Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income (USD $) In Millions, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 30, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013
Income Statement [Abstract]
Net sales	$ 573.5	$ 569.4
Costs and expenses
Cost of sales	351.7	365.4
Selling, general and administrative expenses	155.8	145.1
Total costs and expenses	507.5	510.5
Income before other income/(expense) and income taxes	66.0	58.9
Other income/(expense), net	0.6	(0.5)
Interest and debt expense, net	(4.7)	(5.4)
Income before income taxes	61.9	53.0
Provision for income taxes	15.9	13.2
Net income	46.0	39.8
Noncontrolling interest	(0.2)	0.6
Net income attributable to Teledyne	$ 45.8	$ 40.4
Basic earnings per common share (in USD per share)	$ 1.22	$ 1.09
Weighted average common shares outstanding (in shares)	37.5	37.2
Diluted earnings per common share (in USD per share)	$ 1.20	$ 1.07
Weighted average diluted common shares outstanding (in shares)	38.3	37.8