Document and Entity Information (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013	Feb. 06, 2014	Jun. 28, 2013
Document and Entity Information [Abstract]
Entity Registrant Name	BADGER METER INC
Entity Central Index Key	0000009092
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--12-31
Entity Filer Category	Accelerated Filer
Document Type	10-K
Document Period End Date	Dec. 31, 2013
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2013
Document Fiscal Period Focus	FY
Amendment Flag	false
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		14,406,540
No	No
No	No
Yes	Yes
Entity Public Float			$ 613,399,995