Compensation - Compensation Expense Related to Restricted Stock Unit Held by BGC Employees (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended	9 Months Ended
Sep. 30, 2020	Sep. 30, 2019	Sep. 30, 2020	Sep. 30, 2019
Compensation Related Costs [Abstract]
RSU amortization	$ 2,785	$ 1,599	$ 7,640	$ 5,309

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