| Cover - shares | 9 Months Ended | |
| Sep. 30, 2022 | Oct. 31, 2022 | |
| Document Type | 10-Q/A | |
| Amendment Flag | false | |
| Document Quarterly Report | true | |
| Document Transition Report | false | |
| Document Period End Date | Sep. 30, 2022 | |
| Document Fiscal Period Focus | Q3 | |
| Document Fiscal Year Focus | 2022 | |
| Current Fiscal Year End Date | --12-31 | |
| Entity File Number | 001-36876 | |
| Entity Registrant Name | BABCOCK & WILCOX ENTERPRISES, INC | |
| Entity Central Index Key | 0001630805 | |
| Entity Tax Identification Number | 47-2783641 | |
| Entity Incorporation, State or Country Code | DE | |
| Entity Address, Address Line One | 1200 East Market Street | |
| Entity Address, Address Line Two | Suite 650 | |
| Entity Address, City or Town | Akron | |
| Entity Address, State or Province | OH | |
| Entity Address, Postal Zip Code | 44305 | |
| City Area Code | 330 | |
| Local Phone Number | 753-4511 | |
| Entity Current Reporting Status | Yes | |
| Entity Interactive Data Current | Yes | |
| Entity Filer Category | Accelerated Filer | |
| Entity Small Business | false | |
| Entity Emerging Growth Company | false | |
| Entity Shell Company | false | |
| Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding | 88,633,634 | |
| Common Stock, $0.01 par value | ||
| Title of 12(b) Security | Common Stock, $0.01 par value | |
| Trading Symbol | BW | |
| Security Exchange Name | NYSE | |
| 8.125% Senior Notes due 2026 | ||
| Title of 12(b) Security | 8.125% Senior Notes due 2026 | |
| Trading Symbol | BWSN | |
| Security Exchange Name | NYSE | |
| 6.50% Senior Notes due 2026 | ||
| Title of 12(b) Security | 6.50% Senior Notes due 2026 | |
| Trading Symbol | BWNB | |
| Security Exchange Name | NYSE | |
| 7.75% Series A Cumulative Perpetual Preferred Stock | ||
| Title of 12(b) Security | 7.75% Series A Cumulative Perpetual Preferred Stock | |
| Trading Symbol | BW PRA | |
| Security Exchange Name | NYSE |
