Earnings Per Share (Details) (USD $) In Millions, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 30, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]
Stock options excluded in computation of diluted (in shares)	0	0
Computation of Basic and Diluted Earnings Per Share
Net income attributable to Teledyne	$ 45.8	$ 40.4
Basic earnings per share:
Weighted average common shares outstanding (in shares)	37,500,000	37,200,000
Basic earnings per common share (in USD per share)	$ 1.22	$ 1.09
Diluted earnings per share:
Weighted average common shares outstanding (in shares)	37,500,000	37,200,000
Dilutive effect of exercise of options outstanding (in shares)	800,000	600,000
Weighted average diluted common shares outstanding (in shares)	38,300,000	37,800,000
Diluted earnings per common share (in USD per share)	$ 1.20	$ 1.07