Industry Segments (Details) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2012	Oct. 02, 2011	Sep. 30, 2012	Oct. 02, 2011
Net sales:
Total net sales	$ 547.4	$ 496.4	$ 1,559.9	$ 1,467.4
Net Sales, Percentage Change	10.30%		6.30%
Segment operating profit:
Total segment operating profit	60.3	56.8	175.5	173.4
Total segment operating profit, Percentage Change	6.40%		0.70%
Corporate expense	(9.6)	(8.9)	(26.8)	(27.4)
Corporate expense, Percentage Change	7.90%		(2.20%)
Other income/(expense), net	1.2	(3.8)	2.2	(2.5)
Interest and debt expense, net	(4.5)	(3.7)	(12.6)	(12.4)
Interest and debt expense, net Percentage Change	21.60%		1.60%
Income from continuing operations before income taxes	57.0	49.3	165.1	158.5
Income from continuing operations before income taxes, Percentage Change	15.60%		4.20%
Provision for income taxes	13.9	15.2	46.8	53.1
Provision for income taxes, Percentage Change	(8.60%)		(11.90%)
Net income from continuing operations including noncontrolling interest	43.1	34.1	118.3	105.4
Net income from continuing operations including noncontrolling interest Percentage Change	26.40%		12.20%
Loss from discontinued operations, net of income taxes				(0.7)
Gain on sale of discontinued operations, net of income taxes				113.8
Net income	43.1	34.1	118.3	218.5
Net income including noncontrolling interest, Percentage Change	26.40%		(45.90%)
Less: Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest	(0.4)		(0.4)	(0.1)
Net income attributable to Teledyne	42.7	34.1	117.9	218.4
Net income attributable to Teledyne Technologies, Percentage Change	25.20%		(46.00%)
Instrumentation [Member]
Net sales:
Total net sales	193.8	157.1	516.8	467.7
Net Sales, Percentage Change	23.40%		10.50%
Segment operating profit:
Total segment operating profit	29.9	32.2	89.5	94.6
Total segment operating profit, Percentage Change	(7.10%)		(5.40%)
Digital Imaging [Member]
Net sales:
Total net sales	108.1	95.0	313.2	257.4
Net Sales, Percentage Change	13.80%		21.70%
Segment operating profit:
Total segment operating profit	7.6	2.3	19.4	13.8
Total segment operating profit, Percentage Change	230.40%		40.60%
Aerospace and Defense Electronics [Member]
Net sales:
Total net sales	164.2	171.2	497.8	507.7
Net Sales, Percentage Change	(4.10%)		(1.90%)
Segment operating profit:
Total segment operating profit	24.1	24.8	71.5	70.8
Total segment operating profit, Percentage Change	(2.80%)		1.00%
Engineered Systems [Member]
Net sales:
Total net sales	81.3	73.1	232.1	234.6
Net Sales, Percentage Change	11.20%		(1.10%)
Segment operating profit:
Total segment operating profit	8.3	6.4	21.9	21.6
Total segment operating profit, Percentage Change	29.70%		1.40%
Operating Segments [Member]
Segment operating profit:
Total segment operating profit	$ 69.9	$ 65.7	$ 202.3	$ 200.8