Industry Segments (Details) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended				12 Months Ended
	Mar. 30, 2014		Mar. 31, 2013		Dec. 29, 2013
Net sales:
Net sales	$ 573.5		$ 569.4
Net sales, percentage change	0.70%
Segment operating profit:
Total segment operating profit	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
Income before income taxes, percentage change	16.80%
Provision for income taxes	15.9		13.2
Provision for income taxes, percentage change	20.50%
Net income	46.0		39.8
Net income, percentage change	15.60%
Noncontrolling interest	(0.2)		0.6
Net income attributable to Teledyne	45.8		40.4
Net income attributable to Teledyne, percentage change	13.40%
Operating Segments [Member]
Segment operating profit:
Total segment operating profit	77.1		68.4
Total segment operating profit, percentage change	12.70%
Instrumentation [Member]
Net sales:
Net sales	258.9	[1]	232.7	[1]	9.4
Net sales, percentage change	11.30%	[1]
Segment operating profit:
Total segment operating profit	37.5	[1]	36.6	[1]
Total segment operating profit, percentage change	2.50%	[1]
Digital Imaging [Member]
Net sales:
Net sales	101.9		102.4
Net sales, percentage change	(0.50%)
Segment operating profit:
Total segment operating profit	9.7		5.2
Total segment operating profit, percentage change	86.50%
Aerospace and Defense Electronics [Member]
Net sales:
Net sales	153.3	[1]	163.1	[1]
Net sales, percentage change	(6.00%)	[1]
Segment operating profit:
Total segment operating profit	23.8	[1]	20.2	[1]
Total segment operating profit, percentage change	17.80%	[1]
Engineered Systems [Member]
Net sales:
Net sales	59.4		71.2
Net sales, percentage change	(16.60%)
Segment operating profit:
Total segment operating profit	6.1		6.4
Total segment operating profit, percentage change	(4.70%)
Corporate and Other [Member]
Segment operating profit:
Corporate expense	(11.1)		(9.5)
Corporate expense, percentage change	16.80%
Other income/(expense), net	0.6		(0.5)
Interest and debt expense, net	$ (4.7)		$ (5.4)
Interest and debt expense, net, percentage change	(13.00%)

[1] Our previously reported 2013 segment data has been restated to reflect a revised segment reporting structure adopted in the second quarter of 2013. The change only impacted the Instrumentation and Aerospace and Defense Electronics segments.