Document And Entity Information (USD $)	3 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2011	Jan. 31, 2012	Apr. 02, 2011
Entity Registrant Name	MTS SYSTEMS CORP
Entity Central Index Key	0000068709
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--09-29
Entity Well-known Seasoned Issuer	No
Entity Voluntary Filers	No
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes
Entity Filer Category	Large Accelerated Filer
Entity Public Float			$ 701,597,545
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		15,826,495
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2012
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q1
Document Type	10-Q
Amendment Flag	false
Document Period End Date	Dec. 31, 2011