Class of Warrant or Right, Threshold Trading Days Expiration

No definition available.

Name:	qgen_ClassofWarrantorRightThresholdTradingDaysExpiration
Namespace Prefix:	qgen_
Data Type:	xbrli:durationItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Convertible Debt, Subscription Right, Percentage

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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Namespace Prefix:	qgen_
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Debt Instrument, Commitment Fee Calculation Basis On Applicable Margin, Percentage

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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Namespace Prefix:	qgen_
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Debt Instrument, Convertible, Cash Settlement Amount, Period

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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Namespace Prefix:	qgen_
Data Type:	xbrli:durationItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Debt Instrument, Convertible, Debt Principal Amount Used in Conversion Ratio

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Debt Instrument, Convertible, Number of Shares Used in Conversion Ratio

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Debt Instrument, Convertible, Threshold Business Period

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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Data Type:	xbrli:durationItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Debt Instrument Issued At 100 Percent Of Face Amount

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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Namespace Prefix:	qgen_
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Debt Instrument, Redemption Price, Percentage of Principal Amount Outstanding

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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Namespace Prefix:	qgen_
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Debt Instrument, Unsecured Notes, Number of Series

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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Data Type:	xbrli:integerItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Derivative, Cost of Hedge Net of Cash Received, Initial

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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Namespace Prefix:	qgen_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Loan Term Period Offered

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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Namespace Prefix:	qgen_
Data Type:	xbrli:durationItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Number of LInes of Credit

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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Data Type:	xbrli:integerItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Proceeds from Issuance of Warrants, Gross

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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Namespace Prefix:	qgen_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Syndicated Multi-Currency Term Loan

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Warrant Redeemed or Called During Period, Value

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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Namespace Prefix:	qgen_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Exercise price per share or per unit of warrants or rights outstanding.

+ References

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-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 235
-SubTopic 10
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.4-08.(i)(4))
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=26873400&loc=d3e23780-122690

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Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Number of securities into which the class of warrant or right may be converted. For example, but not limited to, 500,000 warrants may be converted into 1,000,000 shares.

+ References

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-Name Accounting Standards Codification
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-SubTopic 10
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.4-08.(i)(2))
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- Definition

Including the current and noncurrent portions, carrying amount of debt identified as being convertible into another form of financial instrument (typically the entity's common stock) as of the balance sheet date, which originally required full repayment more than twelve months after issuance or greater than the normal operating cycle of the company.

+ References

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-SubTopic 210
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-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02(22))
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+ Details

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Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

The price per share of the conversion feature embedded in the debt instrument.

+ References

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-Name Accounting Standards Codification
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-SubTopic 20
-Section 50
-Paragraph 5
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Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Threshold period of specified consecutive trading days within which common stock price to conversion price of convertible debt instruments must exceed threshold percentage for a specified number of trading days to trigger conversion feature, in 'PnYnMnDTnHnMnS' format, for example, 'P1Y5M13D' represents the reported fact of one year, five months, and thirteen days.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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- Definition

Minimum percentage of common stock price to conversion price of convertible debt instruments to determine eligibility of conversion.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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- Definition

Threshold number of specified trading days that common stock price to conversion price of convertible debt instruments must exceed threshold percentage within a specified consecutive trading period to trigger conversion feature.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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- Definition

Face (par) amount of debt instrument at time of issuance.

+ References

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-SubTopic 30
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+ Details

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Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Effective interest rate for the funds borrowed under the debt agreement considering interest compounding and original issue discount or premium.

+ References

+ Details

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Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Contractual interest rate for funds borrowed, under the debt agreement.

+ References

+ Details

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Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

- 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

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- Definition

Percentage price of original principal amount of debt at which debt can be redeemed by the issuer.

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- Definition

Period of time between issuance and maturity of debt instrument, in PnYnMnDTnHnMnS' format, for example, 'P1Y5M13D' represents the reported fact of one year, five months, and thirteen days.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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- Definition

Amount, before accumulated amortization, of debt issuance costs. Includes, but is not limited to, legal, accounting, underwriting, printing, and registration costs.

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Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Difference between the fair value of payments made and the carrying amount of debt which is extinguished prior to maturity.

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- Definition

Additional shares included in the calculation of diluted EPS as a result of the potentially dilutive effect of convertible debt securities using the if-converted method.

+ References

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-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=64863997&loc=d3e1930-109256

+ Details

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Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Aggregate amount of interest paid or due on all long-term debt.

