Additional borrowing capacity on credit facility if agreed to by lenders

No definition available.

Name:	pmtc_AdditionalBorrowingCapacityOnCreditFacilityIfAgreedToByLenders
Namespace Prefix:	pmtc_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Cash Investment Limit For Acquisition of Business

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	pmtc_CashInvestmentLimitForAcquisitionOfBusiness
Namespace Prefix:	pmtc_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Component of Base Rate, Basis Spread on Adjusted LIBOR

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	pmtc_ComponentOfBaseRateBasisSpreadOnAdjustedLibor
Namespace Prefix:	pmtc_
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Component of Base Rate, Basis Spread on Federal Funds Effective Rate

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	pmtc_ComponentOfBaseRateBasisSpreadOnFederalFundsEffectiveRate
Namespace Prefix:	pmtc_
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Consolidated trailing four quarters EBITDA less capital expenditures to consolidated fixed charges

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	pmtc_DebtCovenantFixedChargeCoverageRatioMinimum
Namespace Prefix:	pmtc_
Data Type:	xbrli:decimalItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Debt Instrument, Covenant Compliance, Leverage Ratio Four

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	pmtc_DebtInstrumentCovenantComplianceLeverageRatioFour
Namespace Prefix:	pmtc_
Data Type:	xbrli:pureItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Debt Instrument, Covenant Compliance, Leverage Ratio Three

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	pmtc_DebtInstrumentCovenantComplianceLeverageRatioThree
Namespace Prefix:	pmtc_
Data Type:	xbrli:pureItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Debt Instrument, Covenant Compliance, Senior Debt Leverage Ratio

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	pmtc_DebtInstrumentCovenantComplianceSeniorDebtLeverageRatio
Namespace Prefix:	pmtc_
Data Type:	xbrli:pureItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Debt Instrument, Covenant Compliance, Senior Debt Leverage Ratio, actual

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	pmtc_DebtInstrumentCovenantComplianceSeniorDebtLeverageRatioactual
Namespace Prefix:	pmtc_
Data Type:	xbrli:pureItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Debt Instrument, Number of Banks in Credit Facility

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	pmtc_DebtInstrumentNumberofBanksinCreditFacility
Namespace Prefix:	pmtc_
Data Type:	xbrli:integerItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

debt net of unamortized debt issuance cost

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	pmtc_Debtnetofunamortizeddebtissuancecost
Namespace Prefix:	pmtc_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Actual fixed charge coverage ratio -- metric for determining debt covenant compliance

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	pmtc_FixedChargeCoverageRatioActual
Namespace Prefix:	pmtc_
Data Type:	xbrli:decimalItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Investment in Foreign Subsidiaries Authorized Amount

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	pmtc_InvestmentInForeignSubsidiariesAuthorizedAmount
Namespace Prefix:	pmtc_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Actual leverage ratio -- metric for determining compliance with debt covenant

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	pmtc_LeverageRatioActual
Namespace Prefix:	pmtc_
Data Type:	xbrli:decimalItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Line of Credit Facility, Variable Interest Rate, Length of Time Between Updates

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	pmtc_LineOfCreditFacilityVariableInterestRateLengthOfTimeBetweenUpdates
Namespace Prefix:	pmtc_
Data Type:	xbrli:durationItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Voting interest in foreign subsidiaries pledged against credit facility

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	pmtc_VotingInterestInForeignSubsidiariesPledgedAgainstCreditFacility
Namespace Prefix:	pmtc_
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Voting interest in domestic subsidiaries pledged against credit facility

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	pmtc_Votinginterestindomesticsubsidiariespledgedagainstcreditfacility
Namespace Prefix:	pmtc_
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Percentage points added to the reference rate to compute the variable rate on the debt instrument.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_DebtInstrumentBasisSpreadOnVariableRate1
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Amount, before unamortized (discount) premium and debt issuance costs, of long-term debt. Includes, but is not limited to, notes payable, bonds payable, commercial loans, mortgage loans, convertible debt, subordinated debt and other types of debt.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 210
-SubTopic 10
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02(22))
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6877327&loc=d3e13212-122682

