v2.4.1.9
Noncontrolling Interest - Reconciliation of Noncontrolling Interests (Detail) (USD $)
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2014
Dec. 31, 2013
Dec. 31, 2012
Stockholders' Equity Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest [Roll Forward]      
Balance, beginning of period $ 519us-gaap_MinorityInterest    
Non-controlling interest investment 21,267wex_NoncontrollingInterestinJointVenturesInvestmentsduringPeriod 1,032wex_NoncontrollingInterestinJointVenturesInvestmentsduringPeriod  
Net loss attributable to non-controlling interest (2,193)us-gaap_NetIncomeLossAttributableToNoncontrollingInterest (910)us-gaap_NetIncomeLossAttributableToNoncontrollingInterest (213)us-gaap_NetIncomeLossAttributableToNoncontrollingInterest
Ending balance 17,396us-gaap_MinorityInterest 519us-gaap_MinorityInterest  
WEX Europe Services      
Stockholders' Equity Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest [Roll Forward]      
Balance, beginning of period 519us-gaap_MinorityInterest
/ us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAxis
= wex_WEXEuropeServicesMember
0us-gaap_MinorityInterest
/ us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAxis
= wex_WEXEuropeServicesMember
 
Non-controlling interest investment 21,267wex_NoncontrollingInterestinJointVenturesInvestmentsduringPeriod
/ us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAxis
= wex_WEXEuropeServicesMember
1,032wex_NoncontrollingInterestinJointVenturesInvestmentsduringPeriod
/ us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAxis
= wex_WEXEuropeServicesMember
 
Net loss attributable to non-controlling interest (2,391)us-gaap_NetIncomeLossAttributableToNoncontrollingInterest
/ us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAxis
= wex_WEXEuropeServicesMember
(509)us-gaap_NetIncomeLossAttributableToNoncontrollingInterest
/ us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAxis
= wex_WEXEuropeServicesMember
 
Currency translation adjustment (1,999)wex_NoncontrollingInterestForeignCurrencyTranslationAdjustment
/ us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAxis
= wex_WEXEuropeServicesMember
(4)wex_NoncontrollingInterestForeignCurrencyTranslationAdjustment
/ us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAxis
= wex_WEXEuropeServicesMember
 
Ending balance $ 17,396us-gaap_MinorityInterest
/ us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAxis
= wex_WEXEuropeServicesMember
$ 519us-gaap_MinorityInterest
/ us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAxis
= wex_WEXEuropeServicesMember