Accounts Receivable and Finance Receivables (Details 2) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Apr. 04, 2015	Jan. 03, 2015	Mar. 29, 2014	Dec. 28, 2013
Finance Receivables
Finance receivables, gross	$ 1,256txt_FinanceReceivablesGross	$ 1,289txt_FinanceReceivablesGross
Allowance for losses	(53)	(51)	(54)	(55)
Total finance receivables, net	1,203txt_FinanceReceivablesNet	1,238txt_FinanceReceivablesNet
Finance receivables held for sale	$ 35	$ 35

The carrying amount of finance receivables held for investment or sale.

No definition available.

Name:	txt_FinanceReceivablesGross
Namespace Prefix:	txt_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

The carrying amount of financing receivables, net of the allowance for losses.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	txt_FinanceReceivablesNet
Namespace Prefix:	txt_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

A valuation allowance for financing receivables that are expected to be uncollectible.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 310

-SubTopic 10

-Section 50

-Paragraph 11B

-Subparagraph (c)(1)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=35738203&loc=SL6953423-111524

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_FinancingReceivableAllowanceForCreditLosses
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

The face amount of loans that will be sold to other entities.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 310

-SubTopic 10

-Section 45

-Paragraph 2

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=28367877&loc=d3e4428-111522

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_LoansReceivableHeldForSaleAmount
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_NotesReceivableNetAbstract
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Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration