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Document and Entity Information - USD ($)
 6 Months Ended
Jul. 02, 2016
Jul. 29, 2016
Document and Entity Information [Abstract]    
Entity Registrant Name WATERS CORP /DE/  
Entity Trading Symbol WAT  
Entity Central Index Key 0001000697  
Document Type 10-Q  
Document Fiscal Period Focus Q2  
Document Period End Date Jul. 02, 2016  
Amendment Flag false  
Document Fiscal Year Focus 2016  
Current Fiscal Year End Date --12-31  
Entity Well-known Seasoned Issuer Yes  
Entity Voluntary Filers No  
Entity Current Reporting Status Yes  
Entity Filer Category Large Accelerated Filer  
Entity Public Float $ 11,522,067,374  
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding   80,573,959