Industry Segments (Details) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
	Apr. 01, 2012	Apr. 03, 2011
Net sales:
Total net sales	$ 494.0	$ 468.1
Net Sales, Percentage Change	5.50%
Operating profit and other segment income:
Segment operating profit and other segment income	55.5	54.7
Segment operating profit and other segment income, Percentage Change	1.40%
Corporate expense	(9.5)	(9.4)
Corporate expense, Percentage Change	1.10%
Other expense, net	(0.4)	(0.3)
Other income /(expense), net Percentage Change	33.30%
Interest and debt expense, net	(4.0)	(4.4)
Interest expense, net Percentage Change	(9.10%)
Income from continuing operations before income taxes	51.1	50.0
Income before income taxes, Percentage Change	2.20%
Provision for income taxes	15.5	17.5
Provision for income taxes, Percentage Change	(11.40%)
Net income	35.6	32.5
Income Loss from Continuing Operations Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest Percentage Change	9.50%
Loss from discontinued operations, net of income taxes		(0.5)
Net income from continuing operations including noncontrolling interest	35.6	32.0
Net income before noncontrolling interest, Percentage Change	11.30%
Add back: Net loss attributable to noncontrolling interest	(0.1)
Net income attributable to Teledyne	35.7	32.0
Net income percentage attributable to Teledyne	11.60%
Instrumentation [Member]
Net sales:
Total net sales	160.6	157.9
Net Sales, Percentage Change	1.70%
Operating profit and other segment income:
Segment operating profit and other segment income	31.6	32.0
Segment operating profit and other segment income, Percentage Change	(1.30%)
Digital Imaging [Member]
Net sales:
Total net sales	94.2	66.2
Net Sales, Percentage Change	42.30%
Operating profit and other segment income:
Segment operating profit and other segment income	4.3	3.9
Segment operating profit and other segment income, Percentage Change	10.30%
Aerospace and Defense Electronics [Member]
Net sales:
Total net sales	164.8	166.9
Net Sales, Percentage Change	(1.30%)
Operating profit and other segment income:
Segment operating profit and other segment income	22.9	21.6
Segment operating profit and other segment income, Percentage Change	6.00%
Engineered Systems [Member]
Net sales:
Total net sales	74.4	77.1
Net Sales, Percentage Change	(3.50%)
Operating profit and other segment income:
Segment operating profit and other segment income	$ 6.2	$ 6.6
Segment operating profit and other segment income, Percentage Change	(6.10%)