Cover Page - shares	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2019	Oct. 24, 2019
Cover page.
Document Type	10-Q
Document Quarterly Report	true
Document Period End Date	Sep. 30, 2019
Document Transition Report	false
Entity File Number	001-14818
Entity Registrant Name	Federated Investors, Inc.
Entity Incorporation, State or Country Code	PA
Entity Tax Identification Number	25-1111467
Entity Address, Address Line One	Federated Investors Tower
Entity Address, City or Town	Pittsburgh,
Entity Address, State or Province	PA
Entity Address, Postal Zip Code	15222-3779
City Area Code	412
Local Phone Number	288-1900
Title of 12(b) Security	Class B common stock, no par value
Trading Symbol	FII
Security Exchange Name	NYSE
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes
Entity Interactive Data Current	Yes
Entity Filer Category	Large Accelerated Filer
Entity Small Business	false
Entity Emerging Growth Company	false
Entity Shell Company	false
Entity Central Index Key	0001056288
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--12-31
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2019
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q3
Amendment Flag	false
Class A
Document Information [Line Items]
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding (in shares)		9,000
Class B
Document Information [Line Items]
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding (in shares)		101,130,281