Segment and Geographic Data - Assets, capital expenditures and depreciation and amortization by segment (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016	Jan. 02, 2016	Jan. 03, 2015
Other Information by Segment
Assets	$ 15,358	$ 14,708
Capital expenditures	446	420	$ 429
Depreciation and amortization	449	461	459
Manufacturing group
Other Information by Segment
Assets	14,078	13,392
Capital expenditures	446	420	429
Depreciation and amortization	437	449	446
Operating Segment | Finance
Other Information by Segment
Assets	1,280	1,316
Depreciation and amortization	12	12	13
Operating Segment | Manufacturing group | Textron Aviation
Other Information by Segment
Assets	4,460	4,039
Capital expenditures	157	124	96
Depreciation and amortization	140	134	137
Operating Segment | Manufacturing group | Bell
Other Information by Segment
Assets	2,655	2,829
Capital expenditures	86	97	152
Depreciation and amortization	132	143	132
Operating Segment | Manufacturing group | Textron Systems
Other Information by Segment
Assets	2,508	2,398
Capital expenditures	71	86	65
Depreciation and amortization	75	80	84
Operating Segment | Manufacturing group | Industrial
Other Information by Segment
Assets	2,409	2,236
Capital expenditures	121	105	97
Depreciation and amortization	81	76	76
Corporate
Other Information by Segment
Assets	2,046	1,890
Capital expenditures	11	8	19
Depreciation and amortization	$ 9	$ 16	$ 17