Consolidated Statements of Stockholders' Equity (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Total		Common Stock [Member]	Additional Paid-in Capital [Member]	Treasury Stock [Member]	Retained Earnings [Member]	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Member]	Total Teledyne Technologies Incorporated Stockholders' Equity [Member]	Noncontrolling Interest [Member]
Beginning balance at Dec. 31, 2009
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Net income	$ 120.6					$ 120.5		$ 120.5	$ 0.1
Other comprehensive loss, net of tax	(13.8)	[1]					(13.8)	(13.8)
Stock option compensation expense	4.9			4.9				4.9
Exercise of stock options and other, net	7.9			7.9				7.9
Ending balance at Jan. 02, 2011	787.0		0.4	267.5	0	703.7	(185.6)	786.0	1.0
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Net income	255.2					255.2		255.2
Other comprehensive loss, net of tax	(55.5)	[1]					(55.5)	(55.5)
Treasury stock purchase, net	(34.9)				(34.9)			(34.9)
Treasury stock issuance	3.0			(1.3)	4.3			3.0
Noncontrolling interest	4.8								4.8
Purchase of noncontrolling interest	(4.2)			(3.2)				(3.2)	(1.0)
Stock option compensation expense	5.8			5.8				5.8
Exercise of stock options and other, net	22.9			22.9				22.9
Ending balance at Jan. 01, 2012	984.1		0.4	291.7	(30.6)	958.9	(241.1)	979.3	4.8
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Net income	165.1					164.1		164.1	1.0
Other comprehensive loss, net of tax	(32.3)	[1]					(32.3)	(32.3)
Treasury stock issuance	16.6			(14.0)	30.6			16.6
Noncontrolling interest	49.8								49.8
Stock option compensation expense	8.0			8.0				8.0
Exercise of stock options and other, net	12.1			12.1				12.1
Ending balance at Dec. 30, 2012	$ 1,203.4		$ 0.4	$ 297.8	$ 0	$ 1,123.0	$ (273.4)	$ 1,147.8	$ 55.6

[1] Net of income tax benefits of $30.2 million, $24.2 million and $6.5 million for 2012, 2011 and 2010, respectively.