Position [Axis] Position [Axis] Hedging Designation [Domain] Hedging Designation [Domain] Fair Value Hierarchy and NAV [Domain] Fair Value Hierarchy and NAV [Domain] Net income (loss) attributable to World Fuel Net income attributable to World Fuel Net Income (Loss) Attributable to Parent Entity Emerging Growth Company Entity Emerging Growth Company Schedule of Potential Collateral Requirements for Derivative Liabilities Schedule of Notional Amounts of Outstanding Derivative Positions [Table Text Block] Income Statement Location [Axis] Income Statement Location [Axis] Interest rate contracts Interest Rate Contract [Member] Statistical Measurement [Domain] Statistical Measurement [Domain] Entity Address, Address Line One Entity Address, Address Line One Net Amounts Presented Derivative Liability EMEA EMEA [Member] Revenue from Contract with Customer [Abstract] Revenue from Contract with Customer [Abstract] Capital in excess of par value Additional Paid in Capital, Common Stock Entity Filer Category Entity Filer Category Segments [Axis] Segments [Axis] Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents Cash, Cash Equivalents, Restricted Cash and Restricted Cash Equivalents, Period Increase (Decrease), Including Exchange Rate Effect Schedule of Interest Expense and Other Financing Costs, Net Schedule of Other Nonoperating Income (Expense) [Table Text Block] Amortization of share-based payment awards APIC, Share-based Payment Arrangement, Increase for Cost Recognition Debt, Interest Income, Expense, and Other Finance Costs Debt, Interest Income, Expense And Other Financing Costs [Text Block] Debt, Interest Income, Expense and Other Financing Costs [Text Block] Impact of Derivatives Designated as Fair Value Hedges on the Consolidated Statements of Income and Comprehensive Income Schedule of Fair Value Hedging Instruments, Statements of Financial Performance and Financial Position, Location [Table Text Block] Document Fiscal Year Focus Document Fiscal Year Focus Concentration of credit risk Credit Concentration Risk [Member] Subsequent Event Type [Domain] Subsequent Event Type [Domain] Income from operations: Operating Income (Loss) [Abstract] Long-term debt Long-term debt Long-term Debt and Lease Obligation Cash Collateral Derivative, Collateral, Obligation to Return Cash Weighted average securities which are not included in the calculation of diluted earnings per common share because their impact is anti-dilutive or their performance conditions have not been met (in shares) Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share, Amount Translation adjustments Accounts Receivable, Allowance For Credit Loss, Foreign Currency Translation Accounts Receivable, Allowance For Credit Loss, Foreign Currency Translation Marine Marine segment Marine Segment [Member] Represents the information related to the Marine segment. Business Combination and Asset Acquisition [Abstract] Business Acquisition [Axis] Business Acquisition [Axis] Income Tax Authority, Name [Axis] Income Tax Authority, Name [Axis] Identifiable intangible and other non-current assets Intangible Assets, Net Excluding Goodwill and Other Assets, Noncurrent Represents the carrying amounts of all intangible assets, excluding goodwill, as of the balance sheet date, net of accumulated amortization and impairment charges and noncurrent assets not separately disclosed in the balance sheet. Noncurrent assets are expected to be realized or consumed after one year (or the normal operating cycle, if longer). Assets: Total assets: Assets [Abstract] Nonrecurring Fair Value Measurements Fair Value, Nonrecurring [Member] Derivative Instruments Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities Disclosure [Text Block] Preferred stock, $1.00 par value; 0.1 shares authorized, none issued Preferred Stock, Value, Issued Cash dividends declared Cash dividends declared Dividends, Cash Effective income tax rate reconciliation, expense (benefit) from disposition of business amount Effective Income Tax Rate Reconciliation, Disposition of Business, Amount Entity Address, City or Town Entity Address, City or Town Currency [Axis] Currency [Axis] Retained Earnings Retained Earnings [Member] Debt Instrument [Axis] Debt Instrument [Axis] Commitments and Contingencies Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Text Block] Adjustment for discrete tax expense (benefit), prior year foreign tax return Effective Income Tax Rate Reconciliation, Prior Year Income Taxes, Amount Cash surrender value of life insurance Cash Surrender Value [Member] Accounts