| Cover | Oct. 08, 2020 |
| Cover [Abstract] | |
| Document Type | 8-K |
| Document Period End Date | Oct. 8, 2020 |
| Entity Registrant Name | GP Strategies Corporation |
| Entity Incorporation, State or Country Code | DE |
| Entity File Number | 1-7234 |
| Entity Tax Identification Number | 52-0845774 |
| Entity Address, Address Line One | 70 Corporate Center |
| Entity Address, Address Line Two | 11000 Broken Land Parkway, Suite 200, |
| Entity Address, City or Town | Columbia |
| Entity Address, State or Province | MD |
| Entity Address, Postal Zip Code | 21044 |
| City Area Code | (443) |
| Local Phone Number | 367-9600 |
| Title of 12(b) Security | Common Stock, par value $0.01 per share |
| Trading Symbol | GPX |
| Security Exchange Name | NYSE |
| Written Communications | false |
| Soliciting Material | false |
| Pre-commencement Tender Offer | false |
| Pre-commencement Issuer Tender Offer | false |
| Entity Emerging Growth Company | false |
| Entity Central Index Key | 0000070415 |
| Amendment Flag | false |
