Equity Earnings Per Share (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended				9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014		Sep. 30, 2013		Sep. 30, 2014		Sep. 30, 2013
Calculations of net income per share of common stock
Net income attributable to Chart Industries, Inc.	$ 22,851		$ 24,445		$ 54,917		$ 59,980
Basic	$ 0.75		$ 0.81		$ 1.81		$ 1.99
Diluted	$ 0.74		$ 0.74		$ 1.77		$ 1.90
Basic	30,396		30,275		30,377		30,181
Incremental Common Shares Attributable to Share-based Payment Arrangements	272		354		283		352
Incremental Common Shares Attributable to Dilutive Effect of Conversion of Debt Securities	103		1,399		396		866
Incremental Common Shares Attributable to Dilutive Effect of Call Options and Warrants	0		823		0		215
Weighted average number of common shares outstanding – diluted	30,771		32,851		31,056		31,614
Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share, Amount	3,495		1,336		3,790		856
Class of Warrant or Right, Exercise Price of Warrants or Rights	84.96				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	24		0		26		6
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	103	[1]	1,336	[1]	396	[1]	850	[1]
Warrant [Member]
Calculations of net income per share of common stock
Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share, Amount	3,368		0		3,368		0

[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.