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Basis of Presentation and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Details) - USD ($)
shares in Millions
 1 Months Ended 3 Months Ended
May 31, 2014
Apr. 01, 2017
Apr. 02, 2016
Dec. 31, 2016
Basis of Presentation and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies [Abstract]        
Long-term investments   $ 7,000,000    
Acquired in-process research and development   5,000,000    
Potential payments under licensing arrangements   $ 7,000,000    
Cash Equivalents and Investments [Line Items]        
Cash equivalents description   Cash equivalents represent highly liquid investments, with original maturities of 90 days or less, while investments with longer maturities are classified as investments.    
Cash, cash equivalents and investments   $ 2,966,000,000   $ 2,813,000,000
Derivative [Line Items]        
Foreign currency exposure   The Company is a global company that operates in over 35 countries and, as a result, the Company’s net sales, cost of sales, operating expenses and balance sheet amounts are significantly impacted by fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates. The Company is exposed to currency price risk on foreign currency exchange rate fluctuations when it translates its non-U.S. dollar foreign subsidiaries’ financial statements into U.S. dollars, and when any of the Company’s subsidiaries purchase or sell products or services in a currency other than its own currency.    
Maturity period of foreign exchange contracts   The Company periodically aggregates its net worldwide balances by currency and then enters into foreign currency exchange contracts that mature within 90 days to hedge a portion of the remaining balance to minimize some of the Company’s currency price risk exposure.    
Notional amount of foreign exchange contracts   $ 124,000,000   120,000,000
Realized losses on foreign exchange contracts   (1,438,000) $ (1,895,000)  
Unrealized losses on foreign exchange contracts   (132,000) (28,000)  
Cumulative net pre-tax losses on foreign exchange contracts   (1,570,000) (1,923,000)  
Fair Value of Assets and Liabilities Measured on a Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]        
Marketable securities   2,601,038,000   2,432,195,000
Debt [Line Items]        
Long-term debt   1,642,099,000   1,701,966,000
Warranty Accrual Roll Forward [Abstract]        
Accrued warranty liability, balance at beginning of period   13,391,000 13,349,000  
Accruals for warranties   1,815,000 1,681,000  
Settlements made   (2,208,000) (2,198,000)  
Accrued warranty liability, balance at end of period   12,998,000 12,832,000  
Restructuring and Related Activities [Abstract]        
Restructuring charges   9,000,000 $ 3,000,000  
Restructuring reserve   6,000,000    
Fair Value Measurements, Recurring        
Fair Value of Assets and Liabilities Measured on a Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]        
Waters 401(k) Restoration Plan assets   32,894,000   30,954,000
Forward foreign exchange contract assets   183,000   60,000
Fair value of total assets measured on a recurring basis   2,634,115,000   2,463,209,000
Contingent consideration   3,010,000   3,007,000
Forward foreign exchange contract liabilities   985,000   730,000
Fair value of total liabilities measured on a recurring basis   3,995,000   3,737,000
Fair Value Measurements, Recurring | Quoted Prices in Active Market for Identical Assets (Level 1) [Member]        
Fair Value of Assets and Liabilities Measured on a Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]        
Waters 401(k) Restoration Plan assets   32,894,000   30,954,000
Fair value of total assets measured on a recurring basis   32,894,000   30,954,000
Fair Value Measurements, Recurring | Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2)        
Fair Value of Assets and Liabilities Measured on a Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]        
Forward foreign exchange contract assets   183,000   60,000
Fair value of total assets measured on a recurring basis   2,601,221,000   2,432,255,000
Forward foreign exchange contract liabilities   985,000   730,000
Fair value of total liabilities measured on a recurring basis   985,000   730,000
Fair Value Measurements, Recurring | Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3)        
Fair Value of Assets and Liabilities Measured on a Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]        
Contingent consideration   3,010,000   3,007,000
Fair value of total liabilities measured on a recurring basis   3,010,000   3,007,000
Held in currencies other than U.S. dollars [Member]        
Cash Equivalents and Investments [Line Items]        
Cash, cash equivalents and investments   $ 295,000,000   261,000,000
Programs authorized by Board of Directors [Member]        
Stock Repurchase Program [Line Items]        
Treasury stock shares acquired   0.5 0.7  
Treasury stock   $ 82,000,000 $ 89,000,000  
Related to Vesting of Restricted Stock Units [Member]        
Stock Repurchase Program [Line Items]        
Treasury stock   7,000,000 $ 6,000,000  
May 2014 Program [Member]        
Stock Repurchase Program [Line Items]        
Stock repurchase program authorization amount $ 750,000,000      
Stock repurchase program remaining amount authorized for future purchases   41,000,000    
Stock repurchase program period 3 years      
US Treasury Securities | Fair Value Measurements, Recurring        
Fair Value of Assets and Liabilities Measured on a Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]        
Marketable securities   522,012,000   570,313,000
US Treasury Securities | Fair Value Measurements, Recurring | Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2)        
Fair Value of Assets and Liabilities Measured on a Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]        
Marketable securities   522,012,000   570,313,000
Foreign Government Debt Securities | Fair Value Measurements, Recurring        
Fair Value of Assets and Liabilities Measured on a Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]        
Marketable securities   3,981,000   17,991,000
Foreign Government Debt Securities | Fair Value Measurements, Recurring | Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2)        
Fair Value of Assets and Liabilities Measured on a Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]        
Marketable securities   3,981,000   17,991,000
Corporate Debt Securities | Fair Value Measurements, Recurring        
Fair Value of Assets and Liabilities Measured on a Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]        
Marketable securities   1,769,436,000   1,643,838,000
Corporate Debt Securities | Fair Value Measurements, Recurring | Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2)        
Fair Value of Assets and Liabilities Measured on a Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]        
Marketable securities   1,769,436,000   1,643,838,000
Time Deposits | Fair Value Measurements, Recurring        
Fair Value of Assets and Liabilities Measured on a Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]        
Marketable securities   305,462,000   199,906,000
Time Deposits | Fair Value Measurements, Recurring | Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2)        
Fair Value of Assets and Liabilities Measured on a Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]        
Marketable securities   305,462,000   199,906,000
Equity Securities | Fair Value Measurements, Recurring        
Fair Value of Assets and Liabilities Measured on a Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]        
Marketable securities   147,000   147,000
Equity Securities | Fair Value Measurements, Recurring | Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2)        
Fair Value of Assets and Liabilities Measured on a Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]        
Marketable securities   147,000   147,000
Unsecured debt        
Debt [Line Items]        
Long-term debt   700,000,000   700,000,000
Unsecured debt | Fixed interest rate [Member]        
Debt [Line Items]        
Long-term debt   610,000,000   610,000,000
Fair value of debt instrument   608,000,000   603,000,000
Held by foreign subsidiaries [Member]        
Cash Equivalents and Investments [Line Items]        
Cash, cash equivalents and investments   $ 2,929,000,000   $ 2,766,000,000