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 944
-SubTopic 210
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.7-03(16))
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6879938&loc=d3e572229-122910

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 942
-SubTopic 210
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.9-03(16))
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6876686&loc=d3e534808-122878

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_DebtInstrumentCarryingAmount
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Fair value portion of debt instrument payable, including, but not limited to, notes payable and loans payable.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 825
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 10
-Subparagraph (a)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=77997519&loc=d3e13433-108611

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 825
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 12
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=77997519&loc=d3e13476-108611

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_DebtInstrumentFairValue
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Contractual interest rate for funds borrowed, under the debt agreement.

+ References

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Line items represent financial concepts included in a table. These concepts are used to disclose reportable information associated with domain members defined in one or many axes to the table.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Percentage price of original principal amount of debt at which debt can be redeemed by the issuer.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 942
-SubTopic 470
-Section 50
-Paragraph 3
-Subparagraph e
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=75038535&loc=d3e64711-112823

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_DebtInstrumentRedemptionPricePercentage
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

The carrying value as of the balance sheet date of the current and noncurrent portions of long-term obligations drawn from a line of credit, which is a bank's commitment to make loans up to a specific amount. Examples of items that might be included in the application of this element may consist of letters of credit, standby letters of credit, and revolving credit arrangements, under which borrowings can be made up to a maximum amount as of any point in time conditional on satisfaction of specified terms before, as of and after the date of drawdowns on the line. Includes short-term obligations that would normally be classified as current liabilities but for which (a) postbalance sheet date issuance of a long term obligation to refinance the short term obligation on a long term basis, or (b) the enterprise has entered into a financing agreement that clearly permits the enterprise to refinance the short-term obligation on a long term basis and the following conditions are met (1) the agreement does not expire within 1 year and is not cancelable by the lender except for violation of an objectively determinable provision, (2) no violation exists at the BS date, and (3) the lender has entered into the financing agreement is expected to be financially capable of honoring the agreement.

+ References

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_LineOfCredit
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

The fee, expressed as a percentage of the line of credit facility, for the line of credit facility regardless of whether the facility has been used.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityCommitmentFeePercentage
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

The effective interest rate at the end of the reporting period.

+ References

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityInterestRateAtPeriodEnd
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

The effective interest rate during the reporting period.

+ References

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityInterestRateDuringPeriod
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Maximum borrowing capacity under the credit facility without consideration of any current restrictions on the amount that could be borrowed or the amounts currently outstanding under the facility.

+ References

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityMaximumBorrowingCapacity
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Amount of the required periodic payment applied to interest.

+ References

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityPeriodicPaymentInterest
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

The cash outflow paid to third parties in connection with debt origination, which will be amortized over the remaining maturity period of the associated long-term debt.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 230
-SubTopic 10
-Section 45
-Paragraph 15
-Subparagraph (e)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=98514028&loc=d3e3291-108585

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_PaymentsOfDebtIssuanceCosts
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Including the current and noncurrent portions, carrying value as of the balance sheet date of Notes with the highest claim on the assets of the issuer in case of bankruptcy or liquidation (with maturities initially due after one year or beyond the operating cycle if longer). Senior note holders are paid off in full before any payments are made to junior note holders.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 944
-SubTopic 210
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.7-03.16(a))
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6879938&loc=d3e572229-122910

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 942
-SubTopic 210
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.9-03.16)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6876686&loc=d3e534808-122878

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_SeniorNotes
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

The remaining balance of debt issuance expenses that were capitalized and are being amortized against income over the lives of the respective bond issues. This does not include the amounts capitalized as part of the cost of the utility plant or asset.

