Consolidated Statements of Operations - USD ($) shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Income Statement [Abstract]
Net sales	$ 9,491,290	$ 8,959,087	$ 8,071,563
Cost of sales	6,494,876	6,146,262	5,660,877
Gross profit	2,996,414	2,812,825	2,410,686
Selling, general and administrative expenses	1,642,241	1,532,882	1,573,120
Operating income	1,354,173	1,279,943	837,566
Interest expense	31,111	40,547	71,086
Other expense (income)	5,205	(1,729)	17,619
Earnings before income taxes	1,317,857	1,241,125	748,861
Income tax expense	343,165	307,559	131,875
Net earnings including noncontrolling interest	974,692	933,566	616,986
Net earnings attributable to noncontrolling interest	3,054	3,204	1,684
Net earnings attributable to Mohawk Industries, Inc.	$ 971,638	$ 930,362	$ 615,302
Basic earnings per share attributable to Mohawk Industries, Inc.
Basic earnings per share attributable to Mohawk Industries, Inc. (usd per share)	$ 13.07	$ 12.55	$ 8.37
Weighted-average common shares outstanding—basic (in shares)	74,357	74,104	73,516
Diluted earnings per share attributable to Mohawk Industries, Inc.
Diluted earnings per share attributable to Mohawk Industries, Inc. (usd per share)	$ 12.98	$ 12.48	$ 8.31
Weighted-average common shares outstanding—diluted (in shares)	74,839	74,568	74,043