Consolidated Balance Sheets - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Sep. 30, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Assets, Current [Abstract]
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 137,584	$ 133,565
Accounts receivable, net	376,149	351,506
Inventories	207,703	163,049
Other current assets	112,959	84,346
Total current assets	834,395	732,466
Property, plant, and equipment, net	192,784	176,458
Deferred tax assets, net	95,666	94,113
Other long-term assets	44,072	50,129
Intangible assets, net	100,289	72,151
Goodwill	550,732	452,494
Total assets	1,817,938	1,577,811
Liabilities, Current [Abstract]
Accounts payable	212,564	172,711
Other current liabilities	55,305	43,625
Wages and benefits payable	94,867	82,346
Taxes payable	21,082	10,451
Current portion of debt	18,281	14,063
Current portion of warranty	21,697	24,874
Unearned revenue	74,598	64,976
Total current liabilities	498,394	413,046
Long-term debt	303,949	290,460
Long-term warranty	13,225	18,428
Pension benefit obligation	96,849	84,498
Deferred tax liabilities, net	3,447	3,073
Other long-term obligations	111,553	117,953
Total liabilities	1,027,417	927,458
Commitments and contingencies (Note 11)
Equity
Preferred stock, no par value, 10 million shares authorized, no shares issued or outstanding	0	0
Common stock, no par value, 75 million shares authorized, 38,725 and 38,317 shares issued and outstanding	1,287,803	1,270,467
Accumulated other comprehensive loss, net	(177,743)	(229,327)
Accumulated deficit	(339,654)	(409,536)
Total Itron, Inc. shareholders' equity	770,406	631,604
Noncontrolling interests	20,115	18,749
Total equity	790,521	650,353
Total liabilities and equity	$ 1,817,938	$ 1,577,811