receivable, net Increase (Decrease) in Accounts Receivable Non-current income tax, net and other long-term liabilities Increase (Decrease) in Income Tax and Other Liabilities, Noncurrent The net change during the reporting period in amount due for income taxes and other long-term liabilities not separately disclosed in the balance sheet. Other Other Debt [Member] Other Debt [Member] Gross Amounts without Right of Offset Derivative Liability, Not Subject to Master Netting Arrangement Deduction Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities Disclosure [Abstract] Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities Disclosure [Abstract] Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract] Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract] Comprehensive income (loss) including noncontrolling interest Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax, Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest Schedule of Segment Reporting Information, by Segment [Table] Schedule of Segment Reporting Information, by Segment [Table] Other current assets Increase (Decrease) in Other Current Assets Tax Period [Domain] Tax Period [Domain] Entity Interactive Data Current Entity Interactive Data Current Basic earnings (loss) per common share (in dollars per share) Earnings Per Share, Basic Revenue from Contracts with Customers Revenue from Contract with Customer [Text Block] Document Type Document Type Prepaid expenses Prepaid Expense, Current Revenue Disaggregated by Major Geographic Areas Disaggregation of Revenue [Table Text Block] Universal Weather and Aviation, Inc. Universal Weather And Aviation, Inc. [Member] Universal Weather And Aviation, Inc. [Member] Entity Current Reporting Status Entity Current Reporting Status Cumulative effect of change in accounting principle Cumulative Effect, Period of Adoption, Adjustment [Member] Other Other Noncash Income (Expense) Gross Derivative Assets Gross derivative assets Gross Amounts Recognized Derivative Asset, Fair Value, Gross Asset Recoveries of credit losses Accounts Receivable, Allowance for Credit Loss, Recovery Schedule of Revenue, Gross Profit and Income from Operations by Segment Reconciliation Of Revenue, Gross Profit, Income From Operations, Depreciation And Amortization And Capital Expenditures By Segment To Consolidated [Table Text Block] Tabular disclosure of revenue, gross profit, income from operations, depreciation and amortization and capital expenditures for each reportable segment. Business combination consideration transferred Business Combination, Consideration Transferred Provision for credit losses Charges to allowance for credit losses Accounts Receivable, Credit Loss Expense (Reversal) Offsetting Assets [Line Items] Offsetting Assets [Line Items] Current maturities of long-term debt Less: Current maturities of long-term debt and finance leases Long-term Debt and Lease Obligation, Current Assets: Assets, Fair Value Disclosure [Abstract] Long-term debt Long-term Debt Total assets at fair value Assets, Fair Value Disclosure Level 1 Inputs Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member] Foreign currency (gains) losses, net Foreign Currency Transaction Gain (Loss), Unrealized Document Transition Report Document Transition Report Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract] Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract] Carrying Amount of Hedged Assets/(Liabilities) Hedged Asset, Fair Value Hedge Total liabilities and equity Liabilities and Equity Cash flow hedges, net of income tax benefit of $2.9 and $7.2 for the three months ended June 30, 2021 and 2020, respectively, and net of income tax expense of $2.7 and $0.2 for the six months ended June 30, 2021 and 2020, respectively Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Cash Flow Hedge, Gain (Loss), after Reclassification and Tax Net Amounts Derivative Liability, Fair Value, Offset Against Collateral, Net of Not Subject to Master Netting Arrangement, Policy Election Offsetting Liabilities [Table] Offsetting Liabilities [Table] Schedule of Income Tax Provision and the Respective Effective Income Tax Rates Schedule of Income Tax Expense (Benefit) and Effective Income Tax Rate [Table Text Block] Tabular disclosure of the components of income tax expense and effective income tax rate attributable to continuing operations. Concentration Risk [Line Items] Concentration Risk [Line Items] Total amount of income and expense line items excluding the impact of hedges, Revenue Revenue, Excluding Impact Of Hedges Revenue, Excluding Impact Of Hedges Accounts payable Increase (Decrease) in Accounts Payable Derivative [Line Items] Derivative [Line Items] Restructuring Reserve [Roll Forward] Restructuring Reserve [Roll Forward] Offsetting Assets [Table] Offsetting Assets [Table] Cash flows from operating activities: Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Operating Activities, Continuing Operations [Abstract] Earnings per Common Share Earnings Per Share [Text Block] Operating expenses: Operating Expenses [Abstract] Minimum Minimum [Member] Schedule of Accounts Receivable, Net and Total Assets by Segment Reconciliation of Assets from Segment to Consolidated [Table Text Block] Gross profit Gross profit Gross Profit Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents Effect of Exchange Rate on Cash, Cash Equivalents, Restricted Cash and Restricted Cash Equivalents Balance Sheet Location [Domain] Balance Sheet Location [Domain] Total liabilities at fair value Financial and Nonfinancial Liabilities, Fair Value Disclosure Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interest Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax, Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest Income (loss) before income taxes Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations before Equity Method Investments, Income Taxes, Noncontrolling Interest Preferred stock, shares authorized (in shares) Preferred Stock, Shares Authorized Income Tax Authority [Domain] Income Tax Authority [Domain] Amount excluded from effectiveness testing recognized in earnings based on amortization approach Gain (Loss) from Components Excluded from Assessment of Fair Value Hedge Effectiveness, Net Short-term derivative assets, net Derivative Asset, Current Cumulative Effect, Period of Adoption [Axis] Cumulative Effect, Period of Adoption [Axis] Beginning balance Ending balance Restructuring Reserve Trading Symbol Trading Symbol Current liabilities: Liabilities, Current [Abstract] General and administrative General and Administrative Expense Acquisition of business, net of cash acquired Payments to Acquire Businesses, Net of Cash Acquired Term loans Senior Notes [Member] Level 3 Inputs Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member] Dividends paid on common stock Dividends paid on common stock Payments of Ordinary Dividends, Common Stock Gross profit: Gross Profit [Abstract] Accounting Policies [Abstract] Accounting Policies [Abstract] Assessment Tax Authority Assessment [Member] Tax Authority Assessment [Member] 2015 Tax Year Tax Year 2015 [Member] Derivative Instrument [Axis] Derivative Instrument [Axis] Number of reportable operating business segments Number of Reportable Segments Common stock, $0.01 par value; 100.0 shares authorized, 63.3 and 62.9 issued and outstanding as of June 30, 2021 and December 31, 2020, respectively Common Stock, Value, Issued Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items] Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items] Total non-operating income (expense), net Nonoperating Income (Expense) Commitments and contingencies Commitments and Contingencies Accumulated other comprehensive loss Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax Schedule of Derivative Instruments at Fair Value and Their Locations on the Balance Sheets Fair Value, by Balance Sheet Grouping [Table Text Block] Allowance for credit losses Allowance for credit losses Accounts Receivable, Allowance for Credit Loss, Current Non-current income tax liabilities, net Accrued Income Taxes, Noncurrent 2014 Tax Year Tax Year 2014 [Member] Income Taxes [Line Items] Income Taxes [Line Items] [Line Items] for Income Taxes [Table] Receivables [Abstract] Receivables [Abstract] Borrowings of debt Proceeds from Issuance of Debt Short Short [Member] Derivative instruments, income tax expense (benefit) Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Cash Flow Hedge, Gain (Loss), after Reclassification, Tax Deferred future payment from sale of business Disposal Group, Including Discontinued Operation, Contingent Consideration Disposal Group, Including Discontinued Operation, Contingent Consideration Document Period End Date Document Period End Date Customer deposits Increase (Decrease) In Contract With Customer, Refund Liability Increase (Decrease) In Contract With Customer, Refund Liability Entity Registrant Name Entity Registrant Name Gains (losses) on fair value hedge relationships: Effect of Fair Value Hedges on Results of Operations [Abstract] Income Tax Authority [Axis] Income Tax Authority [Axis] 2013 Tax Year Tax Year 2013 [Member] Comprehensive income: Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax, Attributable to Parent [Abstract] Financial Instrument [Axis] Financial Instrument [Axis] Cash dividends declared (in dollars per share) Common Stock, Dividends, Per Share, Declared Accrued expenses and other current liabilities Accrued Liabilities, Current Revenue, ASC 606 Revenue from Contract with Customer, Excluding Assessed Tax Accounts Receivable Loans, Notes, Trade and Other Receivables Disclosure [Text Block] Other revenues (excluded from ASC 606) Revenue Not from Contract with Customer Prepaid expenses Increase (Decrease) in Prepaid Expense Consolidation Items [Domain] Consolidation Items [Domain] Fair Value Hierarchy and NAV [Axis] Fair Value Hierarchy and NAV [Axis] Paid during the period Payments for Restructuring Interest income Investment Income, Interest Common Stock Common Stock [Member] Variable Rate [Axis] Variable Rate [Axis] Business Segments Segment Reporting Disclosure [Text Block] Income from operations Income from operations Operating Income (Loss) Term loans Term Loans [Member] Term Loans [Member] Total debt Long-term Debt and Lease Obligation, Including Current Maturities Basis of Presentation, New Accounting Standards, and Significant Accounting Policies Organization, Consolidation, Basis of Presentation, Business Description and Accounting Policies [Text Block] Hedging Designation [Axis] Hedging Designation [Axis] Increase (Decrease) in Shareholders' Equity Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward] Share-based payment award compensation costs Share-based Payment Arrangement, Noncash Expense Restructuring Restructuring and Related Activities Disclosure [Text Block] Variable Rate [Domain] Variable Rate [Domain] Short-term derivative assets, net Increase (Decrease) in Derivative Assets Capital in Excess of Par Value Additional Paid-in Capital [Member] Cash and cash equivalents Cash and Cash Equivalents, at Carrying Value Repayments of debt Repayments of Debt Cash dividends paid (in dollars per share) Common Stock, Dividends, Per Share, Cash Paid Long-term Debt, Type [Domain] Long-term Debt, Type [Domain] Asset impairments Asset Impairment Charges Effective income tax rate reconciliation, expense (benefit) from change in tax rate of foreign jurisdiction Effective Income Tax Rate Reconciliation, Change in Enacted Tax Rate, Amount Other income (expense), net Other Nonoperating Income (Expense) Other investing activities, net Payments for (Proceeds from) Other Investing Activities Capital expenditures Payments to Acquire Property, Plant, and Equipment Maximum additional potential collateral requirements Additional Collateral, Aggregate Fair Value Maximum Maximum [Member] Loss Contingency, Nature [Domain] Loss Contingency, Nature [Domain] Total liabilities Liabilities Decrease in foreign income tax Income Tax Concession, Impact On Foreign Income Tax Expense (Benefit) Income Tax Concession, Impact On Foreign Income Tax Expense (Benefit) Consolidation Items [Axis] Consolidation Items [Axis] Total World Fuel shareholders' equity Stockholders' Equity Attributable to Parent Additional restructuring charges to be incurred Restructuring and Related Cost, Expected Cost Remaining Common stock, shares issued (in shares) Beginning balance (in shares) Ending balance (in shares) Common Stock, Shares, Issued Preferred stock, shares issued (in shares) Preferred Stock, Shares Issued Allowance for credit losses Beginning balance Ending balance Accounts and Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Loss Derivatives designated as hedging instruments Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member] Purchases of common stock tendered by employees to satisfy the required withholding taxes related to share-based payment awards Share Repurchases Related to Employee Stock Based Compensation Awards, Value Purchases of stock tendered by employees to satisfy the required withholding taxes related to share-based payment awards. Repurchases of common stock Payments for Repurchase of Common Stock World Fuel shareholders' equity: Stockholders' Equity Attributable to Parent [Abstract] Income Tax Authority, Name [Domain] Income Tax Authority, Name [Domain] Balance Sheet Location [Axis] Balance Sheet Location [Axis] Measurement Frequency [Domain] Measurement Frequency [Domain] Interest expense and other financing costs Interest Expense Receivable, basis spread on variable rate Trade Receivable Discount Margin, Basis Spread On Variable Rate Trade Receivable Discount Margin, Basis Spread On Variable Rate Accrued expenses and other current liabilities Increase (Decrease) in Accrued Expenses and Other Liabilities The net change during the reporting period in Accrued expenses and other current liabilities not separately disclosed in the balance sheet due to materiality considerations. Loss Contingency Nature [Axis] Loss Contingency Nature [Axis] City Area Code City Area Code Retained earnings Retained Earnings (Accumulated Deficit) Operating Segments Operating Segments [Member] Information about derivative instruments measured at fair value and their locations on the consolidated balance sheet Derivative instruments, at their respective fair value positions Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items] Statement of Stockholders' Equity [Abstract] Statement of Stockholders' Equity [Abstract] Interest expense and other financing costs, net Interest Expense And Other Financing Costs [Member] Interest Expense And Other Financing Costs [Member] Finance leases Finance Lease, Liability Business Acquisition [Line Items] Business Acquisition [Line Items] Location and Amount of Gains (Losses) on Fair Value and Cash Flow Hedges Recognized in Income Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Table Text Block] Income Statement [Abstract] Income Statement [Abstract] Amendment Flag Amendment Flag Concentration Risk [Table] Concentration Risk [Table] Tax Authority, South Korea (SRTO) Tax Authority, South Korea (SRTO) [Member] Tax Authority, South Korea (SRTO) [Member] Offsetting Liabilities [Line Items] Offsetting Liabilities [Line Items] Effective income tax rate reconciliation, expense (benefit) from other adjustments, amount Effective Income Tax Rate Reconciliation, Other Adjustments, Amount Provision for income taxes Income tax provision Provision for income taxes Income Tax Expense (Benefit) Total equity Beginning balance Ending balance Stockholders' Equity, Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest Total amount of income and expense line items excluding the impact of hedges, Cost of Revenue Cost Of Revenue, Excluding Hedging Impact Of Hedges Cost Of Revenue, Excluding Hedging Impact Of Hedges Accounts receivable, net of allowance for credit losses of $36.1 million and $53.8 million as of June 30, 2021 and December 31, 2020, respectively Accounts receivable Accounts Receivable, after Allowance for Credit Loss, Current Asia Pacific Asia Pacific [Member] Equity Components [Axis] Equity Components [Axis] Pre-assessment notice, amount Income Tax Examination, Penalties Expense Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract] Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract] Total current assets Assets, Current Disaggregation of Revenue [Table] Disaggregation of Revenue [Table] Concentration Risk Type [Domain] Concentration Risk Type [Domain] Derivatives designated as hedging instruments Change in Unrealized Gain (Loss) on Fair Value Hedging Instruments Inventories Inventory, Net Amount of gain (loss) reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income into Income Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Cash Flow Hedge, Gain (Loss), Reclassification, after Tax Entity File Number Entity File Number Purchases of common stock Stock Repurchased During Period, Value Assets and liabilities measured at estimated fair value on a recurring basis Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items] Statement of Financial Position [Abstract] Statement of Financial Position [Abstract] Total adjustments Adjustments to Reconcile Net Income (Loss) to Cash Provided by (Used in) Operating Activities Cash flows from financing activities: Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Financing Activities, Continuing Operations [Abstract] Entity Incorporation, State or Country Code Entity Incorporation, State or Country Code Gain (loss) on derivative Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items] Accounts Receivable, Allowance for Credit Loss [Roll Forward] Accounts Receivable, Allowance for Credit Loss [Roll Forward] Entity Small Business Entity Small Business Preferred stock, par value (in dollars per share) Preferred Stock, Par or Stated Value Per Share Equity Component [Domain] Equity Component [Domain] Issuance (cancellation) of common stock related to share-based payment awards (in shares) Shares Issued, Shares, Share-based Payment Arrangement, after Forfeiture Other Stockholders' Equity, Other Purchases of common stock (in shares) Stock Repurchased During Period, Shares