Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations (USD $) In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 28, 2013	Sep. 29, 2012	Sep. 28, 2013	Sep. 29, 2012
Income Statement [Abstract]
Net sales	$ 1,961,536	$ 1,473,493	$ 5,424,650	$ 4,352,321
Cost of sales	1,444,646	1,100,656	4,016,638	3,231,594
Gross profit	516,890	372,837	1,408,012	1,120,727
Selling, general and administrative expenses	340,987	268,883	1,012,069	837,079
Operating income	175,903	103,954	395,943	283,648
Interest expense	25,630	17,969	70,098	59,311
Other expense (income)	1,168	322	6,458	(1,063)
Earnings before income taxes	149,105	85,663	319,387	225,400
Income tax expense	28,993	15,359	62,965	40,896
Net earnings	120,112	70,304	256,422	184,504
Loss from discontinued operations, net of income tax benefit	(553)	0	(1,914)	0
Net earnings including noncontrolling interest	119,559	70,304	254,508	184,504
Less: Net earnings attributable to noncontrolling interest	491	0	373	635
Net earnings attributable to Mohawk Industries, Inc.	$ 119,068	$ 70,304	$ 254,135	$ 183,869
Income from continuing operations	$ 1.65	$ 1.02	$ 3.59	$ 2.67
Loss from discontinued operations	$ (0.01)	$ 0.00	$ (0.03)	$ 0.00
Basic earnings per share attributable to Mohawk Industries, Inc. (in usd per share)	$ 1.64	$ 1.02	$ 3.56	$ 2.67
Weighted-average common shares outstanding-basic (in shares)	72,575	69,010	71,467	68,952
Income from continuing operations	$ 1.64	$ 1.01	$ 3.56	$ 2.66
Loss from discontinued operations	$ (0.01)	$ 0.00	$ (0.03)	$ 0.00
Diluted earnings per share attributable to Mohawk Industries, Inc. (in usd per share)	$ 1.63	$ 1.01	$ 3.53	$ 2.66
Weighted-average common shares outstanding-diluted (in shares)	73,087	69,337	71,975	69,247