Name:	mtd_PerformanceShareUnitNonvestedNumberofShares
Namespace Prefix:	mtd_
Data Type:	xbrli:sharesItemType
Balance Type:	na
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-types1:perShareItemType
Balance Type:	na
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
Balance Type:	na
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
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- References

No definition available.

Name:	us-gaap_DisclosureOfCompensationRelatedCostsSharebasedPaymentsAbstract
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

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

Name:	us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsForfeitedInPeriod
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:sharesItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

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
Period Type:	duration

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
-Topic 718
-SubTopic 10
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Section 50
-Paragraph 2
-Subparagraph (c)(2)(i)
-Publisher FASB
-URI https://asc.fasb.org//1943274/2147480429/718-10-50-2

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef
-Topic 718
-SubTopic 10
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Section 50
-Paragraph 2
-Subparagraph (c)(2)(ii)
-Publisher FASB
-URI https://asc.fasb.org//1943274/2147480429/718-10-50-2

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.

Name:	us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsNonvestedNumber
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:sharesItemType
Balance Type:	na
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
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

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