Foreign currency translation adjustments Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Foreign Currency Transaction and Translation Adjustment, Net of Tax Deferred income tax expense (benefit) Deferred Income Tax Expense (Benefit), Excluding Valuation Allowance Deferred Tax Asset Change In Amount Deferred Income Tax Expense (Benefit), Excluding Valuation Allowance Deferred Tax Asset Change In Amount Schedule of Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Table] Schedule of Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Table] Sale price of receivables, percentage of sold amount Trade Receivables Held-For-Sale, Sale Price, Percentage Of Sold Amount Trade Receivables Held-For-Sale, Sale Price, Percentage Of Sold Amount Statement [Line Items] Statement [Line Items] Amount of gain (loss) recognized in accumulated other comprehensive income Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Cash Flow Hedge, Gain (Loss), before Reclassification, after Tax Property and equipment, net Property, Plant, and Equipment and Finance Lease Right-of-Use Asset, after Accumulated Depreciation and Amortization Basic earnings per common share (in dollars per share) Income Tax Concession, Impact On Earnings Per Share, Basic Income Tax Concession, Impact On Earnings Per Share, Basic Issuance (cancellation) of common stock related to share-based payment awards Shares Issued, Value, Share-based Payment Arrangement, after Forfeiture Liabilities: Liabilities [Abstract] Counterparty Name [Domain] Counterparty Name [Domain] Entity Address, State or Province Entity Address, State or Province Tax Period [Axis] Tax Period [Axis] Level 2 Inputs Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member] Corporate overhead - unallocated Corporate Corporate, Non-Segment [Member] Derivative Instruments - Non-designated Derivative, Gain (Loss) on Derivative, Net Segment Reporting [Abstract] Segment Reporting [Abstract] Diluted earnings per common share (in dollars per share) Income Tax Concession, Impact On Earnings Per Share, Diluted Income Tax Concession, Impact On Earnings Per Share, Diluted Commodity contracts Commodity Contract [Member] Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items] Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items] Use of Estimates Use of Estimates, Policy [Policy Text Block] Summary of Basic and Diluted Earnings per Common Share Schedule of Earnings Per Share, Basic and Diluted [Table Text Block] Entity Shell Company Entity Shell Company Schedule of Business Acquisitions, by Acquisition [Table] Schedule of Business Acquisitions, by Acquisition [Table] Local Phone Number Local Phone Number Amount scheduled to be reclassified over the next twelve months Cash Flow Hedge Gain (Loss) to be Reclassified within Twelve Months Total assets Total assets Assets Common stock, shares authorized (in shares) Common Stock, Shares Authorized Interest expense and other financing costs, net Interest income (expense) and other financing costs, net Interest Income (Expense) and Other Financial Costs, Net Represents the amount of interest income and expense, net, which includes other financing costs. Identifiable intangible and other non-current assets Identifiable Intangible And Other Non Current Assets [Member] Primary financial statement caption encompassing identifiable intangible and other noncurrent assets. Numerator: Net Income (Loss) Attributable to Parent [Abstract] Geographical [Domain] Geographical [Domain] Noncontrolling Interest Equity Noncontrolling Interest [Member] Depreciation and amortization Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization, Nonproduction Derivative Contract [Domain] Derivative Contract [Domain] Net Amounts Derivative Asset, Fair Value, Offset Against Collateral, Net of Not Subject to Master Netting Arrangement, Policy Election Net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interest Net Income (Loss) Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest Cumulative Amount of Fair Value Hedging Adjustment Included in the Carrying Amount of the Hedged Asset/(Liabilities) Hedged Asset, Fair Value Hedge, Cumulative Increase (Decrease) Customer deposits Contract with Customer, Refund Liability, Current Cumulative Effect, Period of Adoption [Domain] Cumulative Effect, Period of Adoption [Domain] All Currencies [Domain] All Currencies [Domain] Measurement Frequency [Axis] Measurement Frequency [Axis] Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Operating Activities Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items] Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items] Federal, State