Earnings per share (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 30, 2013	Mar. 31, 2012
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]
Net earnings available to common stockholders	$ 50,495	$ 40,377
Weighted-average common shares outstanding-basic (in shares)	69,375	68,862
Add weighted-average dilutive potential common shares-options and RSU's to purchase common shares, net	522	279
Weighted-average common shares outstanding-diluted (in shares)	69,897	69,141
Basic earnings per share attributable to Mohawk Industries, Inc. (in usd per share)	$ 0.73	$ 0.59
Diluted earnings per share attributable to Mohawk Industries, Inc. (in usd per share)	$ 0.72	$ 0.58
Number of Common Stock Options And Unvested Restritced Shares not included in EPS (in shares)	39	1,044