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-Subparagraph (SX 210.9-04.8)
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+ Details

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Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

The carrying value as of the balance sheet date of the current and noncurrent portions of long-term obligations drawn from a line of credit, which is a bank's commitment to make loans up to a specific amount. Examples of items that might be included in the application of this element may consist of letters of credit, standby letters of credit, and revolving credit arrangements, under which borrowings can be made up to a maximum amount as of any point in time conditional on satisfaction of specified terms before, as of and after the date of drawdowns on the line. Includes short-term obligations that would normally be classified as current liabilities but for which (a) postbalance sheet date issuance of a long term obligation to refinance the short term obligation on a long term basis, or (b) the enterprise has entered into a financing agreement that clearly permits the enterprise to refinance the short-term obligation on a long term basis and the following conditions are met (1) the agreement does not expire within 1 year and is not cancelable by the lender except for violation of an objectively determinable provision, (2) no violation exists at the BS date, and (3) the lender has entered into the financing agreement is expected to be financially capable of honoring the agreement.

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Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Amount of the fee for available but unused credit capacity under the credit facility.

+ References

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Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Maximum borrowing capacity under the credit facility without consideration of any current restrictions on the amount that could be borrowed or the amounts currently outstanding under the facility.

+ References

+ Details

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Period Type:	instant

- Definition

The fair value amount of long-term debt whether such amount is presented as a separate caption or as a parenthetical disclosure. Additionally, this element may be used in connection with the fair value disclosures required in the footnote disclosures to the financial statements. The element may be used in both the balance sheet and disclosure in the same submission.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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- Definition

Weighted average interest rate of long-term debt outstanding.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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- Definition

The cash outflow for derivative instruments during the period, which are classified as financing activities, excluding those designated as hedging instruments.

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- Definition

The cash inflow during the period from additional borrowings in aggregate debt. Includes proceeds from short-term and long-term debt.

+ References

No definition available.

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- Definition

The cash inflow from a debt initially having maturity due after one year or beyond the operating cycle, if longer.

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-Glossary Financing Activities
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- Definition

The cash outflow from the repayment of a long-term debt instrument which can be exchanged for a specified amount of another security, typically the entity's common stock, at the option of the issuer or the holder.

+ References

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-Paragraph 15
-Subparagraph (b)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=66902209&loc=d3e3291-108585

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- Definition

The cash outflow during the period from the repayment of aggregate short-term and long-term debt. Excludes payment of capital lease obligations.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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- Definition

Number of shares issued during the period as a result of the conversion of convertible securities.

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-Name Accounting Standards Codification
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- Definition

The gross value of stock issued during the period upon the conversion of convertible securities.

