other 2010 Actions Europe and North America	Dec. 31, 2009 Facility exit and other 2010 Actions Europe and North America
Restructuring and other charges
Original estimate of expected costs																															$ 6.4								$ 4.9		$ 12.5			$ 2.2									$ 1.7
Net after tax charge																															2.8									1.5				1.3
Reduction in non-direct payroll cost (as a percent)																																																			10.00%
Severance charge																																																				1.1
Net restructuring costs and other charges	5.3	10.0	14.1				1.3	1.2	4.1		0.2	0.8	4.0	8.6	9.2
Income related to contingent liability reduction	(1.0)	(1.2)
Less: amounts included in cost of goods sold			(1.5)
Net pre-tax restructuring charges	5.3	10.0	14.1													1.0	1.8	0.6	3.3	11.1									1.1	3.1						3.6	3.6	0.2					4.0				4.9
Tax charge related to restructuring	1.1	0.3	(1.7)							1.1
Net tax benefit realized in connection with the disposition						3.7
Total restructuring and other charges, net	4.3	8.8	12.6																						0.6	3.3	11.1																		0.3	1.5	4.9		1.1	3.1					0.5	1.7	0.3	1.3	4.5
Total estimated cost (pre-tax)																		19.6			2.5		17.1		19.6							0.2		4.0						2.5		17.1			10.9				4.2					2.2			6.5
Costs incurred through date																			19.0			2.5		16.5									0.2		2.9															3.1
Costs incurred																		(0.6)					(0.6)		(0.6)	(3.3)	(11.1)	(4.6)						(1.1)											(0.3)	(1.5)	(4.9)	(4.2)	(1.1)						(0.5)	(1.7)	(0.3)	(1.3)	(4.5)	(0.4)
Number of operating facilities included under restructuring program																																									5
Number of manufacturing facilities to be shut down																																							2
Number of facilities after consolidation																																									2
Expected pre-tax training and pre-production set-up costs																																								2.0
Reduction in anticipated earnout payment				$ 1.0	$ 1.2