Receivables (Components Of Finance And Contract Receivables Beyond One Year) (Parenthetical) (Detail) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 29, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Unearned finance charges, finance receivables	$ 11.8	$ 9.4
Unearned finance charges, contract receivable	$ 18.1	$ 12.1

Deferred Discounts Finance Charges And Interest Included In Notes And Loans Receivable Non Current

No definition available.

Name:	sna_DeferredDiscountsFinanceChargesAndInterestIncludedInNotesAndLoansReceivableNonCurrent
Namespace Prefix:	sna_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant