Quarterly Results (Unaudited) Quarterly Results Revisions (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended								6 Months Ended		9 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015	Sep. 30, 2015	Jun. 30, 2015	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Sep. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2014	Mar. 31, 2014	Jun. 30, 2015	Jun. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Accounting Changes and Error Corrections [Abstract]
Revenues	$ 496,448	$ 469,528	$ 470,811	$ 446,746	$ 510,521	$ 482,352	$ 482,314	$ 472,429	$ 917,557	$ 954,743	$ 1,387,085	$ 1,437,095	$ 1,883,533	$ 1,947,616	$ 1,938,025
Gross profit	152,419	147,290	118,554	138,422	155,241	145,299	160,687	152,823	256,976	313,510	404,266	458,809	556,685	614,050	614,768
Net income (loss) attributable to Itron, Inc.	$ 8,986	$ 12,640	$ (14,346)	$ 5,398	$ (47,041)	$ 3,585	$ 20,836	$ (1,050)	$ (8,948)	$ 19,786	$ 3,692	$ 23,371	$ 12,678	$ (23,670)	$ (153,153)
Earnings (loss) per common share - Basic	$ 0.23	$ 0.33	$ (0.37)	$ 0.14	$ (1.21)	$ 0.09	$ 0.53	$ (0.03)	$ (0.23)	$ 0.50	$ 0.10	$ 0.60	$ 0.33	$ (0.60)	$ (3.90)
Earnings (loss) per common share - Diluted	$ 0.23	$ 0.33	$ (0.37)	$ 0.14	$ (1.21)	$ 0.09	$ 0.53	$ (0.03)	$ (0.23)	$ 0.50	$ 0.10	$ 0.59	$ 0.33	$ (0.60)	$ (3.90)