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Per share weighted average intrinsic value of equity-based compensation awards not vested. Excludes stock and unit options.

No definition available.

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The number of grants made during the period on other than stock (or unit) option plans (for example, phantom stock or unit plan, stock or unit appreciation rights plan, performance target plan) that have a market condition.

No definition available.

Name:	mtd_PerformanceStockUnitsGrantsinPeriod
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The number of performanmce based equity-based payment instruments, excluding stock (or unit) options, that were forfeited during the reporting period.

No definition available.

Name:	mtd_ShareBasedCompensationPerformanceSharesForfeitedintheperiod
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Data Type:	xbrli:sharesItemType
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Share Based Compensation, Performance Shares Adjusted in the Period for Vesting of 2016 PUs

No definition available.

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Data Type:	xbrli:sharesItemType
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The number of performance based equity-based payment instruments, excluding stock (or unit) options, that vested during the reporting period.

No definition available.

Name:	mtd_ShareBasedCompensationPerformanceSharesVestedinthePeriod
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- References

No definition available.

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The number of equity-based payment instruments, excluding stock (or unit) options, that were forfeited during the reporting period.

Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 718
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 2
-Subparagraph (c)(1)(iv)(3)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=120381028&loc=d3e5070-113901

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The number of grants made during the period on other than stock (or unit) option plans (for example, phantom stock or unit plan, stock or unit appreciation rights plan, performance target plan).

Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 718
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 2
-Subparagraph (c)(2)(iii)(1)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=120381028&loc=d3e5070-113901

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Per share or unit weighted-average intrinsic value of nonvested award under share-based payment arrangement. Excludes share and unit options.

Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 718
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 2
-Subparagraph (c)(2)(i)-(ii)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=120381028&loc=d3e5070-113901

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The number of non-vested equity-based payment instruments, excluding stock (or unit) options, that validly exist and are outstanding as of the balance sheet date.

Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 718
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 2
-Subparagraph (c)(2)(i)-(ii)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=120381028&loc=d3e5070-113901

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A roll forward is a reconciliation of a concept from the beginning of a period to the end of a period.

No definition available.

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The number of equity-based payment instruments, excluding stock (or unit) options, that vested during the reporting period.

Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 718
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 2
-Subparagraph (c)(2)(iii)(2)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=120381028&loc=d3e5070-113901