Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations (USD $) In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 27, 2014	Sep. 28, 2013	Sep. 27, 2014	Sep. 28, 2013
Income Statement [Abstract]
Net sales	$ 1,990,658	$ 1,961,536	$ 5,852,000	$ 5,424,650
Cost of sales	1,434,236	1,444,646	4,239,411	4,016,638
Gross profit	556,422	516,890	1,612,589	1,408,012
Selling, general and administrative expenses	342,729	340,987	1,045,913	1,012,069
Operating income	213,693	175,903	566,676	395,943
Interest expense	34,786	25,630	77,584	70,098
Other (income) expense, net	(2,374)	1,168	961	6,458
Earnings from continuing operations before income taxes	181,281	149,105	488,131	319,387
Income tax expense	30,021	28,993	102,957	62,965
Earnings from continuing operations	151,260	120,112	385,174	256,422
Loss from discontinued operations, net of income tax benefit of $297 and $782, respectively	0	(553)	0	(1,914)
Net earnings including noncontrolling interest	151,260	119,559	385,174	254,508
Net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interest	(6)	491	77	373
Net earnings attributable to Mohawk Industries, Inc.	$ 151,266	$ 119,068	$ 385,097	$ 254,135
Income from continuing operations (in usd per share)	$ 2.08	$ 1.65	$ 5.29	$ 3.59
Loss from discontinued operations (in usd per share)	$ 0.00	$ (0.01)	$ 0.00	$ (0.03)
Basic earnings per share attributable to Mohawk Industries, Inc. (in usd per share)	$ 2.08	$ 1.64	$ 5.29	$ 3.56
Weighted-average common shares outstanding-basic (in shares)	72,864	72,575	72,814	71,467
Income from continuing operations (in usd per share)	$ 2.06	$ 1.64	$ 5.25	$ 3.56
Loss from discontinued operations (in usd per share)	$ 0.00	$ (0.01)	$ 0.00	$ (0.03)
Diluted earnings per share attributable to Mohawk Industries, Inc. (in usd per share)	$ 2.06	$ 1.63	$ 5.25	$ 3.53
Weighted-average common shares outstanding-diluted (in shares)	73,376	73,087	73,332	71,975