Document And Entity Information (USD $)	3 Months Ended
	Apr. 01, 2012	Apr. 13, 2012	Jun. 30, 2011
Entity Registrant Name	Minerals Technologies Inc
Entity Central Index Key	0000891014
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--12-31
Entity Well-known Seasoned Issuer	Yes
Entity Voluntary Filers	No
Entity Current Reporting Status	No
Entity Filer Category	Large Accelerated Filer
Entity Public Float			$ 1,200,000,000
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		17,748,531
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2012
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q1
Document Type	10-Q
Amendment Flag	false
Document Period End Date	Apr. 01, 2012