Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Details 1) (USD $) In Millions, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended																12 Months Ended
	Dec. 30, 2012		Sep. 30, 2012		Jul. 01, 2012		Apr. 01, 2012		Jan. 01, 2012		Oct. 02, 2011		Jul. 03, 2011		Apr. 03, 2011		Dec. 30, 2012	Jan. 01, 2012	Jan. 02, 2011
Computation of Basic and Diluted Earnings Per Share
Earnings from continuing operations (b)	$ 44.5	[1],[2]	$ 43.1	[1],[2]	$ 39.6	[1],[2]	$ 35.6	[1],[2]	$ 36.7	[3],[4]	$ 34.1	[3],[4]	$ 38.8	[3],[4]	$ 32.5	[3],[4]	$ 162.8	$ 142.1	$ 120.0
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest	(0.6)	[2]	(0.4)	[2]	(0.1)	[2]	0.1	[2]	0.1	[3]	0	[3]	(0.1)	[3]	0	[3]	(1.0)	0	(0.1)
Discontinued operations, net of income taxes																	2.3	113.1	0.6
Net income attributable to Teledyne																	$ 164.1	$ 255.2	$ 120.5
Basic earnings per common share:
Weighted average common shares outstanding (in shares)																	36.7	36.6	36.2
Basic earnings per common share
Continuing operations (in USD per share)	$ 1.19	[2]	$ 1.17	[2]	$ 1.08	[2]	$ 0.98	[2]	$ 1.01	[3]	$ 0.93	[3]	$ 1.06	[3]	$ 0.89	[3]	$ 4.41	$ 3.88	$ 3.31
Discontinued operations (in USD per share)																	$ 0.06	$ 3.09	$ 0.02
Basic earnings per common share (in USD per share)	$ 1.25	[2]	$ 1.17	[2]	$ 1.08	[2]	$ 0.98	[2]	$ 1.01	[3]	$ 0.93	[3]	$ 4.16	[3]	$ 0.88	[3]	$ 4.47	$ 6.97	$ 3.33
Diluted earnings per share:
Weighted average common shares outstanding (in shares)																	36.7	36.6	36.2
Dilutive effect of exercise of options outstanding (in shares)																	0.7	0.7	0.7
Weighted average diluted common shares outstanding (in shares)																	37.4	37.3	36.9
Diluted earnings per common share
Continuing operations (in USD per share)	$ 1.17	[2]	$ 1.14	[2]	$ 1.06	[2]	$ 0.96	[2]	$ 0.99	[3]	$ 0.91	[3]	$ 1.04	[3]	$ 0.87	[3]	$ 4.33	$ 3.81	$ 3.25
Discontinued operations (in USD per share)																	$ 0.06	$ 3.03	$ 0.02
Diluted earnings per common share (in USD per share)	$ 1.23	[2]	$ 1.14	[2]	$ 1.06	[2]	$ 0.96	[2]	$ 0.99	[3]	$ 0.91	[3]	$ 4.08	[3]	$ 0.86	[3]	$ 4.39	$ 6.84	$ 3.27

[1] The second quarter includes a gain of $0.6 million on the purchase of the minority interest in Optech.

[2] Fiscal year 2012 was a 52-week year, each quarter contained 13 weeks.

[3] Fiscal year 2011 was a 52-week year, each quarter contained 13 weeks.

[4] The fourth quarter includes income of $2.3 million related to the reduction of an environmental reserve no longer needed and also includes a $4.5 million pretax charge to write off a minority investment in a private company.