A valuation allowance for trade and other receivables due to an Entity within one year (or the normal operating cycle, whichever is longer) that are expected to be uncollectible. This element also includes the total deduction from sales during the period arising from goods returned by customers (other than under warranty provisions) and price reductions given by the entity due to defective or nonconforming goods. Returns and allowances are a deduction from gross revenue in arriving at net revenue.

No definition available.

Summary of Accounting Policies (Details) (USD $) In Millions, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010
Summary of Accounting Policies [Abstract]
Allowance for doubtful accounts and sales allowances	$ 16.0	$ 10.6
Basic shares outstanding	97,702,000	95,959,000	94,242,000
Effect of potential common stock
Common stock awards	1,040,000	1,213,000	1,009,000
Senior subordinated convertible notes	816,000	1,214,000	1,402,000
Diluted shares outstanding	99,558,000	98,386,000	96,653,000
Antidilutive stock options (in shares)	547,591	760,000	1,143,350
Goodwill impairment method	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
Total goodwill reporting units	27
Minimum carrying value of goodwill	0
Maximum carrying value of goodwill	992
The approximate amount of earnings of foreign subsidiaries	1.05
Capitalized software	10.9	14.1
Research and development costs	125.9	121.7	102.4
Contract revenue recognized under the percentage-of-completion method	$ 145.5	$ 151.5	$ 131.0
Amendment to intangibles testing [Member]
New Accounting Pronouncements or Change in Accounting Principle [Line Items]
New Accounting Pronouncement or Change in Accounting Principle, Name	amendment to accounting rules related to the testing of indefinite-lived intangibles
New Accounting Pronouncement or Change in Accounting Principle, Description	In July 2012, the Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") issued an amendment to accounting rules related to the testing of indefinite-lived intangibles. The new accounting rules permit an entity to first assess qualitative factors to determine if it is more likely than not that an indefinite-lived asset is impaired as a basis for determining whether it is necessary to perform the quantitative impairment test prescribed under current accounting rules. The guidance is effective for annual and interim tests performed for fiscal years beginning after September 15, 2012. The Company does not expect these rules to have a material effect on its results of operations, financial position or cash flows.
Guidance On The Measurement Of Liabilities At Fair Value [Member]
New Accounting Pronouncements or Change in Accounting Principle [Line Items]
New Accounting Pronouncement or Change in Accounting Principle, Name	amendment to accounting and disclosures related to fair value measurement
New Accounting Pronouncement or Change in Accounting Principle, Description	In May 2011, the FASB issued an amendment to accounting and disclosures related to fair value measurement. This amendment results in common principles and requirements for measuring fair value and for disclosing information about fair value measurements in accordance with GAAP and International Financial Reporting Standards. Roper adopted this guidance on January 1, 2012. The guidance did not have a material impact on the Company's results of operations, financial position or cash flows.
Presentation Of Comprehensive Income [Member]
New Accounting Pronouncements or Change in Accounting Principle [Line Items]
New Accounting Pronouncement or Change in Accounting Principle, Name	amendment to the disclosure of comprehensive income
New Accounting Pronouncement or Change in Accounting Principle, Description	In June 2011, the FASB issued an amendment to the disclosure of comprehensive income. This amendment requires the presentation of total comprehensive income, the components of net income, and the components of other comprehensive income either in a single continuous statement of comprehensive income or in two separate but consecutive statements. Roper adopted this guidance on January 1, 2012. The guidance did not have an impact on the Company's results of operations, financial position or cash flows as it is disclosure only in nature.
Modification Of Goodwill Impairment Testing [Member]
New Accounting Pronouncements or Change in Accounting Principle [Line Items]
New Accounting Pronouncement or Change in Accounting Principle, Name	new accounting rules related to testing goodwill for impairment
New Accounting Pronouncement or Change in Accounting Principle, Description	In September 2011, the FASB issued new accounting rules related to testing goodwill for impairment. The new accounting rules permit an entity to first assess qualitative factors to determine if it is more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying value. If it is concluded that this is the case, it is necessary to perform the two-step goodwill impairment test prescribed under current accounting rules. Otherwise, the two-step goodwill impairment test is not required. Roper adopted this guidance on January 1, 2012. The guidance did not have a material effect on its results of operations, financial position or cash flows.
Buildings [Member] \| Minimum [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Estimated useful life	20 years
Buildings [Member] \| Maximum [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Estimated useful life	30 years
Machinery and equipment [Member] \| Minimum [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Estimated useful life	8 years
Machinery and equipment [Member] \| Maximum [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Estimated useful life	12 years
Office Equipment [Member] \| Minimum [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Estimated useful life	3 years
Office Equipment [Member] \| Maximum [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Estimated useful life	5 years