+ References

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_UnamortizedDebtIssuanceExpense
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_RangeAxis=us-gaap_MaximumMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_RangeAxis=us-gaap_MinimumMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_CreditFacilityAxis=us-gaap_SecuredDebtMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_CreditFacilityAxis=us-gaap_LineOfCreditMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_CreditFacilityAxis=us-gaap_RevolvingCreditFacilityMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_VariableRateAxis=us-gaap_LondonInterbankOfferedRateLIBORMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_VariableRateAxis=us-gaap_BaseRateMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis=pmtc_RevolvingLoanResetPeriodOneMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_StatementScenarioAxis=us-gaap_ScenarioForecastMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_BalanceSheetLocationAxis=us-gaap_OtherNoncurrentAssetsMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_AdjustmentsForNewAccountingPronouncementsAxis=us-gaap_AccountingStandardsUpdate201503Member
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

Debt (Details)		12 Months Ended
Debt (Details)	May 15, 2019	Sep. 30, 2017 USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2016 USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2015 USD ($) bank	Jul. 01, 2017 USD ($)	Jul. 02, 2016 USD ($)	May 31, 2016 USD ($)	Apr. 02, 2016 USD ($)
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Senior Notes		$ 500,000,000	$ 500,000,000				$ 500,000,000
Long-term Debt, Gross		718,125,000	758,125,000
Unamortized Debt Issuance Expense		(5,719,000)	(6,524,000)
debt net of unamortized debt issuance cost		712,406,000	751,601,000
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage							6.00%
Debt Instrument, Fair Value Disclosure		538,700,000
Additional borrowing capacity on credit facility if agreed to by lenders		$ 500,000,000
Voting interest in domestic subsidiaries pledged against credit facility		100.00%
Voting interest in foreign subsidiaries pledged against credit facility		65.00%
Investment limit in foreign subsidiaries		$ 75,000,000
Cash investment limit for acquisition of business		$ 200,000,000
Minimum fixed charge coverage ratio allowed under debt covenant		3.50
Leverage ratio, actual		2.82
Debt Instrument, Covenant Compliance, Senior Debt Leverage Ratio, actual		0.86
Fixed charge coverage ratio, actual		5.96
Credit facility, origination costs			6,900,000
Credit facility, periodic interest payment		$ 38,900,000	$ 13,300,000	$ 10,100,000
Credit facility, average interest rate during period		4.90%	3.00%	1.70%
Maximum [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Credit facility, variable interest rate, length of time between updates		180 days
Minimum [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Credit facility, variable interest rate, length of time between updates		30 days
Term Loan [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Number of banks in credit agreement \| bank				16
Line of Credit [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Credit facility, borrowings outstanding		$ 218,125,000	$ 258,125,000
Credit facility, current maximum amount					$ 600,000,000			$ 1,000,000,000
Debt Instrument, Covenant Compliance, Leverage Ratio Three					4.0
Credit facility, revolving loan, basis spread on federal funds effective rate		0.50%
Credit facility, revolving loan, basis spread on adjusted LIBOR		1.00%
Maximum leverage ratio allowed under debt covenant		4.50
Debt Instrument, Covenant Compliance, Senior Debt Leverage Ratio		3.0
Line of Credit [Member] \| Maximum [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Credit facility, revolving loan, commitment fees percentage		0.30%
Line of Credit [Member] \| Minimum [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Credit facility, revolving loan, commitment fees percentage		0.175%
Revolving Credit Facility [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Credit facility, current maximum amount						$ 900,000,000
LIBOR for Eurodollar-Based Borrowings [Member] \| Line of Credit [Member] \| Maximum [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Basis Spread on Variable Rate		1.75%
LIBOR for Eurodollar-Based Borrowings [Member] \| Line of Credit [Member] \| Minimum [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Basis Spread on Variable Rate		1.25%
Base Rate [Member] \| Line of Credit [Member] \| Maximum [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Basis Spread on Variable Rate		0.75%
Base Rate [Member] \| Line of Credit [Member] \| Minimum [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Basis Spread on Variable Rate		0.25%
Revolving Loan, Reset December 17, 2015 \| Term Loan [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Credit facility, term loan, interest rate at period end		3.125%
Scenario, Forecast [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Redemption Price, Percentage	101.00%
Other Noncurrent Assets [Member] \| Line of Credit [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Unamortized Debt Issuance Expense		$ (2,000,000)	(4,200,000)
Accounting Standards Update 2015-03 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Unamortized Debt Issuance Expense			$ (6,500,000)