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- Details

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- Details

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Lines of Credit and Debt (Narrative) (Details)		1 Months Ended					12 Months Ended
Lines of Credit and Debt (Narrative) (Details)	Mar. 19, 2014 USD ($)	Mar. 31, 2014 USD ($) $ / shares shares	Oct. 31, 2012 USD ($) series	Oct. 31, 2012 EUR (€)	May 31, 2006 USD ($) $ / shares shares	Aug. 31, 2004 USD ($) $ / shares shares	Dec. 31, 2016 USD ($) line_of_credit trading_day $ / shares	Dec. 31, 2015 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2014 USD ($) shares	Dec. 31, 2016 EUR (€)	Aug. 31, 2016 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2015 EUR (€)
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Line of credit facility, revolving credit, amount							$ 460,200,000			€ 436,600,000.0
Syndicated multi-currency term loan, amount \| €										€ 400,000,000
Stated interest rate								6.00%				6.00%
Commitment fee calculation basis on applicable margin, percent							35.00%
Commitment fee paid							$ 1,000,000	$ 900,000
Interest expense on long-term debt							35,800,000	34,500,000	$ 36,400,000
Payments for call options							0	0	105,170,000
Proceeds from issuance of warrants									69,400,000
Number of shares called by warrants \| shares		25,800,000.0
Exercise price of warrants (dollars per share) \| $ / shares		$ 32.085
Face amount of debt instrument								2,400,000.0			$ 600,000	€ 2,000,000.0
Number of series of notes issued \| series			3
Gain (loss) on early redemption of debt							$ 0	(7,564,000)	(4,560,000)
Redemption of subscription receivables								112,995,000	67,943,000
Stock value issued conversion of convertible securities									3,900,000
Additional Paid-In Capital
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Redemption of subscription receivables								112,995,000	67,943,000
QIAGEN Euro Finance
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Subscription right, percentage		98.00%
QIAGEN Euro Finance \| Other expense, net
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Gain (loss) on early redemption of debt		$ (4,600,000)
QIAGEN Finance
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Repayments of convertible debt								250,900,000
QIAGEN Finance \| Other expense, net
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Gain (loss) on early redemption of debt								(7,600,000)
Cash convertible notes
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Payments for call options									$ 105,200,000
Convertible Notes 3.25% Due in 2026
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Stock issued conversion of convertible securities (in shares) \| shares									195,079
Convertible Notes 3.25% Due in 2026 \| QIAGEN Euro Finance
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Stated interest rate					3.25%
Convertible debt		300,000,000			$ 300,000,000
Convertible debt, conversion price (dollars per share) \| $ / shares					$ 20.00
Effective interest rate							3.70%			3.70%
Percent of note issued principal value					100.00%
Convertible amount into common shares at the option (shares) \| shares					15,000,000
Notes payable to QIAGEN Finance bearing interest at an effective rate of 1.8% due in February 2024
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Stock issued conversion of convertible securities (in shares) \| shares									1,200,000.0
Notes payable to QIAGEN Finance bearing interest at an effective rate of 1.8% due in February 2024 \| Additional Paid-In Capital
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Redemption of subscription receivables								113,000,000	$ 113,000,000
Notes payable to QIAGEN Finance bearing interest at an effective rate of 1.8% due in February 2024 \| QIAGEN Finance
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Stated interest rate						1.50%
Convertible debt						$ 150,000,000
Convertible debt, conversion price (dollars per share) \| $ / shares						$ 12.6449
Effective interest rate						1.80%
Percent of note issued principal value						100.00%
Convertible amount into common shares at the option (shares) \| shares						11,500,000
Warrant class 1
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Number of shares called by warrants \| shares									15,200,000.0
Threshold trading days expiration									50 days
Warrant class 2
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Number of shares called by warrants \| shares									10,600,000.0
Threshold trading days expiration									50 days
Call option
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Payments for call options									$ 105,200,000
Contingent conversion condition 2
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Threshold percentage of stock price trigger							98.00%
Contingent conversion condition 3
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Consecutive trading days							20 days
Threshold percentage of stock price trigger							25.00%
Cash convertible notes
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Convertible debt	$ 730,000,000
Proceeds from issuance of debt	680,700,000
Repayments of debt		$ 372,500,000
Threshold trading days \| trading_day							20
Threshold business period							5 days
Number of shares used in conversion ratio							7,063.1647
Debt principal amount used in conversion ratio							$ 200,000,000
Convertible debt, conversion price (dollars per share) \| $ / shares							$ 28.32
Cash settlement amount period							50 days
Redemption price percentage							100.00%
Percentage of principal amount outstanding							20.00%
Debt issuance cost	13,100,000
Cash convertible notes \| Contingent conversion condition 1
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Consecutive trading days							30 days
Threshold percentage of stock price trigger							130.00%
Cash convertible notes \| Contingent conversion condition 2
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Consecutive trading days							10 days
2019 notes
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Stated interest rate							0.375%			0.375%
Convertible debt	430,000,000
Term of debt instrument							5 years
Effective interest rate							2.937%			2.937%
Fair value of long-term debt							$ 485,900,000	495,500,000
2021 notes
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Stated interest rate							0.875%			0.875%
Convertible debt	$ 300,000,000
Term of debt instrument							7 years
Effective interest rate							3.809%			3.809%
Fair value of long-term debt							$ 349,600,000	356,100,000
Call spread overlay
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Net cash outlay for call spread overlay									35,800,000
Senior unsecured notes
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Fair value of long-term debt							$ 397,100,000	399,300,000
Face amount of debt instrument			$ 399,910,000
Weighted average interest rate of long-term debt			3.66%
Proceeds from debt			$ 220,000,000	€ 170,000,000
Senior unsecured notes \| Derivative instruments designated as hedges
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Face amount of debt instrument									$ 200,000,000
Senior unsecured notes \| 3.19% Series A Senior Notes due October 16, 2019
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Stated interest rate			3.19%				3.19%			3.19%
Term of debt instrument			7 years	7 years
Face amount of debt instrument			$ 73,000,000
Senior unsecured notes \| 3.75% Series B Senior Notes due October 16, 2022
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Stated interest rate			3.75%				3.75%			3.75%
Term of debt instrument			10 years	10 years
Debt issuance cost			$ 2,100,000
Face amount of debt instrument			$ 300,000,000
Senior unsecured notes \| 3.90% Series C Senior Notes due October 16, 2024
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Stated interest rate			3.90%				3.90%			3.90%
Term of debt instrument			12 years	12 years
Face amount of debt instrument			$ 26,910,000
Four Credit Facilities
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Line of credit facility, revolving credit, amount \| €										€ 36,600,000.0
Number of lines of credit \| line_of_credit							4
Syndicated Multi-Currency Revolving Credit Facility
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Lines of credit							$ 0	$ 0
Option 1
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Loan term period offered							1 month
Option 2
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Loan term period offered							2 months
Option 3
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Loan term period offered							3 months
Option 4
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Loan term period offered							12 months
Minimum
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Stated interest rate							0.40%			0.40%
Maximum
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Stated interest rate							1.20%			1.20%