Amount of purchases, (sales), issuances and (settlements) of financial instrument classified as a derivative asset (liability) after deduction of derivative liability (asset), measured using unobservable inputs that reflect the entity's own assumption about the assumptions market participants would use in pricing. Document and Entity Information Statement [Table] Statement [Line Items] Statement Entity Registrant Name Entity Central Index Key Document Type Document Period End Date Amendment Flag Current Fiscal Year End Date Entity Well-known Seasoned Issuer Entity Voluntary Filers Entity Current Reporting Status Entity Filer Category Entity Public Float Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding Document Fiscal Year Focus Document Fiscal Period Focus Consolidated Balance Sheets Assets [Abstract] Assets: Total assets: Assets, Current [Abstract] Current assets: Cash and Cash Equivalents, at Carrying Value Cash and cash equivalents, as of end of period Cash and cash equivalents, as of beginning of period Cash and cash equivalents Accounts Receivable, Net, Current Accounts receivable, net Accounts receivable, net of allowance Inventory, Net Inventories Prepaid Expense, Current Prepaid expenses Derivative Asset, Current Short-term derivative assets, net Other Assets, Current Other current assets Assets, Current Total current assets Property, Plant and Equipment, Net Property and equipment, net Goodwill Balance at the end of the period Balance at the beginning of the period Goodwill 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). Intangible Assets, Net Excluding Goodwill and Other Assets, Noncurrent Identifiable intangible and other non-current assets Assets Total assets Total assets Liabilities [Abstract] Liabilities: Liabilities, Current [Abstract] Current liabilities: Debt, Current Short-term debt Accounts Payable, Current Accounts payable Customer Deposits, Current Customer deposits Accrued Liabilities, Current Accrued expenses and other current liabilities Liabilities, Current Total current liabilities Long-term Debt and Capital Lease Obligations Long-term debt Long term-debt Accrued Income Taxes, Noncurrent Non-current income tax liabilities, net Aggregate carrying value as of the balance sheet date of the liabilities for all deferred compensation arrangements payable beyond one year (or the operating cycle, if longer). Also includes the aggregate carrying amount, as of the balance sheet date, of noncurrent obligations not separately disclosed in the balance sheet due to materiality considerations. Noncurrent liabilities are expected to be paid after one year (or the normal operating cycle, if longer). Deferred Compensation Liability Classified and Other Liabilities, Noncurrent Other long-term liabilities Liabilities Total liabilities Commitments and Contingencies. Commitments and contingencies Stockholders' Equity, Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest [Abstract] Equity: Stockholders' Equity Attributable to Parent [Abstract] World Fuel shareholders' equity: Common Stock, Value, Issued Common stock, $0.01 par value; 100,000 shares authorized, 72,082 and 71,883 shares issued and outstanding as of December 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively Additional Paid in Capital, Common Stock Capital in excess of par value Retained Earnings (Accumulated Deficit) Retained earnings Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax Balance at the end of the period Balance at the beginning of the period Accumulated other comprehensive loss Stockholders' Equity Attributable to Parent Total World Fuel shareholders' equity Stockholders' Equity Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest Noncontrolling interest equity Stockholders' Equity, Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest Balance Balance Total equity Liabilities and Equity Total liabilities and equity Preferred Stock, Par or Stated Value Per Share Preferred stock, par value (in dollars per share) Preferred Stock, Shares Authorized Preferred stock, shares authorized Preferred Stock, Shares Issued Preferred stock, shares issued Common Stock, Par or Stated Value Per Share Common stock, par value (in dollars per share) Common Stock, Shares Authorized Common stock, shares authorized Common Stock, Shares, Issued Balance (in shares) Balance (in shares) Common stock, shares issued Common Stock, Shares, Outstanding Common stock, shares outstanding Consolidated Statements of Income and Comprehensive Income Revenues Revenue Total revenue Cost of Revenue Cost of revenue Gross Profit Gross profit Gross profit Operating Expenses [Abstract] Operating expenses: Labor and Related Expense Compensation and employee benefits Provision for Doubtful Accounts Provision for bad debt General and Administrative Expense General and administrative Operating Expenses Total operating expenses Operating Income (Loss) Income from operations Income from operations Nonoperating Income (Expense) [Abstract] Non-operating income (expenses), net: Represents the amount of interest income and expense, net, which includes other financing costs. Interest Income (Expense) and Other Financial Costs, Net Interest expense and other financing costs, net Interest expense and other financing costs, net Other Nonoperating Income (Expense) Other income (expense), net Nonoperating Income (Expense) Total non-operating income (expenses), net Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations before Equity Method Investments, Income Taxes, Extraordinary Items, Noncontrolling Interest Income before income taxes Income Tax Expense (Benefit) Provision for income taxes Income tax provision Net Income (Loss), Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest Net income including noncontrolling interest Net income including noncontrolling interest Net income Net Income (Loss) Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest Net (loss) income attributable to noncontrolling interest Net Income (Loss) Available to Common Stockholders, Basic Net income attributable to World Fuel Net income attributable to World Fuel Earnings Per Share, Basic Basic earnings per common share (in dollars per share) Weighted Average Number of Shares Outstanding, Basic Basic weighted average common shares (in shares) Weighted average common shares for basic earnings per common share