and Municipal Tax Authorities in Brazil State And Municipal Tax Authorities And Secretariat Of The Federal Revenue Bureau Of Brazil [Member] State And Municipal Tax Authorities And Secretariat Of The Federal Revenue Bureau Of Brazil [Member] Land Land segment Land Segment [Member] Represents the information related to the Land segment. Schedule of Debt Schedule of Debt [Table Text Block] Fair Value, Recurring and Nonrecurring [Table] Fair Value, Recurring and Nonrecurring [Table] Schedule of Long-term Debt Instruments [Table] Schedule of Long-term Debt Instruments [Table] Entity Tax Identification Number Entity Tax Identification Number Geographical [Axis] Geographical [Axis] Fair Values Derivatives, Balance Sheet Location, by Derivative Contract Type [Table] Fair Values Derivatives, Balance Sheet Location, by Derivative Contract Type [Table] Diluted earnings (loss) per common share (in dollars per share) Earnings Per Share, Diluted Basic weighted average common shares (in shares) Weighted average common shares for basic earnings per common share (in shares) Weighted Average Number of Shares Outstanding, Basic Segments [Domain] Segments [Domain] Effect of dilutive securities (in shares) Weighted Average Number Diluted Shares Outstanding Adjustment Revenue Sales [Member] Impact of Derivatives Designated as Hedges on the Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income and Consolidated Statements of Income and Comprehensive Income Schedule of Cash Flow Hedging Instruments, Statements of Financial Performance and Financial Position, Location [Table Text Block] Acquisitions Mergers, Acquisitions and Dispositions Disclosures [Text Block] Accounting Standards Update [Extensible List] Accounting Standards Update [Extensible Enumeration] Cash Collateral Derivative, Collateral, Right to Reclaim Cash Schedule of Restructuring and Related Costs [Table] Schedule of Restructuring and Related Costs [Table] Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to World Fuel Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax, Attributable to Parent Cost of revenue Cost of Revenue Income Taxes [Table] Income Taxes [Table] Income Taxes [Table] Gain (loss) not recorded in accumulated other comprehensive income due to intra-period settlement Derivative, Gain (Loss) on Derivative, Not Recorded In Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) Due To Intra-Period Settlement, After Tax Derivative, Gain (Loss) on Derivative, Not Recorded In Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) Due To Intra-Period Settlement, After Tax Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Financing Activities Other comprehensive income (loss): Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax [Abstract] Denominator: Weighted Average Number of Shares Outstanding, Diluted [Abstract] Other long-term liabilities Other Noncurrent Liabilities [Member] Collateral posted and held by our counterparties Collateral posted and held by our counterparties Collateral Already Posted, Aggregate Fair Value Business Acquisition, Acquiree [Domain] Business Acquisition, Acquiree [Domain] Fair Value Measurements Fair Value Disclosures [Text Block] Total amount of income and expense line items excluding the impact of hedges, Interest expense and other financing costs Interest Expense And Other Financing Costs, Excluding Hedging Impact Of Hedges Interest Expense And Other Financing Costs, Excluding Hedging Impact Of Hedges Restructuring charges Restructuring costs Restructuring Charges Accounts payable Accounts Payable, Current Concentration Risk Type [Axis] Concentration Risk Type [Axis] Total World Fuel Shareholders' Equity Parent [Member] Schedule of Assets and Liabilities Measured at Estimated Fair Value on a Recurring Basis Schedule of Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring Basis [Table Text Block] Foreign Tax Authority Foreign Tax Authority [Member] Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss AOCI Attributable to Parent [Member] Percent accounts receivable outstanding, less than 60 days Accounts Receivable, Balance Outstanding Less Than 60 Days, Percent Accounts Receivable, Balance Outstanding Less Than 60 Days, Percent Inventories Increase (Decrease) in Inventories Aviation Aviation segment Aviation Segment [Member] Represents the information related to the Aviation segment. Summary of Restructuring Activities Included in Accrued Expenses Other Current Liabilities Restructuring and Related Costs [Table Text Block] Cash