Fronting Fee Percentage Charged For Issuance Of Letters Of Credit

No definition available.

Name:	gtls_FrontingFeePercentageChargedForIssuanceOfLettersOfCredit
Namespace Prefix:	gtls_
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Interest to EBITDA

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	gtls_InteresttoEBITDA
Namespace Prefix:	gtls_
Data Type:	xbrli:pureItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Line of Credit, Participation Fee Percentage

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	gtls_LineofCreditParticipationFeePercentage
Namespace Prefix:	gtls_
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Maximum Percentage Of Capital Stock Guaranteed By Companys Material Non US Subsidiaries For Obligations Under The Senior Credit Facility

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	gtls_MaximumPercentageOfCapitalStockGuaranteedByCompanysMaterialNonUSSubsidiariesForObligationsUnderSeniorCreditFacility
Namespace Prefix:	gtls_
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Amount of amortization expense attributable to debt issuance costs.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2009/role/commonPracticeRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 230
-SubTopic 10
-Section 45
-Paragraph 28
-Subparagraph (b)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=109223946&loc=d3e3602-108585

Reference 2: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 220
-SubTopic 10
-Section S99
-Paragraph 2
-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-03(8))
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=115205541&loc=SL114868664-224227

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 835
-SubTopic 30
-Section 45
-Paragraph 3
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=114775744&loc=d3e28555-108399

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_AmortizationOfFinancingCosts
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Percentage points added to the reference rate to compute the variable rate on the debt instrument.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_DebtInstrumentBasisSpreadOnVariableRate1
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Amount, before unamortized (discount) premium and debt issuance costs, of long-term debt. Includes, but is not limited to, notes payable, bonds payable, commercial loans, mortgage loans, convertible debt, subordinated debt and other types of debt.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 470
-SubTopic 20
-Section 50
-Paragraph 4
-Subparagraph (b)(1)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=109500613&loc=SL6031897-161870

Reference 2: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 944
-SubTopic 210
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.7-03(16))
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6879938&loc=d3e572229-122910

Reference 3: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 210
-SubTopic 10
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02(22))
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6877327&loc=d3e13212-122682

Reference 4: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 942
-SubTopic 210
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.9-03(16))
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6876686&loc=d3e534808-122878

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_DebtInstrumentCarryingAmount
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Line items represent financial concepts included in a table. These concepts are used to disclose reportable information associated with domain members defined in one or many axes to the table.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Period of time between issuance and maturity of debt instrument, in PnYnMnDTnHnMnS' format, for example, 'P1Y5M13D' represents the reported fact of one year, five months, and thirteen days.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_DebtInstrumentTerm
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:durationItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Weighted average interest rate of debt outstanding.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_DebtWeightedAverageInterestRate
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Amount, before accumulated amortization, of debt issuance costs. Includes, but is not limited to, legal, accounting, underwriting, printing, and registration costs.

+ References

Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 835
-SubTopic 30
-Section 45
-Paragraph 3
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=114775744&loc=d3e28555-108399

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_DeferredFinanceCostsGross
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Amount of the cost of borrowed funds accounted for as interest expense for debt.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 470
-SubTopic 20
-Section 50
-Paragraph 6
-Subparagraph (b)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=109500613&loc=SL6036836-161870

Reference 2: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 220
-SubTopic 10
-Section S99
-Paragraph 2
-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-03.8)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=115205541&loc=SL114868664-224227

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_InterestExpenseDebt
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

The total amount of the contingent obligation under letters of credit outstanding as of the reporting date.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_LettersOfCreditOutstandingAmount
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Maximum borrowing capacity under the credit facility without consideration of any current restrictions on the amount that could be borrowed or the amounts currently outstanding under the facility.

+ References

Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 210
-SubTopic 10
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02.19(b),22(b))
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6877327&loc=d3e13212-122682

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityMaximumBorrowingCapacity
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Amount of borrowing capacity currently available under the credit facility (current borrowing capacity less the amount of borrowings outstanding).

+ References

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityRemainingBorrowingCapacity
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

The fee, expressed as a percentage of the line of credit facility, for available but unused credit capacity under the credit facility.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityUnusedCapacityCommitmentFeePercentage
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Indebtedness divided by net capital.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_RatioOfIndebtednessToNetCapital1
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:pureItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

The remaining balance of debt issuance expenses that were capitalized and are being amortized against income over the lives of the respective bond issues. This does not include the amounts capitalized as part of the cost of the utility plant or asset.

