Compensation - Compensation Expense Related to Restricted Stock Unit Held by BGC Employees (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended	6 Months Ended
Jun. 30, 2020	Jun. 30, 2019	Jun. 30, 2020	Jun. 30, 2019
Compensation Related Costs [Abstract]
RSU amortization	$ 3,273	$ 2,696	$ 4,855	$ 3,710

Share based compensation arrangement by share based payment award restricted stock units amortization.

No definition available.

Name:	bgcp_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardRestrictedStockUnitsAmortization
Namespace Prefix:	bgcp_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration