Quarterly Results (Unaudited) Quarterly Results (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended			3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended		3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended		3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010	Mar. 31, 2012 First Quarter [Member]	Mar. 31, 2011 First Quarter [Member]	Jun. 30, 2012 Second Quarter [Member]	Jun. 30, 2011 Second Quarter [Member]	Sep. 30, 2012 Third Quarter [Member]	Sep. 30, 2011 Third Quarter [Member]	Dec. 31, 2012 Fourth Quarter [Member]	Dec. 31, 2011 Fourth Quarter [Member]	Dec. 31, 2012 Maximum [Member]	Dec. 31, 2011 Maximum [Member]	Mar. 31, 2012 Maximum [Member] First Quarter [Member]	Mar. 31, 2011 Maximum [Member] First Quarter [Member]	Jun. 30, 2012 Maximum [Member] Second Quarter [Member]	Jun. 30, 2011 Maximum [Member] Second Quarter [Member]	Sep. 30, 2012 Maximum [Member] Third Quarter [Member]	Sep. 30, 2011 Maximum [Member] Third Quarter [Member]	Dec. 31, 2012 Maximum [Member] Fourth Quarter [Member]	Dec. 31, 2011 Maximum [Member] Fourth Quarter [Member]	Dec. 31, 2012 Minimum [Member]	Dec. 31, 2011 Minimum [Member]	Mar. 31, 2012 Minimum [Member] First Quarter [Member]	Mar. 31, 2011 Minimum [Member] First Quarter [Member]	Jun. 30, 2012 Minimum [Member] Second Quarter [Member]	Jun. 30, 2011 Minimum [Member] Second Quarter [Member]	Sep. 30, 2012 Minimum [Member] Third Quarter [Member]	Sep. 30, 2011 Minimum [Member] Third Quarter [Member]	Dec. 31, 2012 Minimum [Member] Fourth Quarter [Member]	Dec. 31, 2011 Minimum [Member] Fourth Quarter [Member]	Dec. 31, 2011 Itron International [Member]
Quarterly Results [Line Items]
Revenues	$ 2,178,178	$ 2,434,124	$ 2,259,271	$ 571,640	$ 563,691	$ 579,140	$ 612,401	$ 504,063	$ 615,555	$ 523,335	$ 642,477
Gross profit	715,147	746,458	700,675	183,105	184,978	196,745	191,951	171,797	176,996	163,500	192,533
Net income (loss) attributable to Itron, Inc.	108,275	(510,157)	104,770	25,353	27,120	31,615	34,436	35,347	(517,082)	15,960	(54,631)
Earnings (loss) per common share - Basic	$ 2.73	$ (12.56)	$ 2.60	$ 0.64	$ 0.67	$ 0.79	$ 0.85	$ 0.90	$ (12.70)	$ 0.40	$ (1.35)
Earnings (loss) per common share - Diluted	$ 2.71	$ (12.56)	$ 2.56	$ 0.63	$ 0.66	$ 0.79	$ 0.84	$ 0.89	$ (12.70)	$ 0.40	$ (1.35)
Stock Price												$ 48.23	$ 64.04	$ 48.23	$ 64.04	$ 45.42	$ 55.99	$ 45.85	$ 49.40	$ 45.26	$ 38.49	$ 33.50	$ 27.52	$ 36.60	$ 51.12	$ 33.50	$ 46.68	$ 38.28	$ 29.50	$ 38.71	$ 27.52
Goodwill, Impairment Loss	0	584,847	0																													584,800
Restructuring expense	$ 1,665	$ 68,082	$ 0