Accrued Loss Reserves

No definition available.

Name:	tss_AccruedLossReserves
Namespace Prefix:	tss_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

The aggregate carrying amount of reserve for estimated losses due to cardholder fraud and other losses resulting from cardholder activity, as well as non-performance of third parties. Carrying amount is based on historical loss and recovery rates.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	tss_CardholderReserve
Namespace Prefix:	tss_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Contract Duration

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	tss_ContractDuration
Namespace Prefix:	tss_
Data Type:	xbrli:durationItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Fair Value Assumptions, Expected Forfeitures

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	tss_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardFairValueAssumptionsExpectedForfeitures
Namespace Prefix:	tss_
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	tss_SignificantAccountingPoliciesLineItems
Namespace Prefix:	tss_
Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Transaction Processing Provisions, Current

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	tss_TransactionProcessingProvisionsCurrent
Namespace Prefix:	tss_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Weighted average amortization period of finite-lived intangible assets acquired either individually or as part of a group of assets, in 'PnYnMnDTnHnMnS' format, for example, 'P1Y5M13D' represents the reported fact of one year, five months, and thirteen days.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 350
-SubTopic 30
-Section 50
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (a)(3)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=26713463&loc=d3e16265-109275

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_AcquiredFiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsWeightedAverageUsefulLife
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:durationItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Amount charged to advertising expense for the period, which are expenses incurred with the objective of increasing revenue for a specified brand, product or product line.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 720
-SubTopic 35
-Section 50
-Paragraph 1
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6420018&loc=d3e36677-107848

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_AdvertisingExpense
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

The percentage of ownership of common stock or equity participation in the investee accounted for under the equity method of accounting.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 323
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 3
-Subparagraph (a)(1)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6382943&loc=d3e33918-111571

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_EquityMethodInvestmentOwnershipPercentage
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

This item represents the carrying amount on the entity's balance sheet of its investment in common stock of an equity method investee. This is not an indicator of the fair value of the investment, rather it is the initial cost adjusted for the entity's share of earnings and losses of the investee, adjusted for any distributions (dividends) and other than temporary impairment (OTTI) losses recognized.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 323
-SubTopic 10
-Section 45
-Paragraph 1
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=35755396&loc=d3e33749-111570

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 210
-SubTopic 10
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02.12)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6877327&loc=d3e13212-122682

