CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Tanger Factory Outlet Centers, Inc. [Member]	Tanger Factory Outlet Centers, Inc. [Member] Common shares [Member]	Tanger Factory Outlet Centers, Inc. [Member] Paid in capital [Member]	Tanger Factory Outlet Centers, Inc. [Member] Accumulated distributions in excess of earnings [Member]	Tanger Factory Outlet Centers, Inc. [Member] Accumulated other comprehensive loss [Member]	Tanger Factory Outlet Centers, Inc. [Member] Total parent equity [Member]	Tanger Factory Outlet Centers, Inc. [Member] Noncontrolling interests [Member] Limited partners [Member]	Tanger Factory Outlet Centers, Inc. [Member] Noncontrolling interests [Member] Other consolidated partnerships [Member]	Tanger Properties Limited Partnership [Member]	Tanger Properties Limited Partnership [Member] Accumulated other comprehensive loss [Member]	Tanger Properties Limited Partnership [Member] Total parent equity [Member]	Tanger Properties Limited Partnership [Member] Noncontrolling interests [Member]	Tanger Properties Limited Partnership [Member] General partner [Member]	Tanger Properties Limited Partnership [Member] Limited partners [Member]
Beginning Balance at Dec. 31, 2016	$ 705,441	$ 961	$ 820,251	$ (122,701)	$ (28,295)	$ 670,216	$ 35,066	$ 159
Beginning Balance at Dec. 31, 2016										$ (29,834)	$ 705,282	$ 159	$ 6,485	$ 728,631
Balance, partners' capital, including portion attributable to noncontrolling interest at Dec. 31, 2016									$ 705,441
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Net income	54,461			51,726		51,726	2,735	0	54,461		54,461		539	53,922
Other comprehensive loss	4,262				4,048	4,048	214		4,262	4,262	4,262
Compensation under Incentive Award Plan	7,306		7,306			7,306			7,306		7,306			7,306
Issuance of common shares upon exercise of options	54		54			54
Issuance of common units upon exercise of options									54		54			54
Grant of restricted common share awards, net of forfeitures		4	(4)
Repurchased of common shares including transaction costs	(39,354)	(15)	(39,339)			(39,354)			(39,354)		(39,354)			(39,354)
Withholding of common shares/units for employee income taxes	(2,435)		(2,435)			(2,435)			(2,435)		(2,435)			(2,435)
Adjustment for noncontrolling interests in Operating Partnership			1,422			1,422	(1,422)
Common distributions									(68,606)		(68,606)		(668)	(67,938)
Common dividends	(65,250)			(65,250)		(65,250)
Distributions to noncontrolling interests	(3,356)						(3,356)
Ending Balance at Jun. 30, 2017	661,129	950	787,255	(136,225)	(24,247)	627,733	33,237	159
Ending Balance at Jun. 30, 2017										(25,572)	660,970	159	6,356	680,186
Balance, partners' capital, including portion attributable to noncontrolling interest at Jun. 30, 2017									661,129
Beginning Balance at Mar. 31, 2017					(26,632)
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Net income	30,947								30,947
Other comprehensive loss	2,530								2,530
Ending Balance at Jun. 30, 2017	661,129	950	787,255	(136,225)	(24,247)	627,733	33,237	159
Ending Balance at Jun. 30, 2017										(25,572)	660,970	159	6,356	680,186
Balance, partners' capital, including portion attributable to noncontrolling interest at Jun. 30, 2017									661,129
Beginning Balance at Dec. 31, 2017	612,302	946	784,782	(184,865)	(19,285)	581,578	30,724	0
Beginning Balance at Dec. 31, 2017									612,302	(20,345)	612,302	0	5,844	626,803
Balance, partners' capital, including portion attributable to noncontrolling interest at Dec. 31, 2017									612,302
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Net income	47,975			45,807		45,807	2,446	(278)	47,975		48,253	(278)	485	47,768
Other comprehensive loss	(1,514)				(1,437)	(1,437)	(77)		(1,514)	(1,514)	(1,514)
Compensation under Incentive Award Plan	7,596		7,596			7,596			7,596		7,596			7,596
Grant of restricted common share awards, net of forfeitures		3	(3)
Repurchased of common shares including transaction costs	(19,998)	(9)	(19,989)			(19,998)			(19,998)		(19,998)			(19,998)
Withholding of common shares/units for employee income taxes	(2,068)	(1)	(2,067)			(2,068)			(2,068)		(2,068)			(2,068)
Contributions from noncontrolling interests	445							445	445			445
Adjustment for noncontrolling interests in Operating Partnership			558			558	(558)
Common distributions									(68,907)		(68,907)		(692)	(68,215)
Common dividends	(65,448)			(65,448)		(65,448)
Distributions to noncontrolling interests	(3,626)						(3,459)	(167)	(167)			(167)
Ending Balance at Jun. 30, 2018	575,664	939	770,877	(204,506)	(20,722)	546,588	29,076	0
Ending Balance at Jun. 30, 2018									575,664	(21,859)	575,664	0	5,637	591,886
Balance, partners' capital, including portion attributable to noncontrolling interest at Jun. 30, 2018									575,664
Beginning Balance at Mar. 31, 2018					(19,623)
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Net income	24,290								24,290
Other comprehensive loss	(1,158)								(1,158)
Ending Balance at Jun. 30, 2018	$ 575,664	$ 939	$ 770,877	$ (204,506)	$ (20,722)	$ 546,588	$ 29,076	$ 0
Ending Balance at Jun. 30, 2018									575,664	$ (21,859)	$ 575,664	$ 0	$ 5,637	$ 591,886
Balance, partners' capital, including portion attributable to noncontrolling interest at Jun. 30, 2018									$ 575,664