Document and Entity Information - shares	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2020	Oct. 27, 2020
Cover page.
Document Type	10-Q
Amendment Flag	false
Document Quarterly Report	true
Document Period End Date	Sep. 30, 2020
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--12-31
Document Transition Report	false
Entity Registrant Name	Standard Motor Products, Inc.
Entity Incorporation, State or Country Code	NY
Entity File Number	001-04743
Entity Tax Identification Number	11-1362020
Entity Address, Address Line One	37-18 NORTHERN BLVD.
Entity Address, City or Town	LONG ISLAND CITY
Entity Address, State or Province	NY
Entity Address, Postal Zip Code	11101
City Area Code	718
Local Phone Number	392-0200
Entity Filer Category	Large Accelerated Filer
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes
Entity Interactive Data Current	Yes
Entity Emerging Growth Company	false
Entity Shell Company	false
Entity Small Business	false
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		22,446,114
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2020
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q3
Entity Central Index Key	0000093389
Title of 12(b) Security	Common Stock, par value $2.00 per share
Trading Symbol	SMP
Security Exchange Name	NYSE