Receivables - Components of Current Finance and Contract Receivables (Parenthetical) (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Millions	Apr. 01, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Receivables [Abstract]
Unearned finance charges, finance receivables	$ 17.9	$ 17.0
Unearned finance charges, contract receivable	$ 15.9	$ 15.6

Deferred discounts finance charges and interest included in notes and loans receivable current.

No definition available.

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