Other Charges , Net Other Charges, Net (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended	9 Months Ended
Sep. 30, 2019	Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2019	Sep. 30, 2018
Other Income and Expenses [Abstract]
Impact of Adopting ASU 2017-07 ASC 715 Compensation Retirement Benefit	$ (1.2)	$ (1.6)	$ (3.5)	$ (4.7)

The impact of Adopting ASU 2017-7 ASC 715 Compensation-Retirement Benefits in the income statement which reclasses the non-service cost components from selling, general and administrative expense, cost of sales and research and development to other charges (income) beginning in 2018.

No definition available.

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Namespace Prefix:	mtd_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration