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Summary of Accounting Policies (Details) (USD $)
 12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2011
Dec. 31, 2010
Dec. 31, 2009
Summary of Accounting Policies - (Details) [Abstract]      
Nature of the Business
Nature of the Business - Roper is a diversified growth company that designs, manufactures and distributes energy systems and controls, medical and scientific imaging products and software, industrial technology products and radio frequency products and services. Roper markets these products and services to selected segments of a broad range of markets, including radio frequency applications, medical, water, energy, research, education, software-as-a-service ("SaaS")-based information networks, security and other niche markets.
    
Allowance for doubtful accounts and sales allowances $ 10,600,000 $ 10,300,000  
Basic shares outstanding 95,959,000 94,242,000 90,685,000
Effect of potential common stock      
Common stock awards 1,213,000 1,009,000 853,000
Senior subordinated convertible notes 1,214,000 1,402,000 1,282,000
Diluted shares outstanding 98,386,000 96,653,000 92,820,000
Goodwill impairment method
Goodwill, which is not amortized, is tested for impairment on an annual basis (or an interim basis if an event occurs or circumstances change that would more likely than not reduce the fair value of a reporting unit below its carrying value) using a two-step process. The first step of the process utilizes both an income approach (discounted cash flows) and a market approach consisting of a comparable public company earnings multiples methodology to estimate the fair value of a reporting unit.  To determine the reasonableness of the estimated fair values, the Company reviews the assumptions to ensure that neither the income approach nor the market approach provides significantly different valuations.  If the estimated fair value exceeds the carrying value, no further work is required and no impairment loss is recognized.  If the carrying value exceeds the estimated fair value, the goodwill of the reporting unit is potentially impaired and then the second step would be completed in order to measure the impairment loss by calculating the implied fair value of goodwill by deducting the fair value of all tangible and intangible net assets (including unrecognized intangible assets) of the reporting unit from the fair value of the reporting unit.  If the implied fair value of goodwill is less than the carrying value of goodwill, an impairment loss would be recognized.

Key assumptions used in the income and market methodologies are updated when the analysis is performed for each reporting unit.  Various assumptions are utilized including forecasted operating results, strategic plans, economic projections, anticipated future cash flows, the weighted average cost of capital, comparable transactions, market data and earnings multiples.  The assumptions that have the most significant effect on the fair value calculations are the anticipated future cash flows, discount rates, and the earnings multiples.  While the Company uses reasonable and timely information to prepare its cash flow and discount rate assumptions, actual future cash flows or market conditions could differ significantly resulting in future impairment charges related to recorded goodwill balances.
    
Total goodwill reporting units 26    
Minimum carrying value of goodwill 0    
Maximum carrying value of goodwill 536,000,000    
The approximate amount of earnings of foreign subsidiaries 874,000,000    
Increase in the liability for unrecognized tax benefits 3,800,000    
Capitalized software 14,100,000 17,300,000  
Research and development costs 121,700,000 102,400,000 83,400,000
Contract revenue recognized under the percentage-of-completion method $ 151,500,000 $ 131,000,000 $ 142,500,000
New Accounting Pronouncements or Change in Accounting Principle [Line Items]      
New Accounting Pronouncement or Change in Accounting Principle, Name In October 2009, the FASB issued amendments to the accounting and disclosure for revenue recognition    
New Accounting Pronouncement or Change in Accounting Principle, Description These amendments, effective for fiscal years beginning on or after June 15, 2010, modify the criteria for recognizing revenue in multiple element arrangements and the scope of what constitutes a non-software deliverable.  The Company implemented the amendments on January 1, 2011.  The impact on its results of operations, financial condition and cash flows was immaterial.    
Buildings [Member]
      
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]      
Estimated useful life, minimum (in years) 20    
Estimated useful life, maximum (in years) 30    
Machinery and equipment [Member]
      
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]      
Estimated useful life, minimum (in years) 8    
Estimated useful life, maximum (in years) 12    
Office Equipment [Member]
      
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]      
Estimated useful life, minimum (in years) 3    
Estimated useful life, maximum (in years) 5