Earnings Per Share, Diluted Diluted earnings per common share (in dollars per share) Weighted Average Number of Shares Outstanding, Diluted Diluted weighted average common shares (in shares) Weighted average common shares for diluted earnings per common share Other Comprehensive Income and Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss Comprehensive income: Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax [Abstract] Other comprehensive income: Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Foreign Currency Transaction and Translation Adjustment, Net of Tax Foreign currency translation adjustments Net foreign currency translation adjustment losses Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Unrealized Gain (Loss) on Derivatives Arising During Period, Net of Tax Cash flow hedges, net of income taxes of $36 for 2013 and 2012, respectively Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax Other comprehensive income (loss) Other comprehensive loss Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax, Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest Comprehensive income including noncontrolling interest Comprehensive (Income) Loss, Net of Tax, Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest Comprehensive (loss) income attributable to noncontrolling interest Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax, Attributable to Parent Comprehensive income attributable to World Fuel Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Unrealized Gain (Loss) on Derivatives Arising During Period, Tax Cash flow hedges, income tax Consolidated Statements of Shareholders' Equity Equity Components [Axis] Equity Component [Domain] Equity Component [Domain] Common Stock [Member] Common Stock Additional Paid In Capital [Member] Capital in Excess of Par Value Retained Earnings [Member] Retained Earnings Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Member] Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss Parent [Member] Total World Fuel Shareholders' Equity Noncontrolling Interest [Member] Noncontrolling Interest Equity Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward] Increase (Decrease) in Shareholders' Equity Dividends, Cash Cash dividends declared Noncontrolling Interest, Increase from Sale of Parent Equity Interest Investment by noncontrolling interest Noncontrolling Interest, Increase from Business Combination Initial noncontrolling interest upon acquisition of joint venture Noncontrolling Interest, Decrease from Distributions to Noncontrolling Interest Holders Distribution of noncontrolling interest Noncontrolling Interest, Decrease from Deconsolidation Deconsolidation of crude oil transloading joint venture Reduction in noncontrolling interest equity Adjustments to Additional Paid in Capital, Share-based Compensation, Requisite Service Period Recognition Amortization of share-based payment awards Stock Issued During Period, Value, Share-based Compensation, Net of Forfeitures Issuance of common stock related to share-based payment awards including income tax benefit of $1,028, $3,301 and $3,681 for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively Stock Issued During Period, Shares, Share-based Compensation, Net of Forfeitures Issuance of common stock related to share-based payment awards (in shares) Purchases of 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 common stock tendered by employees to satisfy the required withholding taxes related to share-based payment awards Number of shares of common stock that relate to the purchase of stock tendered by employees to exercise share-based payment awards and satisfy the required withholding taxes related to share-based payment awards. Share Repurchases Related to Employee Stock Based Compensation Awards, Shares Purchases of common stock tendered by employees to satisfy the required withholding taxes related to share-based payment awards (in shares) Stock Repurchased During Period, Value Purchases of common stock Amount of shares repurchased Stock Repurchased During Period, Shares Purchases of common stock (in shares) Shares repurchased Adjustments to Additional Paid in Capital, Income Tax Benefit from Share-based Compensation Issuance of common stock related to share-based payment awards, income tax benefit Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Operating Activities, Continuing Operations [Abstract] Cash flows from operating activities: Adjustments to Reconcile Net Income (Loss) to Cash Provided by (Used in) Operating Activities [Abstract] Adjustments to reconcile net income including noncontrolling interest to net cash provided by operating activities: Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization, Nonproduction Depreciation and amortization The noncash gain resulting from the sale of joint venture partner's interests. Gain on Sale of Joint Venture Interest Gain on sale of crude oil joint venture interests Gain on sale of crude oil joint venture interests Share-based Compensation Share-based payment award compensation costs Deferred Income Tax Expense (Benefit) Deferred tax provision (benefit) Total deferred income (loss) before income taxes Gains (Losses) on Extinguishment of Debt Extinguishment of liabilities Other Noncash Income (Expense) Other Increase (Decrease) in Operating Capital [Abstract] Changes in assets and liabilities, net of acquisitions: Increase (Decrease) in Accounts Receivable Accounts receivable, net Increase (Decrease) in Inventories Inventories Increase (Decrease) in Prepaid Expense Prepaid expenses Increase (Decrease) in Derivative Assets Short-term derivative assets, net Increase (Decrease) in Other Operating Assets Other current assets Increase (Decrease) Cash Collateral from Counterparties Cash collateral with financial counterparties Increase (Decrease) in Other Noncurrent Assets Other non-current assets Increase (Decrease) in Accounts Payable Accounts payable Increase (Decrease) in Customer Deposits Customer deposits 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. Increase (Decrease) in Accrued Expenses and Other Liabilities Accrued expenses and other current liabilities 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. Increase (Decrease) in Income Tax and Other Liabilities, Noncurrent Non-current income tax, net and other long-term liabilities Adjustments to