Accounts Receivable (Details Textual) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 30, 2012	Jan. 01, 2012
Receivables [Abstract]
Billed contract receivables from long-term contracts	$ 21.0	$ 18.3
Unbilled contract receivables from long-term contracts	$ 23.6	$ 19.6

Unbilled Contract Receivables from Long-term Contracts

No definition available.

Name:	tdy_UnbilledContractReceivablesFromLongTermContracts
Namespace Prefix:	tdy_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant