CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY Parenthetical (USD $) In Millions, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2011 Units years	Sep. 30, 2010
Tanger Factory Outlet Centers, Inc | Common Stock [Member]
Stock Issued During Period, Shares, New Issues	4,600,000
Tanger Factory Outlet Centers, Inc
Common shares issued, upon exercise of options	7,500	106,700
Preferred dividends		$ 1.41
Restricted shares granted, net of forfeitures	312,400	312,720
Stock Issued During Period, Shares, Conversion of Convrtible Securities	136,360
Common dividends	$ 0.5938	$ 0.5788
Payments of Stock Issuance Costs	$ 0.5
Number of Operating Partnership Units Exchanged for Company Common Shares	160,332
Partners' Capital Account, Units, Converted	641,328
Tanger Properties Limited Partnership
Common units issued, upon exercise of options	1,875,000
Units Issued	1,200,000
Preferred distributions		1.41
Common distributions	2.375	2.315
Payments of Stock Issuance Costs	$ 0.5