+ References

Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 210
-SubTopic 10
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02.17)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6877327&loc=d3e13212-122682

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_UnamortizedDebtIssuanceExpense
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis=gtls_ConvertibleNotesDue2018Member
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis=us-gaap_ConvertibleDebtMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_StatementScenarioAxis=us-gaap_ScenarioForecastMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	srt_RangeAxis=srt_MinimumMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	srt_RangeAxis=srt_MaximumMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis=gtls_SeniorSecuredRevolvingCreditFacilitydue2022Member
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis=us-gaap_RevolvingCreditFacilityMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_CreditFacilityAxis=us-gaap_RevolvingCreditFacilityMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	gtls_DebtCovenantTermsAxisAxis=gtls_NewYorkFederalReserveBankRateMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	gtls_DebtCovenantTermsAxisAxis=gtls_AdjustedBaseRateMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_CreditFacilityAxis=gtls_RevolvingCreditFacilitySublimitSwinglineMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_CreditFacilityAxis=gtls_RevolvingCreditFacilitySublimitLettersofCreditMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_CreditFacilityAxis=gtls_RevolvingCreditFacilitySublimitForeignCurrencyMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_CreditFacilityAxis=gtls_RevolvingCreditFacilitySublimitForeignBorrowerMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_CreditFacilityAxis=gtls_RevolvingCreditFacilitySublimitExpansionOptionMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

Debt and Credit Arrangements - Senior Secured Revolving Credit Facility (Details)		9 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Oct. 26, 2018 USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2018 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2018 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2017 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2016 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2015 USD ($)	Mar. 31, 2020
Debt Instrument
Financing costs amortization			$ 1,300,000	$ 1,300,000	$ 1,300,000
Interest expense, debt			$ 15,900,000	9,300,000	5,600,000
Convertible Notes, due 2018 \| Convertible Debt
Debt Instrument
Leverage ratio			4.50
Unamortized debt issuance costs			$ 0	100,000
Financing costs amortization			100,000	600,000	700,000
Interest expense, debt			$ 2,900,000	16,100,000	17,500,000
Convertible Notes, due 2018 \| Convertible Debt \| Forecasted
Debt Instrument
Leverage ratio							3.50
Convertible Notes, due 2018 \| Convertible Debt \| Minimum
Debt Instrument
Interest to EBITDA			3.0
Convertible Notes, due 2018 \| Convertible Debt \| Maximum
Debt Instrument
Leverage ratio			4.00
Senior Secured Revolving Credit Facility, due 2022 \| Revolving Credit Facility
Debt Instrument
Line of credit fronting fee (as a percentage)			0.125%
Revolving Credit Facility \| Senior Secured Revolving Credit Facility, due 2022
Debt Instrument
Debt instrument, term	5 years	5 years
Maximum borrowing capacity	$ 550,000,000	$ 450,000,000.0
Debt issuance costs			$ 3,200,000
Unamortized debt issuance costs			3,100,000
Financing costs amortization			600,000	600,000	600,000	$ 600,000
Long-term debt, gross			$ 329,300,000	239,000,000
Debt instrument weighted average interest rate (percent)			4.10%
Letter of credit outstanding			$ 47,600,000
Line of credit remaining borrowing amount			173,100,000
Interest expense, debt			$ 11,800,000	$ 2,700,000	$ 0
Maximum percentage of capital stock guaranteed by company			65.00%
Revolving Credit Facility \| Senior Secured Revolving Credit Facility, due 2022 \| Minimum
Debt Instrument
Line of credit commitment fee (as a percentage)			0.20%
Line of credit participation fee (as a percentage)			1.50%
Revolving Credit Facility \| Senior Secured Revolving Credit Facility, due 2022 \| Maximum
Debt Instrument
Line of credit commitment fee (as a percentage)			0.375%
Line of credit participation fee (as a percentage)			2.50%
Revolving Credit Facility \| Senior Secured Revolving Credit Facility, due 2022 \| NYFRB
Debt Instrument
Debt Instrument, Basis Spread on Variable Rate			0.50%
Revolving Credit Facility \| Senior Secured Revolving Credit Facility, due 2022 \| Adjusted Base Rate
Debt Instrument
Debt Instrument, Basis Spread on Variable Rate			1.00%
Revolving Credit Facility Sub-limit - Swingline \| Senior Secured Revolving Credit Facility, due 2022
Debt Instrument
Maximum borrowing capacity			$ 25,000,000
Interest expense, debt			0
Revolving Credit Facility Sub-limit - Letters of Credit \| Senior Secured Revolving Credit Facility, due 2022
Debt Instrument
Maximum borrowing capacity			100,000,000
Revolving Credit Facility Sub-limit - Foreign Currency \| Senior Secured Revolving Credit Facility, due 2022
Debt Instrument
Maximum borrowing capacity			250,000,000
Revolving Credit Facility Sub-limit - Foreign Borrower \| Senior Secured Revolving Credit Facility, due 2022
Debt Instrument
Maximum borrowing capacity			250,000,000
Revolving Credit Facility Sub-limit - Expansion Option \| Senior Secured Revolving Credit Facility, due 2022
Debt Instrument
Maximum borrowing capacity			$ 225,000,000