Cover - shares	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2020	Oct. 19, 2020
Cover [Abstract]
Document Type	10-Q
Document Quarterly Report	true
Document Period End Date	Sep. 30, 2020
Document Transition Report	false
Entity File Number	1-11442
Entity Registrant Name	CHART INDUSTRIES, INC.
Entity Incorporation, State	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 each class	Common Stock, par value $0.01
Trading Symbol(s)	GTLS
Name of each exchange on which registered	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		36,060,520
Amendment Flag	false
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2020
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q3
Entity Central Index Key	0000892553
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--12-31