Document and Entity Information - USD ($) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018	Feb. 20, 2019	Jun. 30, 2018
Document And Entity Information [Abstract]
Document Type	10-K
Amendment Flag	false
Document Period End Date	Dec. 31, 2018
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2018
Document Fiscal Period Focus	FY
Trading Symbol	GLT
Entity Registrant Name	GLATFELTER P H CO
Entity Central Index Key	0000041719
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--12-31
Entity Well-known Seasoned Issuer	No
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes
Entity Voluntary Filers	No
Entity Filer Category	Large Accelerated Filer
Entity Shell Company	false
Entity Small Business	false
Entity Emerging Growth Company	false
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		44,014,253
Entity Public Float			$ 834.8