Industry Segments (Reconciliation) (Details) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
	Sep. 28, 2014	Sep. 29, 2013	Sep. 28, 2014	Sep. 29, 2013	Dec. 29, 2013
Net sales:
Net sales	$ 601.1	$ 571.6	$ 1,771.7	$ 1,742.0
Net sales, percentage change	5.20%		1.70%
Segment operating profit:
Total segment operating profit	74.3	53.0	214.6	176.8
Corporate expense, percentage change	40.20%		21.40%
Other income/(expense), net	(1.8)	(0.7)	7.0	(1.2)
Other nonoperating income (expense), net percentage change	157.10%
Interest and debt expense, net	(4.6)	(5.1)	(13.9)	(15.6)
Interest and debt expense, net, percentage change	(9.80%)		(10.90%)
Income before income taxes	67.9	47.2	207.7	160.0
Income before income taxes, percentage change	43.90%		29.80%
Provision for income taxes	13.0	0.3	51.0	30.0
Provision for income taxes, percentage change			70.00%
Net income	54.9	46.9	156.7	130.0
Net income, percentage change	17.10%		20.50%
Noncontrolling interest	0.7	(0.1)	0.8	0.1
Net income attributable to Teledyne	55.6	46.8	157.5	130.1
Net income attributable to Teledyne, percentage change	18.80%		21.10%
Operating Segments [Member]
Segment operating profit:
Total segment operating profit	84.9	63.4	247.2	207.1
Total segment operating profit, percentage change	33.90%		19.40%
Instrumentation
Net sales:
Net sales	280.4	256.6	815.9	747.0	9.4
Net sales, percentage change	9.30%		9.20%
Segment operating profit:
Total segment operating profit	46.9	39.9	128.2	117.6
Total segment operating profit, percentage change	17.50%		9.00%
Digital Imaging
Net sales:
Net sales	95.6	105.2	301.2	311.9
Net sales, percentage change	(9.10%)		(3.40%)
Segment operating profit:
Total segment operating profit	7.9	11.5	29.3	24.6
Total segment operating profit, percentage change	(31.30%)		19.10%
Aerospace and Defense Electronics
Net sales:
Net sales	151.8	143.1	457.3	475.7
Net sales, percentage change	6.10%		(3.90%)
Segment operating profit:
Total segment operating profit	21.6	9.3	68.3	50.1
Total segment operating profit, percentage change	132.30%		36.30%
Engineered Systems
Net sales:
Net sales	73.3	66.7	197.3	207.4
Net sales, percentage change	9.90%		(4.90%)
Segment operating profit:
Total segment operating profit	8.5	2.7	21.4	14.8
Total segment operating profit, percentage change	214.80%		44.60%
Corporate and Other
Segment operating profit:
Corporate expense	$ (10.6)	$ (10.4)	$ (32.6)	$ (30.3)
Corporate expense, percentage change	1.90%		7.60%