Stock-Based Compensation Stock Option Summary (Details) (Employee Stock Option [Member], USD $) In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014		Dec. 31, 2013		Mar. 31, 2013		Dec. 31, 2012
[Line Items]
Outstanding, beginning balance, Number	1,180				1,137
Outstanding, beginning balance, Weighted Average Exercise Price Per Share	$ 54.79				$ 54.06
Outstanding, beginning balance, Aggregate Intrinsic Value	$ 1,300	[1]			$ 3,815	[1]
Options granted, number	147				129
Granted, Weighted Average Exercise Price Per Share	$ 35.19				$ 42.76
Granted, Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value	$ 13.64				$ 15.44
Exercised, Number	(5)				(11)
Exercised, Weighted Average Exercise Price Per Share	$ 35.71				$ 28.92
Exercised, Aggregate Intrinsic Value	25	[1]			171	[1]
Expired, Number	0				(3)
Expired, Weighted Average Exercise Price Per Share	$ 0.00				$ 48.51
Outstanding, ending balance, Number	1,322		1,180		1,252		1,137
Outstanding, ending balance, Weighted Average Exercise Price Per Share	$ 52.68		$ 54.79		$ 53.14		$ 54.06
Outstanding, ending balance, Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Term	5 years 0 months 0 days		4 years 7 months 22 days		5 years 1 month 21 days		4 years 9 months 21 days
Outstanding, ending balance, Aggregate Intrinsic Value	613	[1]	1,300	[1]	4,805	[1]	3,815	[1]
Exercisable, Number	975
Exercisable, Weighted Average Exercise Price Per Share	$ 57.41
Exercisable, Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Term	3 years 6 months 0 days
Exercisable, Aggregate Intrinsic Value	562	[1]
Expected to Vest [Member]
[Line Items]
Outstanding, ending balance, Number	329
Outstanding, ending balance, Weighted Average Exercise Price Per Share	$ 39.45
Outstanding, ending balance, Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Term	9 years 2 months 10 days
Outstanding, ending balance, Aggregate Intrinsic Value	$ 47	[1]

[1] The aggregate intrinsic value of outstanding stock options represents amounts that would have been received by the optionees had all in- the-money options been exercised on that date. Specifically, it is the amount by which the market value of Itron’s stock exceeded the exercise price of the outstanding in-the-money options before applicable income taxes, based on our closing stock price on the last business day of the period. The aggregate intrinsic value of stock options exercised during the period is calculated based on our stock price at the date of exercise.