Earnings Per Share (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2012	Mar. 31, 2011
Calculations of net income per share of common stock
Net income attributable to Chart Industries, Inc. (in dollars)	$ 14,083	$ 7,530
Net income attributable to Chart Industries, Inc. per common share – basic	$ 0.48	$ 0.26
Net income attributable to Chart Industries, Inc. per common share – diluted	$ 0.47	$ 0.25
Weighted average number of common shares outstanding – basic	29,593	28,768
Incremental shares issuable upon assumed conversion and exercise of stock options	468	910
Total shares – diluted	30,061	29,678
Stock Options [Member]
Calculations of net income per share of common stock
Anti-dilutive stock options exluded from total shares-diluted (in shares)	105	0