Stock-Based Compensation Plans (Detalis 1) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
	Apr. 01, 2012
Employee Stock Option [Member]
Stock option transactions for Teledyne's employee stock option plans
Beginning balance, Shares	2,322,845
Weighted Average Exercise Price, Beginning balance	$ 38.19
Granted, Shares
Weighted Average Exercise Price, Granted
Exercised, Shares	(233,100)
Weighted Average Exercise Price, Exercised	$ 31.16
Canceled or expired, Shares	(22,052)
Weighted Average Exercise Price, Canceled or expired	$ 36.86
Ending balance, Shares	2,067,693
Weighted Average Exercise Price, Ending Balance	$ 39.00
Options exercisable at end of period, Shares	1,633,370
Weighted Average Exercise Price, Options exercisable at end of period	$ 37.17
Non-Employee Stock Option Plan [Member]
Stock option transactions for Teledyne's employee stock option plans
Beginning balance, Shares	404,692
Weighted Average Exercise Price, Beginning balance	$ 32.85
Granted, Shares	4,237
Weighted Average Exercise Price, Granted	$ 37.53
Exercised, Shares	(28,955)
Weighted Average Exercise Price, Exercised	$ 14.90
Ending balance, Shares	379,974
Weighted Average Exercise Price, Ending Balance	$ 34.27
Options exercisable at end of period, Shares	338,205
Weighted Average Exercise Price, Options exercisable at end of period	$ 32.79