Share-based compensation arrangement by share-based payment award vested options purchased.

No definition available.

Name:	medp_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardVestedOptionsPurchased
Namespace Prefix:	medp_
Data Type:	xbrli:sharesItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Amount of expense for award under share-based payment arrangement. Excludes amount capitalized.

+ References

Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 718
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (b)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=116856206&loc=d3e5047-113901

Reference 2: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 718
-SubTopic 10
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SAB Topic 14.F)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=115993241&loc=d3e301413-122809

Reference 3: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 718
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 2
-Subparagraph (h)(1)(i)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=116856206&loc=d3e5070-113901

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_AllocatedShareBasedCompensationExpense
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Aggregate number of common shares reserved for future issuance.

+ References

Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 210
-SubTopic 10
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02.29)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6877327&loc=d3e13212-122682

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_CommonStockCapitalSharesReservedForFutureIssuance
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:sharesItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Amount of tax benefit for recognition of expense of award under share-based payment arrangement.

+ References

Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 718
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 2
-Subparagraph (h)(1)(i)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=116856206&loc=d3e5070-113901

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_EmployeeServiceShareBasedCompensationTaxBenefitFromCompensationExpense
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Period over which grantee's right to exercise award under share-based payment arrangement is no longer contingent on satisfaction of service or performance condition, in 'PnYnMnDTnHnMnS' format, for example, 'P1Y5M13D' represents reported fact of one year, five months, and thirteen days. Includes, but is not limited to, combination of market, performance or service condition.

+ References

Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 718
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 2
-Subparagraph (a)(1)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=116856206&loc=d3e5070-113901

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardVestingPeriod1
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:durationItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Description of service or performance condition required to be met for earning right to award under share-based payment arrangement. Includes, but is not limited to, combination of market, performance or service condition.

+ References

Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 718
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 2
-Subparagraph (a)(1)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=116856206&loc=d3e5070-113901

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardVestingRights
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

The number of grants made during the period on other than stock (or unit) option plans (for example, phantom stock or unit plan, stock or unit appreciation rights plan, performance target plan).

+ References

Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 718
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 2
-Subparagraph (c)(2)(iii)(1)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=116856206&loc=d3e5070-113901

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsGrantsInPeriod
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:sharesItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Line items represent financial concepts included in a table. These concepts are used to disclose reportable information associated with domain members defined in one or many axes to the table.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

The difference between the maximum number of shares (or other type of equity) authorized for issuance under the plan (including the effects of amendments and adjustments), and the sum of: 1) the number of shares (or other type of equity) already issued upon exercise of options or other equity-based awards under the plan; and 2) shares (or other type of equity) reserved for issuance on granting of outstanding awards, net of cancellations and forfeitures, if applicable.

+ References

Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 718
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 2
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=116856206&loc=d3e5070-113901

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardNumberOfSharesAvailableForGrant
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:sharesItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Gross number of share options (or share units) granted during the period.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsGrantsInPeriodGross
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:sharesItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Number of shares issued under share-based payment arrangement.

+ References

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardSharesIssuedInPeriod
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:sharesItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Period from grant date that an equity-based award expires, in 'PnYnMnDTnHnMnS' format, for example, 'P1Y5M13D' represents the reported fact of one year, five months, and thirteen days.

+ References

Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 718
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 2
-Subparagraph (a)(2)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=116856206&loc=d3e5070-113901

