Stock-Based Compensation Stock Option Summary (Details) (Employee Stock Option [Member], USD $) In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended				6 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013		Dec. 31, 2012		Jun. 30, 2014		Jun. 30, 2013
[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		128
Granted, Weighted Average Exercise Price Per Share					$ 35.19		$ 42.76
Granted, Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value					$ 13.64		$ 15.44
Exercised, Number					(33)		(32)
Exercised, Weighted Average Exercise Price Per Share					$ 23.70		$ 23.36
Exercised, Aggregate Intrinsic Value					510	[1]	639	[1]
Expired, Number					(10)		(8)
Expired, Weighted Average Exercise Price Per Share					$ 43.82		$ 49.92
Outstanding, ending balance, Number	1,180		1,137		1,284		1,225
Outstanding, ending balance, Weighted Average Exercise Price Per Share	$ 54.79		$ 54.06		$ 53.43		$ 53.71
Outstanding, ending balance, Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Term	4 years 7 months 22 days		4 years 9 months 21 days		4 years 8 months 0 days		4 years 11 months 26 days
Outstanding, ending balance, Aggregate Intrinsic Value	1,300	[1]	3,815	[1]	1,364	[1]	2,388	[1]
Exercisable, Number					944
Exercisable, Weighted Average Exercise Price Per Share					$ 58.53
Exercisable, Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Term					3 years 1 month 15 days
Exercisable, Aggregate Intrinsic Value					562	[1]
Expected to Vest [Member]
[Line Items]
Outstanding, ending balance, Number					325
Outstanding, ending balance, Weighted Average Exercise Price Per Share					$ 39.35
Outstanding, ending balance, Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Term					8 years 10 months 20 days
Outstanding, ending balance, Aggregate Intrinsic Value					$ 756	[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.