Restructuring and Other Charges (Details) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended									12 Months Ended	3 Months Ended							12 Months Ended
	Apr. 01, 2012	Apr. 03, 2011	Apr. 01, 2012 North America	Apr. 03, 2011 North America	Apr. 01, 2012 EMEA	Apr. 03, 2011 EMEA	Apr. 03, 2011 2010 Actions	Apr. 01, 2012 2011 Actions	Apr. 01, 2012 2011 Actions Danfoss Socla S.A.S	Dec. 31, 2011 2011 Actions Danfoss Socla S.A.S	Apr. 01, 2012 2011 Actions EMEA Danfoss Socla S.A.S	Apr. 01, 2012 2011 Actions Asia Danfoss Socla S.A.S	Apr. 01, 2012 Other Actions	Apr. 03, 2011 Other Actions	Apr. 01, 2012 Facilities consolidation 2011 Actions EMEA	Apr. 01, 2012 Facilities consolidation 2012 Actions North America unit	Apr. 01, 2012 Severance 2011 Actions Danfoss Socla S.A.S	Dec. 31, 2011 Severance 2011 Actions Danfoss Socla S.A.S
Restructuring and other charges
Original estimate of expected costs									$ 6.4							$ 2.8
Net after-tax charge															1.8	1.8
Net restructuring costs and other charges			0.4	0.1	1.3	1.0
Net pre-tax restructuring charges	1.7	1.1							0.5						2.6		0.5
Net pre-tax restructuring charges	1.2	1.1					0.9	0.5					0.7	0.2
Other charges related to impairments	0.5
Total estimated cost (pre-tax)									5.1	5.1	4.9	0.2					5.1
Costs incurred through date									3.6		3.4	0.2
Costs incurred									(0.5)	(3.1)							(0.5)	(3.1)
Remaining costs									$ 1.5		$ 1.5						$ 1.5
Number of manufacturing sites closed																2