Document And Entity Information (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Oct. 01, 2011	Nov. 26, 2010	Apr. 03, 2010
Entity Registrant Name	MTS SYSTEMS CORP
Entity Central Index Key	0000068709
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--10-01
Entity Well-known Seasoned Issuer	No
Entity Voluntary Filers	No
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes
Entity Filer Category	Large Accelerated Filer
Entity Public Float			$ 476,662,462
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		15,674,440
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2011
Document Fiscal Period Focus	FY
Document Type	10-K
Amendment Flag	false
Document Period End Date	Oct. 01, 2011