Equity Earnings Per Share (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014		Mar. 31, 2013
Calculations of net income per share of common stock
Net income attributable to Chart Industries, Inc.	$ 11,997		$ 15,535
Basic	$ 0.40		$ 0.52
Diluted	$ 0.38		$ 0.51
Basic	30,346		30,035
Incremental Common Shares Attributable to Share-based Payment Arrangements	318		284
Incremental Common Shares Attributable to Dilutive Effect of Conversion of Debt Securities	718		107
Incremental Common Shares Attributable to Dilutive Effect of Call Options and Warrants	45		0
Weighted average number of common shares outstanding – diluted	31,427		30,426
Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share, Amount	738		3,679
Class of Warrant or Right, Exercise Price of Warrants or Rights	84.96
Stock Incentive Plans [Member]
Calculations of net income per share of common stock
Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share, Amount	23		204
Convertible note hedge and capped call transactions [Member]
Calculations of net income per share of common stock
Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share, Amount	715	[1]	107	[1]
Warrant [Member]
Calculations of net income per share of common stock
Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share, Amount	0		3,368

[1] The convertible note hedge and capped call transactions offset any dilution upon actual conversion of the Convertible Notes up to a common stock price of $84.96. See Note 4 for further information.