Quarterly Data (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended									12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2011	Sep. 30, 2011	Jun. 30, 2011	Mar. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010	Sep. 30, 2010	Jun. 30, 2010		Mar. 31, 2010	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010	Dec. 31, 2009
Quarterly Financial Information Disclosure [Abstract]
Sales	$ 219,635	$ 211,311	$ 200,698	$ 162,941	$ 158,838	$ 139,205	$ 139,144		$ 118,268	$ 794,585	$ 555,455	$ 597,458
Gross profit	63,999	66,631	62,330	52,486	50,647	42,801	37,575		34,276	245,446	165,299	201,881
Operating income	25,155	29,043	21,489	14,307	18,099	13,239	8,563		7,603	89,994	47,504	94,334
Net income	8,316	17,505	11,020	7,403	9,963	6,665	2,458		1,419	44,244	20,505	61,156
Net income attributable to Chart Industries, Inc.	8,415	17,540	10,591	7,530	9,802	6,575	2,399	[1]	1,384	44,076	20,160	61,011
Net income attributable to Chart Industries, Inc. per common share - basic	$ 0.29	$ 0.60	$ 0.36	$ 0.26	$ 0.34	$ 0.23	$ 0.08		$ 0.05	$ 1.51	$ 0.71	$ 2.14
Net income attributable to Chart Industries, Inc. per common share - diluted	$ 0.28	$ 0.59	$ 0.35	$ 0.25	$ 0.33	$ 0.23	$ 0.08		$ 0.05	$ 1.47	$ 0.69	$ 2.11
Gain on acquisition of business							$ (1,124)			$ 0	$ (1,124)	$ (6,954)

[1] Includes $1,124 gain from acquisition of business.