Earnings Per Share (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, except Share data	3 Months Ended	9 Months Ended
Sep. 30, 2011	Oct. 01, 2010	Sep. 30, 2011	Oct. 01, 2010
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]
Net income attributable to Trimble Navigation Ltd.	$ 27,971	$ 32,845	$ 121,352	$ 67,096
Weighted average number of common shares used in basic earnings per share	122,969,000	119,474,000	122,485,000	120,296,000
Common stock options and restricted stock units	2,925,000	3,395,000	3,495,000	3,303,000
Weighted average number of common shares and dilutive potential common shares used in diluted earnings per	125,894,000	122,869,000	125,980,000	123,599,000
Basic earnings per share	$ 0.23	$ 0.27	$ 0.99	$ 0.56
Diluted earnings per share	$ 0.22	$ 0.27	$ 0.96	$ 0.54
Shares excluded from calculation of diluted earnings per share	2,900,000	2,300,000	1,600,000	2,200,000

Securities (including those issuable pursuant to contingent stock agreements) that could potentially dilute basic earnings per share (EPS) or earnings per unit (EPU) in the future that were not included in the computation of diluted EPS or EPU because to do so would increase EPS or EPU amounts or decrease loss per share or unit amounts for the period presented.

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-Glossary Contingent Stock Agreement

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6508534

+ Details

- Definition

The amount of net income (loss) for the period per each share of common stock or unit outstanding during the reporting period.

+ References

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+ Details

- Definition

The amount of net income (loss) for the period available to each share of common stock or common unit outstanding during the reporting period and to each share or unit that would have been outstanding assuming the issuance of common shares or units for all dilutive potential common shares or units outstanding during the reporting period.

+ References+ Details

- Definition

The portion of profit or loss for the period, net of income taxes, which is attributable to the parent.

+ References

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-Glossary Other Comprehensive Income

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+ Details

- Definition

The average number of shares or units issued and outstanding that are used in calculating diluted EPS or earnings per unit (EPU), determined based on the timing of issuance of shares or units in the period.

+ References+ Details

- Definition

Number of [basic] shares or units, after adjustment for contingently issuable shares or units and other shares or units not deemed outstanding, determined by relating the portion of time within a reporting period that common shares or units have been outstanding to the total time in that period.

+ References

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