Reconcile Net Income (Loss) to Cash Provided by (Used in) Operating Activities Total adjustments Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Operating Activities, Continuing Operations Net cash provided by operating activities Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Investing Activities, Continuing Operations [Abstract] Cash flows from investing activities: Payments to acquire businesses, net of cash acquired. Also includes payments for other investments. Payments to Acquire Businesses Net of Cash Acquired and Other Investments Acquisition of businesses, net of cash acquired and other investments Payments to Acquire Property, Plant, and Equipment Capital expenditures Increase (Decrease) in Restricted Cash Escrow payment related to an assumed obligation of an acquired business Escrow payment related to an assumed obligation of an acquired business The cash inflow associated with the sale of joint venture interests. Proceeds from Sale of Joint Venture Interests Proceeds from the sale of crude oil joint venture interests Payments to Acquire Investments Purchase of investments Proceeds from Sale of Short-term Investments Proceeds from the sale of short-term investments Payments to Acquire Notes Receivable Issuances of notes receivable Proceeds from Collection of Notes Receivable Repayment of notes receivable Cash Divested from Deconsolidation Decrease in cash due to deconsolidation of crude oil transloading joint venture Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Investing Activities, Continuing Operations Net cash used in investing activities Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Financing Activities, Continuing Operations [Abstract] Cash flows from financing activities: Proceeds from Issuance of Debt Borrowings of debt Repayments of Debt Repayments of debt Payments of Ordinary Dividends, Common Stock Dividends paid on common stock Proceeds from Noncontrolling Interests Investment by noncontrolling interest Payments of Ordinary Dividends, Noncontrolling Interest Distribution of noncontrolling interest Payments for Repurchase of Common Stock Purchases of common stock Excess Tax Benefit from Share-based Compensation, Financing Activities Federal and state tax benefits resulting from tax deductions in excess of the compensation cost recognized for share-based payment awards Cost of common stock that relate to the purchase of stock tendered by employees to exercise share-based payment awards and satisfy the required withholding taxes related to share-based payment awards. Payments for Repurchase of Common Stock to Satisfy Employee Tax Withholding Obligations Purchases of common stock tendered by employees to satisfy the required withholding taxes related to share-based payment awards Proceeds from (Payments for) Other Financing Activities Other payments Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Financing Activities, Continuing Operations Net cash provided by financing activities Effect of Exchange Rate on Cash and Cash Equivalents, Continuing Operations Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Continuing Operations Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents Supplemental Cash Flow Information [Abstract] Supplemental Disclosures of Cash Flow Information Cash paid during the year for: Interest Paid, Net Interest, net of capitalized interest Income Taxes Paid, Net Income taxes Cash Flow, Noncash Investing and Financing Activities Disclosure [Abstract] Supplemental Schedule of Noncash Investing and Financing Activities Dividends Payable Cash dividends declared, but not yet paid Capital Expenditures Incurred but Not yet Paid Accrued capital expenditures Decrease in Restricted Cash Escrow account utilized for payment of assumed pension exit obligation Restricted Cash and Cash Equivalents Escrow account balance Represents the increase (decrease) in net assets during the period. Increase (Decrease) in Assets Net Reduction in net assets Represents the increase (decrease) in other investments, not otherwise specified in the taxonomy. Increase (Decrease) in Other Investments Increase in other investments Represents portion of equity awards granted that was previously recorded in accrued expenses and other current liabilities. Allocated Share Based Compensation Expense Previously Recorded in Accrued Expenses and Other Current Liabilities Portion of equity awards granted that was previously recorded in accrued expenses and other current liabilities Noncash or Part Noncash Acquisition, Other Liabilities Assumed Current liability and other investments recorded related to contingent consideration The cash outflow to pay a portion or all of a contingent liability. Payment of Contingent Consideration Aggregate amount of contingent consideration paid Fair Value of Assets Acquired Assets acquired, net of cash Liabilities Assumed Liabilities assumed Business Combination, Consideration Transferred, Liabilities Incurred Promissory notes issued for acquisition Less: Promissory notes issued Business Combination, Acquisition of Less than 100 Percent, Noncontrolling Interest, Fair Value Initial noncontrolling interest upon acquisition of businesses Noncontrolling interest upon consolidation of joint venture Nature of Business, Acquisitions, Significant Accounting Policies and Recent Accounting Pronouncements Organization, Consolidation, Basis of Presentation, Business Description and Accounting Policies [Text Block] Nature of Business, Acquisitions, Significant Accounting Policies and Recent Accounting Pronouncements Accounts Receivable Accounts receivable, net: Loans, Notes, Trade and Other Receivables Disclosure [Text Block] Accounts Receivable Derivatives Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities Disclosure [Text Block] Derivatives Property and Equipment Property, Plant and Equipment Disclosure [Text Block] Property and Equipment Goodwill and Identifiable Intangible Assets Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Text Block] Goodwill and Identifiable Intangible Assets Debt Debt Disclosure [Text Block] Debt Commitments and Contingencies Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Text Block] Commitments and Contingencies Shareholders' Equity Stockholders' Equity Note Disclosure [Text Block] Shareholders' Equity Income Taxes Income Tax Disclosure [Text Block] Income Taxes