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_EquityMethodInvestments
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Useful life of finite-lived intangible assets, in 'PnYnMnDTnHnMnS' format, for example, 'P1Y5M13D' represents the reported fact of one year, five months, and thirteen days.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetUsefulLife
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:durationItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Number of operating segments. An operating segment is a component of an enterprise: (a) that engages in business activities from which it may earn revenues and incur expenses (including revenues and expenses relating to transactions with other components of the same enterprise), (b) whose operating results are regularly reviewed by the enterprise's chief operating decision maker to make decisions about resources to be allocated to the segment and assess its performance, and (c) for which discrete financial information is available. An operating segment may engage in business activities for which it has yet to earn revenues, for example, start-up operations may be operating segments before earning revenues.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_NumberOfOperatingSegments
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:integerItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Useful life of long lived, physical assets used in the normal conduct of business and not intended for resale, in 'PnYnMnDTnHnMnS' format, for example, 'P1Y5M13D' represents the reported fact of one year, five months, and thirteen days. Examples include, but not limited to, land, buildings, machinery and equipment, office equipment, furniture and fixtures, and computer equipment.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentUsefulLife
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:durationItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_RangeAxis=us-gaap_MinimumMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_RangeAxis=us-gaap_MaximumMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentEquityMethodInvesteeNameAxis=tss_TotalSystemServicesDeMexicoSociedadAnonimaDeCapitalVariableMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentEquityMethodInvesteeNameAxis=tss_ChinaUnionPayDataCoLtdMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsByMajorClassAxis=tss_PerpetualAndSiteLicensesMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsByMajorClassAxis=tss_LicensedComputerSoftwareMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsByMajorClassAxis=us-gaap_DevelopedTechnologyRightsMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsByMajorClassAxis=us-gaap_SoftwareDevelopmentMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsByMajorClassAxis=us-gaap_OtherIntangibleAssetsMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis=tss_NorthAmericanAndInternationalServicesMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis=tss_MerchantServicesMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_FairValueByAssetClassAxis=us-gaap_GoodwillMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentByTypeAxis=us-gaap_BuildingAndBuildingImprovementsMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentByTypeAxis=us-gaap_MachineryAndEquipmentMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentByTypeAxis=us-gaap_FurnitureAndFixturesMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAxis=tss_NetspendHoldingsIncMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsByMajorClassAxis=tss_InternallyDevelopedSoftwareMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_BalanceSheetLocationAxis=us-gaap_OtherCurrentLiabilitiesMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies - Additional Information (Detail) $ in Thousands		12 Months Ended
	Jul. 01, 2013	Dec. 31, 2015 USD ($) Segment	Dec. 31, 2014 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2013 USD ($)
Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Software technology assets resulting from acquisitions, estimated useful live	7 years 3 months 18 days
Equity investments		$ 106,118	$ 100,468
Cardholders' loss reserve		9,400	6,300
Advertising expenses		$ 9,600	5,700	$ 1,300
Minimum
Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Estimated forfeiture rate		0.00%
Maximum
Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Estimated forfeiture rate		8.00%
TSYS de Mexico
Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Equity investments		$ 7,600	7,730
CUP Data
Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Equity method investment, percentage of ownership		44.56%
Equity investments		$ 98,518	$ 92,738
Perpetual and site licenses \| Minimum
Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Intangible assets estimated useful life		3 years
Perpetual and site licenses \| Maximum
Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Intangible assets estimated useful life		10 years
Licensed computer software \| Maximum
Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Intangible assets estimated useful life		10 years
Acquisition technology intangibles \| Minimum
Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Software technology assets resulting from acquisitions, estimated useful live		5 years
Acquisition technology intangibles \| Maximum
Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Software technology assets resulting from acquisitions, estimated useful live		9 years
Software development costs \| Minimum
Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Intangible assets estimated useful life		3 years
Software development costs \| Maximum
Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Intangible assets estimated useful life		10 years
Other intangible assets \| Minimum
Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Intangible assets estimated useful life		3 years
Other intangible assets \| Maximum
Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Intangible assets estimated useful life		10 years
North American And International Services \| Minimum
Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Processing contracts		3 years
North American And International Services \| Maximum
Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Processing contracts		10 years
Merchant Services
Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Reserve for merchant loss		$ 1,300
Merchant Services \| Minimum
Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Processing contracts		3 years
Merchant Services \| Maximum
Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Processing contracts		8 years
Goodwill
Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Equity investments		$ 49,400
Buildings and improvements \| Minimum
Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Property and equipment, estimated useful live		5 years
Buildings and improvements \| Maximum
Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Property and equipment, estimated useful live		40 years
Computer equipment \| Minimum
Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Property and equipment, estimated useful live		2 years
Computer equipment \| Maximum
Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Property and equipment, estimated useful live		5 years
Furniture and other equipment \| Minimum
Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Property and equipment, estimated useful live		3 years
Furniture and other equipment \| Maximum
Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Property and equipment, estimated useful live		15 years
NetSpend Holdings Inc
Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Operating segments \| Segment		4
Cardholders' loss reserve		$ 9,400
NetSpend Holdings Inc \| Minimum
Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Intangible assets estimated useful life	5 years
NetSpend Holdings Inc \| Maximum
Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Intangible assets estimated useful life	8 years
NetSpend Holdings Inc \| TSYS de Mexico
Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Equity method investment, percentage of ownership		49.00%
NetSpend Holdings Inc \| CUP Data
Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Equity method investment, percentage of ownership		44.56%
NetSpend Holdings Inc \| Internal-use software \| Minimum
Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Intangible assets estimated useful life		3 years
NetSpend Holdings Inc \| Internal-use software \| Maximum
Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Intangible assets estimated useful life		10 years
NetSpend Holdings Inc \| Other Current Liabilities
Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Transaction processing provision		$ 6,500