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_SharebasedCompensationArrangementBySharebasedPaymentAwardExpirationPeriod
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:durationItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_VestingAxis=medp_ShareBasedCompensationAwardVestingEquallyOnSecondThirdAndFourthAnniversaryOfGrantDateOverFourYearsMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_PlanNameAxis=medp_TwoThousandSixteenIncentiveAwardPlanMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis=medp_GrantedToEmployeesMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	srt_TitleOfIndividualAxis=medp_NonEmployeeDirectorsMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_VestingAxis=medp_ShareBasedCompensationAwardVestingAfterFourYearsMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis=us-gaap_EmployeeStockOptionMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis=us-gaap_RestrictedStockUnitsRSUMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis=medp_RestrictedStockAwardsMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_VestingAxis=medp_ShareBasedCompensationAwardVestingAfterOneYearMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_VestingAxis=medp_ShareBasedCompensationAwardFullyVestedMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_VestingAxis=medp_ShareBasedCompensationAwardVestingInTwelveEqualMonthlyInstallmentsMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_VestingAxis=medp_ShareBasedCompensationAwardVestingOverOneYearMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	srt_RangeAxis=srt_MaximumMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_PlanNameAxis=medp_TwoThousandFourteenEquityIncentivePlanMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	srt_RangeAxis=srt_MinimumMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_PlanNameAxis=medp_TwoThousandFourteenIncentiveAwardPlanMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionsByRelatedPartyAxis=medp_MedpaceInvestorsLLCMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_SubsidiarySaleOfStockAxis=medp_TenderOfferMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_IncomeStatementLocationAxis=us-gaap_SellingGeneralAndAdministrativeExpensesMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

Shareholders' Equity - Additional Information (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2019	Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Aug. 11, 2016
Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award [Line Items]
Stock options granted		859,960	584,301	853,896
Actual tax benefits recognized related to stock-based compensation		$ 5.5	$ 1.0	$ 0.5
Vesting Equally on Second, Third and Fourth Anniversary of Grant Date Over Four Years
Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award [Line Items]
Stock options granted				15,000
2016 Incentive Award Plan
Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award [Line Items]
Number of shares registered and available for grant					6,000,000
Shares available for future stock compensation grants		3,200,000	3,800,000
2016 Incentive Award Plan \| Granted to Employees
Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award [Line Items]
Awards granted to employees		816,286	850,700	968,550
2016 Incentive Award Plan \| Non-employee Directors
Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award [Line Items]
Stock options granted		41,853	33,801
Award vesting description		These awards will vest on the earlier of (a) the day immediately preceding the date of the first annual meeting following the date of grant and (b) the first anniversary of the date of grant, subject to the non-employee director continuing in service through the applicable vesting date.
2016 Incentive Award Plan \| Vesting After Four Years \| Stock Options
Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award [Line Items]
Stock options granted		10,000	550,500	797,550
Award vesting period		4 years	4 years	4 years
2016 Incentive Award Plan \| Vesting After Four Years \| Restricted Stock Units (RSU)
Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award [Line Items]
Award vesting period		4 years	4 years	4 years
Shares granted		227,610	300,200	38,000
2016 Incentive Award Plan \| Vesting After Four Years \| Restricted Stock Awards (RSA)
Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award [Line Items]
Award vesting period				4 years
Shares granted				118,000
2016 Incentive Award Plan \| Vesting After One Year
Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award [Line Items]
Stock options granted		5,000
Award vesting period		1 year
2016 Incentive Award Plan \| Fully-vested Awards
Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award [Line Items]
Stock options granted		551,676
2016 Incentive Award Plan \| Vesting in Twelve Equal Monthly Installments
Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award [Line Items]
Stock options granted		22,000
2016 Incentive Award Plan \| Vesting Over One Year \| Non-employee Directors
Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award [Line Items]
Stock options granted				41,346
Award vesting period				1 year
2016 Incentive Award Plan \| Maximum
Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award [Line Items]
Share-based compensation option terms		10 years
2014 Equity Incentive Plan
Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award [Line Items]
Share-based compensation option terms		7 years
2014 Equity Incentive Plan \| Maximum
Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award [Line Items]
Award vesting period		4 years
2014 Equity Incentive Plan \| Minimum
Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award [Line Items]
Award vesting period		3 years
2014 Incentive Award Plan \| Stock Options \| MPI \| Tender Offer
Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award [Line Items]
Number of vested options purchased by related party	229,431
2014 Incentive Award Plan \| Stock Options \| MPI \| Selling, General and Administrative Expenses \| Tender Offer
Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award [Line Items]
Stock-based compensation expense		$ 5.1