Loss Per Share (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, shares in Millions, $ in Millions	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2017	Jun. 30, 2016	Jun. 30, 2017	Jun. 30, 2016
Loss Per Share [Abstract]
Net loss	$ (146.3)	$ (4.1)	$ (153.2)	$ (14.0)
Less: Net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests	0.0	(0.2)	0.1	(0.5)
Net Loss Attributable to Gardner Denver Holdings, Inc.	$ (146.3)	$ (3.9)	$ (153.3)	$ (13.5)
Average shares outstanding [Abstract]
Basic (in shares)	176.9	150.5	162.8	149.6
Diluted (in shares)	176.9	150.5	162.8	149.6
Loss per share [Abstract]
Basic (in dollars per share)	$ (0.83)	$ (0.03)	$ (0.94)	$ (0.09)
Diluted (in dollars per share)	$ (0.83)	$ (0.03)	$ (0.94)	$ (0.09)
Stock Options [Member]
Loss Per Share [Abstract]
Antidilutive securities excluded from computation of diluted loss per share (in shares)			12.2