dividends declared, but not yet paid Dividends Payable Common stock, shares outstanding (in shares) Common Stock, Shares, Outstanding Financial Instruments [Domain] Financial Instruments [Domain] Derivative [Table] Derivative [Table] Long Long [Member] Revenue: Revenues [Abstract] Restructuring and Related Activities [Abstract] Restructuring and Related Activities [Abstract] Account receivable sold under the RPAs Trade Receivables Held-for-sale, Reconciliation to Cash Flow, Deductions from Held-for-sale Concentration Risk Benchmark [Domain] Concentration Risk Benchmark [Domain] Cash flows from investing activities: Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Investing Activities, Continuing Operations [Abstract] Income Statement Location [Domain] Income Statement Location [Domain] Equity: Stockholders' Equity, Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest [Abstract] Cash surrender value of life insurance Investments, Fair Value Disclosure Notional value of commodity contracts (in barrels) Derivative, Nonmonetary Notional Amount, Volume Cash collateral with counterparties Increase (Decrease) Cash Collateral from Counterparties Loss Contingencies [Line Items] Loss Contingencies [Line Items] Accounts receivable, net: Accounts Receivable, after Allowance for Credit Loss [Abstract] Total operating expenses Operating Expenses Other long-term liabilities Other Liabilities, Noncurrent Gross Amounts Offset Derivative Asset, Fair Value, Gross Liability Debt Instrument [Line Items] Debt Instrument [Line Items] Earnings Per Share [Abstract] Earnings Per Share [Abstract] Net Amounts Presented Derivative Asset Largest counterparty Largest Counterparty [Member] Largest Counterparty [Member] Document Quarterly Report Document Quarterly Report Revenue Total revenue Revenues Danish Tax Authority Danish Tax Authority [Member] Danish Tax Authority [Member] Gross Amounts Offset Derivative Liability, Fair Value, Gross Asset Foreign currency contracts Foreign currency exchange contracts Foreign Exchange Contract [Member] Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding Estimated tax Income Tax Examination, Estimate of Possible Loss Liabilities: Liabilities, Fair Value Disclosure [Abstract] Document Fiscal Period Focus Document Fiscal Period Focus Effective income tax rate Effective income tax rate Effective Income Tax Rate Reconciliation, Percent Debt, Interest Income, Expense and Other Finance Costs [Abstract] Debt, Interest Income, Expense and Other Finance Costs [Abstract] Debt, Interest Income, Expense and Other Finance Costs [Abstract] Estimate of possible loss Loss Contingency, Estimate of Possible Loss Compensation and employee benefits Labor and Related Expense Net income (loss) including noncontrolling interest Net income (loss) including noncontrolling interest Net income (loss) Net income (loss) including noncontrolling interest Net Income (Loss), Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest Fees and financing costs under the RPA Fees And Interest Paid Under Receivables Purchase Agreements Fees And Interest Paid Under Receivables Purchase Agreements Counterparty Name [Axis] Counterparty Name [Axis] Cash and cash equivalents, as of the beginning of the period Cash and cash equivalents, as of the end of the period Cash, Cash Equivalents, Restricted Cash and Restricted Cash Equivalents Total credit risk Credit Derivative, Maximum Exposure, Undiscounted Schedule of Fair Value Positions of Derivative Instruments Schedule of Derivative Instruments [Table Text Block] Credit exposure Credit Exposure [Member] Credit Exposure [Member] Common stock, par value (in dollars per share) Common Stock, Par or Stated Value Per Share Current assets: Assets, Current [Abstract] Other financing activities, net Proceeds from (Payments for) Other Financing Activities Entity Central Index Key Entity Central Index Key London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR) London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR) [Member] Security Exchange Name Security Exchange Name Short-term derivative assets, net Short Term Derivative Assets Net [Member] Primary financial statement caption encompassing other current assets. 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Summary of Accounts Receivable, Allowance for Expected Credit Losses Accounts Receivable, Allowance for Credit Loss [Table Text Block] Net derivative liability positions with credit contingent features Derivative, Net Liability Position, Aggregate Fair Value Accounting Standards Update 2016-13 [Member]