Segment Information - Additional Information (Detail)	12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Segment Reporting Disclosure [Line Items]
Percentage of total consolidated net sales accounted by three largest customers	35.00%	36.00%	37.00%

Percentage of total consolidated net sales accounted for by three largest customers.

No definition available.

Name:	mat_PercentageOfTotalConsolidatedNetSalesAccountedForByThreeLargestCustomers
Namespace Prefix:	mat_
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration