Document and Entity Information (USD $)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2012	Jun. 30, 2012
Document and Entity Information [Abstract]
Entity Registrant Name	METTLER TOLEDO INTERNATIONAL INC/
Entity Central Index Key	0001037646
Amendment Flag	false
Document Type	10-Q
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2012
Document Period End Date	Sep. 30, 2012
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q3
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--12-31
Entity Filer Category	Large Accelerated Filer
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes
Entity Voluntary Filers	No
Entity Well-known Seasoned Issuer	Yes
Entity Public Float		$ 4,835,425,789
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding	30,643,832