Document and Entity Information - shares	6 Months Ended
	Apr. 02, 2016	May. 06, 2016
Document and Entity Information [Abstract]
Entity Registrant Name	MTS SYSTEMS CORP
Entity Central Index Key	0000068709
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--10-01
Entity Filer Category	Large Accelerated Filer
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		14,753,051
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2016
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q2
Document Type	10-Q
Amendment Flag	false
Document Period End Date	Apr. 02, 2016