Summary Quarterly Information (Unaudited) (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Millions	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2019	Sep. 30, 2019	Jun. 30, 2019	Mar. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018	Sep. 30, 2018	Jun. 30, 2018	Mar. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
Quarterly Financial Data [Abstract]
Revenue	$ 9,358.1	$ 9,322.7	$ 9,459.4	$ 8,678.8	$ 9,988.6	$ 10,429.5	$ 10,150.8	$ 9,181.3	$ 36,819.0	$ 39,750.3	$ 33,695.5
Gross profit	286.6	305.7	268.6	251.1	262.2	266.7	246.2	243.4	1,112.0	1,018.5	932.2
Net income including noncontrolling interest	56.8	49.4	37.6	37.3	29.8	38.7	29.2	31.3	181.1	129.0	(170.3)
Net income attributable to World Fuel	$ 56.5	$ 48.2	$ 37.0	$ 37.2	$ 29.6	$ 38.2	$ 28.7	$ 31.2	$ 178.9	$ 127.7	$ (170.2)
Basic earnings per common share (in dollars per share)	$ 0.86	$ 0.74	$ 0.56	$ 0.55	$ 0.44	$ 0.57	$ 0.42	$ 0.46	$ 2.71	$ 1.89	$ (2.50)
Diluted earnings per common share (in dollars per share)	$ 0.86	$ 0.73	$ 0.55	$ 0.55	$ 0.44	$ 0.56	$ 0.42	$ 0.46	$ 2.69	$ 1.89	$ (2.50)