Document and Entity Information - shares	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2019	Oct. 14, 2019
Document And Entity Information [Abstract]
Document Type	10-Q
Amendment Flag	false
Document Period End Date	Sep. 30, 2019
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2019
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q3
Trading Symbol	BMI
Title of 12(b) Security	Common Stock
Security Exchange Name	NYSE
Entity Registrant Name	BADGER METER INC
Entity Central Index Key	0000009092
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--12-31
Entity Filer Category	Large Accelerated Filer
Entity Small Business	false
Entity Emerging Growth Company	false
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		29,111,332
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes
Entity Interactive Data Current	Yes
Entity Shell Company	false
Document Quarterly Report	true
Document Transition Report	false
Entity File Number	001-06706
Entity Incorporation, State or Country Code	WI
Entity Tax Identification Number	39-0143280
Entity Address, Address Line One	4545 W. Brown Deer Road
Entity Address, City or Town	Milwaukee
Entity Address, State or Province	WI
Entity Address, Postal Zip Code	53233
City Area Code	414
Local Phone Number	355-0400