Cover - shares	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2019	Oct. 14, 2019
Cover page.
Document Type	10-Q
Document Quarterly Report	true
Document Period End Date	Sep. 30, 2019
Document Transition Report	false
Entity File Number	1-11442
Entity Incorporation, State or Country Code	DE
Entity Tax Identification Number	34-1712937
Street Address	3055 Torrington Drive
Entity City or Town	Ball Ground
Entity State or Province	GA
Entity Postal Zip Code	30107
City Area Code	770
Local Phone Number	721-8800
Title of 12(b) Security	Common Stock, par value $0.01
Trading Symbol	GTLS
Security Exchange Name	NASDAQ
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes
Entity Interactive Data Current	Yes
Entity Filer Category	Large Accelerated Filer
Entity Small Business	false
Entity Emerging Growth Company	false
Entity Shell Company	false
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		35,798,979
Amendment Flag	false
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2019
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q3
Entity Registrant Name	CHART INDUSTRIES INC
Entity Central Index Key	0000892553
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--12-31