Consolidated Statements of Operations - USD ($) shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2016
Income Statement [Abstract]
Revenues	$ 486,747	$ 506,859	$ 1,467,421	$ 1,517,473
Cost of revenues	321,429	336,110	967,018	1,013,816
Gross profit	165,318	170,749	500,403	503,657
Operating expenses
Sales and marketing	40,780	38,894	127,001	119,037
Product development	42,560	39,386	126,539	128,086
General and administrative	39,667	40,384	120,074	130,781
Amortization of intangible assets	5,625	4,996	15,144	19,002
Restructuring	(678)	40,679	7,417	41,294
Total operating expenses	127,954	164,339	396,175	438,200
Operating income	37,364	6,410	104,228	65,457
Other income (expense)
Interest income	729	102	1,468	594
Interest expense	(2,898)	(2,691)	(8,448)	(8,344)
Other income (expense), net	(1,701)	707	(7,126)	(1,074)
Total other income (expense)	(3,870)	(1,882)	(14,106)	(8,824)
Income before income taxes	33,494	4,528	90,122	56,633
Income tax provision	(6,640)	(13,430)	(32,247)	(34,249)
Net income (loss)	26,854	(8,902)	57,875	22,384
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests	1,278	983	2,357	2,263
Net income (loss) attributable to Itron, Inc.	$ 25,576	$ (9,885)	$ 55,518	$ 20,121
Earnings (loss) per common share - Basic	$ 0.66	$ (0.26)	$ 1.44	$ 0.53
Earnings (loss) per common share - Diluted	$ 0.65	$ (0.26)	$ 1.41	$ 0.52
Weighted average common shares outstanding - Basic	38,713	38,248	38,624	38,181
Weighted average common shares outstanding - Diluted	39,467	38,248	39,339	38,515