Consolidated Statements of Operations - USD ($) shares in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018
Total revenues	$ 2,173,350,000	$ 2,502,470,000	$ 2,376,117,000
Total cost of revenues	1,571,183,000	1,750,151,000	1,645,798,000
Gross profit	602,167,000	752,319,000	730,319,000
Operating expenses
Sales, general and administrative	276,920,000	346,872,000	423,210,000
Research and development	194,101,000	202,200,000	207,905,000
Amortization of intangible assets	44,711,000	64,286,000	71,713,000
Restructuring	37,013,000	6,278,000	77,183,000
Gain (Loss) on Disposition of Other Assets	59,817,000	0	0
Total operating expenses	612,562,000	619,636,000	780,011,000
Operating income (loss)	(10,395,000)	132,683,000	(49,692,000)
Other income (expense)
Interest income	2,998,000	1,849,000	2,153,000
Interest expense	(44,001,000)	(52,453,000)	(58,203,000)
Other income (expense), net	(5,241,000)	(9,047,000)	(3,409,000)
Total other income (expense)	(46,244,000)	(59,651,000)	(59,459,000)
Total income before income taxes	(56,639,000)	73,032,000	(109,151,000)
Income tax benefit (provision)	(238,000)	(20,617,000)	12,570,000
Net income (loss)	(56,877,000)	52,415,000	(96,581,000)
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests	1,078,000	3,409,000	2,669,000
Net income (loss) attributable to Itron, Inc.	$ (57,955,000)	$ 49,006,000	$ (99,250,000)
Earnings (loss) per common share - Basic (in dollars per share)	$ (1.44)	$ 1.24	$ (2.53)
Earnings (loss) per common share - Diluted (in dollars per share)	$ (1.44)	$ 1.23	$ (2.53)
Weighted average common shares outstanding - Basic (in shares)	40,253	39,556	39,244
Weighted average common shares outstanding - Diluted (in shares)	40,253	39,980	39,244
Product [Member]
Total revenues	$ 1,889,173,000	$ 2,220,395,000	$ 2,095,458,000
Total cost of revenues	1,408,615,000	1,587,710,000	1,476,498,000
Service [Member]
Total revenues	284,177,000	282,075,000	280,659,000
Total cost of revenues	$ 162,568,000	$ 162,441,000	$ 169,300,000