Consolidated Statements of Income (USD $) In Millions, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Jan. 01, 2012	Jan. 02, 2011	Jan. 03, 2010
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income [Abstract]
Sales	$ 1,941.9	$ 1,644.2	$ 1,652.1
Costs and Expenses
Cost of sales	1,290.7	1,148.1	1,177.3
Selling, general and administrative expenses	424.0	317.6	303.4
Total costs and expenses	1,714.7	1,465.7	1,480.7
Income before other income and expense and income taxes	227.2	178.5	171.4
Interest and debt expense, net	(16.2)	(6.5)	(4.8)
Other income (expense), net	0.6	1.6	(0.2)
Income from continuing operations before income taxes	211.6	173.6	166.4
Provision for income taxes	69.5	53.6	50.0
Net income from continuing operations including noncontrolling interest	142.1	120.0	116.4
Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of income taxes	(0.7)	0.6	(2.6)
Gain on sale of discontinued operations, net of taxes	113.8
Net income including noncontrolling interest	255.2	120.6	113.8
Less: net income attributable to noncontrolling interest	0.1	(0.1)	(0.5)
Net income attributable to Teledyne Technologies	255.2	120.5	113.3
Net income from continuing operations	$ 142.1	$ 119.9	$ 115.9
Basic earnings per common share
- Continuing operations	$ 3.88	$ 3.31	$ 3.22
- Income (loss) from discontinued operations	$ (0.02)	$ 0.02	$ (0.07)
- Gain on sale of discontinued operations	$ 3.11
Basic earnings per common share	$ 6.97	$ 3.33	$ 3.15
Diluted earnings per common share
- Continuing operations	$ 3.81	$ 3.25	$ 3.17
- Income (loss) from discontinued operations	$ (0.02)	$ 0.02	$ (0.07)
- Gain on sale of discontinued operations	$ 3.05
Diluted earnings per common share	$ 6.84	$ 3.27	$ 3.10