| Component: (Network and Table) | |
|---|---|
| Network | 2407405 - Disclosure - Employee Benefit Plans - Schedule of Actuarial Assumptions (Details) (http://www.badgermeter.com/role/EmployeeBenefitPlansScheduleOfActuarialAssumptionsDetails) |
| Table | Defined Benefit Plans and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans Disclosures [Table] |
| Reporting Entity [Axis] | 0000009092 (http://www.sec.gov/CIK) |
| Defined Benefit Plans and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans [Axis] | Pension plans |
| Defined Benefit Plans and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans | Period [Axis] | ||
|---|---|---|---|
2016-01-01 - 2016-12-31 | 2015-01-01 - 2015-12-31 | 2014-01-01 - 2014-12-31 | |
Net periodic pension cost, Discount rate (as a percent) | |||
Expected long-term return on plan assets (as a percent) | |||
Benefit obligation, Discount rate (as a percent) | |||