Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Net Income Per Common Share) (Details) (USD $) In Millions, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended																12 Months Ended
	Dec. 28, 2014		Sep. 28, 2014		Jun. 29, 2014		Mar. 30, 2014		Dec. 29, 2013		Sep. 29, 2013		Jun. 30, 2013		Mar. 31, 2013		Dec. 28, 2014	Dec. 29, 2013	Dec. 30, 2012
Computation of Basic and Diluted Earnings Per Share
Net income from continuing operations including noncontrolling interest																	$ 215.6	$ 184.5	$ 162.8
Noncontrolling interest	1.3	[1]	0.7	[1]	0.3	[1]	(0.2)	[1]	0.4	[2]	(0.1)	[2]	(0.4)	[2]	0.6	[2]	2.1	0.5	(1.0)
Discontinued operations, net of income taxes																	0	0	2.3
Net income attributable to Teledyne																	$ 217.7	$ 185.0	$ 164.1
Basic earnings per common share:
Weighted average common shares outstanding (in shares)																	37,100,000	37,300,000	36,700,000
Basic earnings per common share
Continuing operations (in USD per share)																	$ 5.87	$ 4.96	$ 4.41
Discontinued operations (in USD per share)																			$ 0.06
Basic earnings per common share (in USD per share)	$ 1.65	[1]	$ 1.49	[1]	$ 1.50	[1]	$ 1.22	[1]	$ 1.47	[2]	$ 1.25	[2]	$ 1.15	[2]	$ 1.09	[2]	$ 5.87	$ 4.96	$ 4.47
Diluted earnings per share:
Weighted average common shares outstanding (in shares)																	37,100,000	37,300,000	36,700,000
Dilutive effect of exercise of options outstanding (in shares)																	800,000	700,000	700,000
Weighted average diluted common shares outstanding (in shares)																	37,900,000	38,000,000	37,400,000
Diluted earnings per common share
Continuing operations (in USD per share)																	$ 5.75	$ 4.87	$ 4.33
Discontinued operations (in USD per share)																			$ 0.06
Diluted earnings per common share (in USD per share)	$ 1.62	[1]	$ 1.47	[1]	$ 1.47	[1]	$ 1.20	[1]	$ 1.44	[2]	$ 1.23	[2]	$ 1.13	[2]	$ 1.07	[2]	$ 5.75	$ 4.87	$ 4.39
Stock options excluded in computation of diluted (in shares)																	0	9,000	513,340
Stock options to purchase common stock																	2,900,000	2,700,000	2,000,000
Contingent shares under compensation plan																	0	0	0

[1] Fiscal year 2014 was a P364D-week year, each quarter contained P91D weeks.

[2] Fiscal year 2013 was a P364D-week year, each quarter contained P91D weeks.