Name:	mtd_PerformanceShareUnitNonvestedNumberofShares
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Data Type:	xbrli:sharesItemType
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Period Type:	instant

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

No definition available.

Name:	mtd_PerformanceShareunitsNonvestedIntrinsicValue
Namespace Prefix:	mtd_
Data Type:	dtr-types:perShareItemType
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Period Type:	instant

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
Namespace Prefix:	mtd_
Data Type:	xbrli:sharesItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

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
Namespace Prefix:	mtd_
Data Type:	xbrli:sharesItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

Share Based Compensation, Performance Shares Adjusted in the Period for Vesting of 2017 PUs

No definition available.

Name:	mtd_ShareBasedCompensationPerformanceSharesVestedInThePeriodForVestingOf2017PUs
Namespace Prefix:	mtd_
Data Type:	xbrli:sharesItemType
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Period Type:	duration

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
Namespace Prefix:	mtd_
Data Type:	xbrli:sharesItemType
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- References

No definition available.

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

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Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:sharesItemType
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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).

Name:	us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsGrantsInPeriod
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:sharesItemType
Balance Type:	na
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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://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 718
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 2
-Subparagraph (c)(2)(i)
-URI https://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=128089324&loc=d3e5070-113901

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 718
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 2
-Subparagraph (c)(2)(ii)
-URI https://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=128089324&loc=d3e5070-113901

Name:	us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsNonvestedIntrinsicValue
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	dtr-types:perShareItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

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://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 718
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 2
-Subparagraph (c)(2)(ii)
-URI https://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=128089324&loc=d3e5070-113901

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 718
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 2
-Subparagraph (c)(2)(i)
-URI https://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=128089324&loc=d3e5070-113901

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Data Type:	xbrli:sharesItemType
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Period Type:	instant

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

No definition available.

Name:	us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsNonvestedRollForward
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
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The number of equity-based payment instruments, excluding stock (or unit) options, that vested during the reporting period.