Basic and Diluted Net Income (Loss) Per Common Share - Computation of Net Income (Loss) Per Common Share Basic and Diluted (Detail) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 26, 2015	Sep. 26, 2015	Jun. 27, 2015	Mar. 28, 2015	Dec. 27, 2014	Sep. 27, 2014	Jun. 28, 2014	Mar. 29, 2014	Dec. 26, 2015	Dec. 27, 2014	Dec. 28, 2013
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]
Net income (loss) attributable to Infinera Corporation	$ 12,631	$ 8,510	$ 17,906	$ 12,366	$ 8,410	$ 4,843	$ 4,780	$ (4,374)	$ 51,413	$ 13,659	$ (32,119)
Basic weighted average common shares outstanding (in shares)									133,259	123,672	117,425
Employee equity plans (in shares)									5,686	4,778	0
Assumed conversion of convertible senior notes from conversion spread (in shares)									4,226	115	0
Dilutive weighted average common shares outstanding (in shares)									143,171	128,565	117,425
Basic (in usd per share)	$ 0.09	$ 0.06	$ 0.14	$ 0.10	$ 0.07	$ 0.04	$ 0.04	$ (0.04)	$ 0.39	$ 0.11	$ (0.27)
Diluted (in usd per share)	$ 0.08	$ 0.06	$ 0.13	$ 0.09	$ 0.06	$ 0.04	$ 0.04	$ (0.04)	$ 0.36	$ 0.11	$ (0.27)