Pension (Plan Asset Allocation Percentages) (Details)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
U.S. Plans
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Target allocation	100.00%
Percent of plan assets at year end	100.00%	100.00%
U.S. Plans | Equity Securities
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Target allocation	45.00%
Percent of plan assets at year end	44.00%	47.00%
U.S. Plans | Debt Securities
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Target allocation	35.00%
Percent of plan assets at year end	37.00%	33.00%
U.S. Plans | Real Estate
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Target allocation	5.00%
Percent of plan assets at year end	5.00%	5.00%
U.S. Plans | Other
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Target allocation	15.00%
Percent of plan assets at year end	14.00%	15.00%
Libbey Holland Pension Plans, Defined Benefit [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Target allocation	100.00%
Percent of plan assets at year end	100.00%	100.00%
Libbey Holland Pension Plans, Defined Benefit [Member] | Equity Securities
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Target allocation	18.00%
Percent of plan assets at year end	17.00%	19.00%
Libbey Holland Pension Plans, Defined Benefit [Member] | Debt Securities
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Target allocation	68.00%
Percent of plan assets at year end	68.00%	64.00%
Libbey Holland Pension Plans, Defined Benefit [Member] | Real Estate
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Target allocation	9.00%
Percent of plan assets at year end	10.00%	11.00%
Libbey Holland Pension Plans, Defined Benefit [Member] | Other
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Target allocation	5.00%
Percent of plan assets at year end	5.00%	6.00%