Segment Information - Revenue by Segment and Reconciliation of Segment Profit to Income Before Income Taxes (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended
	Apr. 03, 2021	Apr. 04, 2020
Revenues
Total revenues	$ 2,879	$ 2,777
Reconciliation of segment profit to income from continuing operations before income taxes
Special charges	(6)	(39)
Gain on business disposition	15	0
Income before income taxes	190	69
Operating Segment
Reconciliation of segment profit to income from continuing operations before income taxes
Segment profit	256	156
Reconciling Items
Reconciliation of segment profit to income from continuing operations before income taxes
Corporate expenses and other, net	(40)	(14)
Special charges	(6)	(39)
Gain on business disposition	15	0
Textron Aviation
Revenues
Total revenues	865	872
Bell
Revenues
Total revenues	846	823
Textron Systems
Revenues
Total revenues	328	328
Industrial
Revenues
Total revenues	825	740
Finance
Revenues
Total revenues	15	14
Finance | Operating Segment
Reconciliation of segment profit to income from continuing operations before income taxes
Segment profit	6	3
Manufacturing group
Reconciliation of segment profit to income from continuing operations before income taxes
Gain on business disposition	15	0
Manufacturing group | Reconciling Items
Reconciliation of segment profit to income from continuing operations before income taxes
Interest expense, net for Manufacturing group	(35)	(34)
Manufacturing group | Textron Aviation | Operating Segment
Revenues
Total revenues	865	872
Reconciliation of segment profit to income from continuing operations before income taxes
Segment profit	47	3
Manufacturing group | Bell | Operating Segment
Revenues
Total revenues	846	823
Reconciliation of segment profit to income from continuing operations before income taxes
Segment profit	105	115
Manufacturing group | Textron Systems | Operating Segment
Revenues
Total revenues	328	328
Reconciliation of segment profit to income from continuing operations before income taxes
Segment profit	51	26
Manufacturing group | Industrial | Operating Segment
Revenues
Total revenues	825	740
Reconciliation of segment profit to income from continuing operations before income taxes
Segment profit	47	9
Finance group
Reconciliation of segment profit to income from continuing operations before income taxes
Gain on business disposition	0	0
Finance group | Finance | Operating Segment
Revenues
Total revenues	$ 15	$ 14