Consolidated Statements of Shareholders' Equity (USD $) In Thousands, except Share data	Total USD ($)	Common Stock [Member]	Common Stock Including Additional Paid in Capital [Member] USD ($)	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Member] USD ($)	Retained Earnings (Accumulated Deficit) [Member] USD ($)	Total Itron Inc. Shareholders' Equity [Member] USD ($)	Noncontrolling Interests [Member] USD ($)
Balance at Dec. 31, 2009							$ 7,325
Balance at Dec. 31, 2009	1,407,839
Balance (value) at Dec. 31, 2009			1,299,134	71,130	30,250	1,400,514
Balance (shares) at Dec. 31, 2009		40,143,000
Net income (loss) attributable to Itron, Inc.	104,770				104,770	104,770
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests	3,701						3,701
Net income (loss)	108,471
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax	(106,217)			(106,104)		(106,104)	(113)
Options exercised (shares)		148,000
Options exercised (value)	5,933		5,933			5,933
Restricted stock awards released (shares)		84,000
Restricted stock awards released (value)	0		0			0
Issuance of stock-based compensation awards (shares)		5,000
Issuance of stock-based compensation awards (value)	364		364			364
Employee stock purchase plan (shares)		51,000
Employee stock purchase plan (value)	2,843		2,843			2,843
Stock-based compensation expense	18,743		18,743			18,743
Employee stock plans income tax benefits	1,232		1,232			1,232
Balance at Dec. 31, 2010							10,913
Balance at Dec. 31, 2010	1,439,208
Balance (value) at Dec. 31, 2010			1,328,249	(34,974)	135,020	1,428,295
Balance (shares) at Dec. 31, 2010		40,431,000
Net income (loss) attributable to Itron, Inc.	(510,157)				(510,157)	(510,157)
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests	3,961						3,961
Net income (loss)	(506,196)
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax	(2,440)			(2,186)		(2,186)	(254)
Options exercised (shares)		42,000
Options exercised (value)	832		832			832
Restricted stock awards released (shares)		271,000
Restricted stock awards released (value)	0		0			0
Issuance of stock-based compensation awards (shares)		12,000
Issuance of stock-based compensation awards (value)	469		469			469
Employee stock purchase plan (shares)		99,000
Employee stock purchase plan (value)	3,793		3,793			3,793
Stock-based compensation expense	15,942		15,942			15,942
Employee stock plans income tax deficiencies	(635)		(635)			(635)
Repurchase of common stock (shares)		(823,000)
Repurchase of common stock (value)	(29,428)		(29,428)			(29,428)
Balance at Dec. 31, 2011	14,620						14,620
Balance at Dec. 31, 2011	921,545
Balance (value) at Dec. 31, 2011	906,925		1,319,222	(37,160)	(375,137)	906,925
Balance (shares) at Dec. 31, 2011	40,032,000	40,032,000
Net income (loss) attributable to Itron, Inc.	108,275				108,275	108,275
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests	1,949						1,949
Net income (loss)	110,224
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax	2,753			2,776		2,776	(23)
Options exercised (shares)		54,000
Options exercised (value)	1,188		1,188			1,188
Restricted stock awards released (shares)		275,000
Restricted stock awards released (value)	0		0			0
Issuance of stock-based compensation awards (shares)		17,000
Issuance of stock-based compensation awards (value)	769		769			769
Employee stock purchase plan (shares)		101,000
Employee stock purchase plan (value)	3,593		3,593			3,593
Stock-based compensation expense	18,743		18,743			18,743
Employee stock plans income tax deficiencies	(1,861)		(1,861)			(1,861)
Repurchase of common stock (shares)		(1,202,000)
Repurchase of common stock (value)	(47,441)		(47,441)			(47,441)
Balance at Dec. 31, 2012	16,546						16,546
Balance at Dec. 31, 2012	1,009,513
Balance (value) at Dec. 31, 2012	$ 992,967		$ 1,294,213	$ (34,384)	$ (266,862)	$ 992,967
Balance (shares) at Dec. 31, 2012	39,277,000	39,277,000