Industry Segments (Details) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jul. 03, 2011	Jul. 04, 2010	Jul. 03, 2011	Jul. 04, 2010
Net sales:
Total net sales	$ 502.9	$ 408.0	$ 971.0	$ 812.9
Net Sales, Percentage Change	23.30%		19.40%
Operating profit and other segment income:
Operating profit and other segment income	61.9	43.7	116.6	83.7
Segment operating profit and other segment income, Percentage Change	41.70%		38.60%
Corporate expense	9.1	6.4	18.5	13.8
Corporate expense, Percentage Change	42.20%		34.10%
Other income, net	1.6	0.5	1.3	1.2
Other income, net, Percentage Change	220.00%		8.30%
Interest and debt expense, net	(4.3)	(0.6)	(8.7)	(1.6)
Interest expense, net, Percentage Change	616.70%		443.80%
Income from continuing operations before income taxes	59.2	43.6	109.2	83.3
Income before income taxes, Percentage Change	35.80%		31.10%
Provision for income taxes	20.4	15.6	37.9	30.3
Provision for income taxes, Percentage Change	30.80%		25.10%
Net income from continuing operations including noncontrolling interest	38.8	28.0	71.3	53.0
Net income from continuing operations including noncontrolling interest, Percentage Change	38.60%		34.50%
Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of income taxes	(0.2)	0.6	(0.7)	0.6
Gain on sale of discountinued operations	113.8		113.8
Net income including noncontrolling interest	152.4	28.6	184.4	53.6
Net income including noncontrolling interest, Percentage Change	432.90%		244.00%
Less: Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest	(0.1)	0	(0.1)	0
Net income attributable to Teledyne Technologies	152.3	28.6	184.3	53.6
Net income attributable to Teledyne Technologies, Percentage Change	432.50%		243.80%
Instrumentation [Member]
Net sales:
Total net sales	152.7	148.2	310.6	282.6
Net Sales, Percentage Change	3.00%		9.90%
Operating profit and other segment income:
Operating profit and other segment income	30.4	31.5	62.4	54.2
Segment operating profit and other segment income, Percentage Change	(3.50%)		15.10%
Digital Imaging [Member]
Net sales:
Total net sales	96.2	29.6	162.4	59.4
Net Sales, Percentage Change	225.00%		173.40%
Operating profit and other segment income:
Operating profit and other segment income	7.6	1.5	11.5	3.7
Segment operating profit and other segment income, Percentage Change	406.70%		210.80%
Aerospace and Defense Electronics [Member]
Net sales:
Total net sales	169.6	150.4	336.5	300.3
Net Sales, Percentage Change	12.80%		12.10%
Operating profit and other segment income:
Operating profit and other segment income	24.4	9.9	46.0	25.5
Segment operating profit and other segment income, Percentage Change	146.50%		80.40%
Engineered Systems [Member]
Net sales:
Total net sales	84.4	79.8	161.5	170.6
Net Sales, Percentage Change	5.80%		(5.30%)
Operating profit and other segment income:
Operating profit and other segment income	$ 8.6	$ 7.2	$ 15.2	$ 14.1
Segment operating profit and other segment income, Percentage Change	19.40%		7.80%