Share-based Compensation (Notes)	9 Months Ended
Share-based Compensation (Notes)	Sep. 30, 2017
Share-based Compensation [Abstract]
Disclosure of Compensation Related Costs, Share-based Payments [Text Block]	Share-based Compensation During the nine months ended September 30, 2017, the Company granted 324 stock options, 153 restricted stock units, 7 shares of restricted stock, and 22 performance units. The total fair value of awards granted to employees during the nine months ended September 30, 2017 was $13,246. In addition, non-employee directors received 13 stock awards with a fair value of $487. During the nine months ended September 30, 2017, participants in the Company’s stock option plans exercised options to purchase 43 shares of the Company’s common stock, while 80 stock options were forfeited and 22 stock options expired. Stock options generally vest ratably over a four-year vesting period. Restricted stock and restricted stock units generally vest ratably over a three-year period. Performance units generally vest at the end of a three-year performance period based on the achievement of certain performance conditions. Leveraged restricted share units generally vest on the third anniversary of the grant date. During the nine months ended September 30, 2017, 129 shares of restricted stock and restricted stock units vested while 25 restricted stock units were forfeited. Also, during the nine months ended September 30, 2017, 22 performance units vested while 8 performance units were forfeited. Additionally, during the nine months ended September 30, 2017, 6 leveraged restricted share units vested. Share-based compensation expense was $1,569 and $1,826 for the three months ended September 30, 2017 and 2016, respectively. Share-based compensation expense was $9,555 and $9,014 for the nine months ended September 30, 2017 and 2016, respectively. Share-based compensation expense is included in selling, general, and administrative expenses in the condensed consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income. As of September 30, 2017, total share-based compensation of $7,298 is expected to be recognized over the weighted-average period of approximately 2.2 years. On May 25, 2017, the Company held its annual meeting of stockholders. At the annual meeting, the Company’s stockholders approved the Chart Industries, Inc. 2017 Omnibus Equity Plan (the “2017 Omnibus Equity Plan”). As described in the Company’s definitive proxy statement for the annual meeting, the Company’s directors, officers and employees (including its principal executive officer, principal financial officer and other “named executive officers”) are eligible to be granted awards under the 2017 Omnibus Equity Plan.

The entire disclosure for compensation-related costs for equity-based compensation, which may include disclosure of policies, compensation plan details, allocation of equity compensation, incentive distributions, equity-based arrangements to obtain goods and services, deferred compensation arrangements, employee stock ownership plan details and employee stock purchase plan details.