Quarterly Financial Data (Unaudited) (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018	Sep. 30, 2018	Jun. 30, 2018	Mar. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Sep. 30, 2017	Jun. 30, 2017	Mar. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Quarterly Financial Data [Abstract]
Revenue	$ 43,449	$ 53,709	$ 39,546	$ 41,069	$ 55,299	$ 61,167	$ 65,875	$ 60,765	$ 177,773	$ 243,106	$ 188,233
Income (loss) from operations	(9,368)	(4,080)	(47,140)	(9,223)	563	(4,088)	(2,469)	(4,326)	(69,811)	(10,320)	(16,968)
Loss from continuing operations	9,943	(4,869)	(68,987)	(9,528)	(8,353)	(4,275)	(1,835)	(3,041)	(73,441)	(17,504)	(4,447)
Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of tax	(1,385)	937	(6,404)	9,595	(136)	1,173	(1,991)	(8,937)	2,743	(9,891)	(44,683)
Net loss	8,558	(3,932)	(75,391)	67	$ (8,489)	$ (3,102)	$ (3,826)	$ (11,978)	(70,698)	(27,395)	(49,130)
Net loss attributable to noncontrolling interests	1	0	357	0					358	0	0
Net loss attributable to Flotek Industries, Inc. (Flotek)	8,559	(3,932)	(75,034)	67					(70,340)	(27,395)	(49,130)
Amounts attributable to Flotek shareholders:
Loss from continuing operations	9,944	(4,869)	(68,630)	(9,528)					(73,083)	(17,504)	(4,447)
Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of tax	$ (1,385)	$ 937	$ (6,404)	$ 9,595					$ 2,743	$ (9,891)	$ (44,683)
Basic earnings (loss) per common share:
Continuing operations (in dollars per share)	$ 0.17	$ (0.08)	$ (1.19)	$ (0.17)	$ (0.15)	$ (0.07)	$ (0.03)	$ (0.05)	$ (1.26)	$ (0.30)	$ (0.08)
Discontinued operations (in dollars per share)	(0.02)	0.02	(0.11)	0.17	0	0.02	(0.03)	(0.15)	0.05	(0.17)	(0.80)
Basic earnings (loss) per common share (in dollars per share)	0.15	(0.06)	(1.30)	0	(0.15)	(0.05)	(0.06)	(0.20)	(1.21)	(0.47)	(0.88)
Diluted earnings (loss) per common share:
Continuing operations (in dollars per share)	0.17	(0.08)	(1.19)	(0.17)	(0.15)	(0.07)	(0.03)	(0.05)	(1.26)	(0.30)	(0.08)
Discontinued operations (in dollars per share)	(0.02)	0.02	(0.11)	0.17	0	0.02	(0.03)	(0.15)	0.05	(0.17)	(0.80)
Diluted earnings (loss) per common share (in dollars per share)	$ 0.15	$ (0.06)	$ (1.30)	$ 0	$ (0.15)	$ (0.05)	$ (0.06)	$ (0.20)	$ (1.21)	$ (0.47)	$ (0.88)