v2.4.0.6

Segment Information (Reconciliation Of Company's Consolidated Segment Operating Income To Consolidated Income Before Income Taxes) (Detail) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 29, 2012	Jul. 01, 2011	Jun. 29, 2012	Jul. 01, 2011
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Consolidated segment operating income	$ 115,633	$ 89,453	$ 228,768	$ 167,266
Unallocated corporate expense	(19,819)	(18,006)	(39,543)	(33,889)
Amortization of purchased intangible assets	(29,078)	(16,576)	(57,875)	(32,641)
Acquisition costs	(7,815)	(3,304)	(12,581)	(5,494)
Consolidated operating income	58,921	51,567	118,769	95,242
Non-operating income, net	4,370	8,631	4,849	11,237
Consolidated income before taxes	$ 63,291	$ 60,198	$ 123,618	$ 106,479

X

- Definition

Segment Reporting Information Consolidated Segment Operating Income

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	trmb_SegmentReportingInformationConsolidatedSegmentOperatingIncome
Namespace Prefix:	trmb_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

X

- Definition

Segment Reporting Information Unallocated Corporate Expense

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	trmb_SegmentReportingInformationUnallocatedCorporateExpense
Namespace Prefix:	trmb_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

X

- Definition

The capitalized costs incurred during the period (excluded from amortization) to purchase, lease or otherwise acquire an unproved property, including costs of lease bonuses and options to purchase or lease properties, the portion of costs applicable to minerals when land including mineral rights is purchased in fee, brokers' fees, recording fees, legal costs, and other costs incurred in acquiring properties.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 932

-SubTopic 10

-Section S99

-Paragraph 1

-Subparagraph (SX 210.4-10.(c)(7)(ii))

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=21918352&loc=d3e511914-122862



Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher SEC

-Name Regulation S-X (SX)

-Number 210

-Section 10

-Paragraph c

-Subparagraph 3(ii)(A)

-Article 4

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_AcquisitionCosts
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

X

- Definition

The aggregate amount of recurring noncash expense charged against earnings in the period to allocate the cost of assets over their estimated remaining economic lives.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 230

-SubTopic 10

-Section 45

-Paragraph 28

-Subparagraph (b)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6943989&loc=d3e3602-108585

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_AdjustmentForAmortization
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

X

- Definition

Sum of operating profit and nonoperating income or expense before Income or Loss from equity method investments, income taxes, extraordinary items, and noncontrolling interest.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 235

-SubTopic 10

-Section S99

-Paragraph 1

-Subparagraph (SX 210.4-08.(h)(1)(i))

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6881521&loc=d3e23780-122690



Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher SEC

-Name Regulation S-X (SX)

-Number 210

-Section 08

-Paragraph h

-Subparagraph 1(i)

-Article 4

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_IncomeLossFromContinuingOperationsBeforeIncomeTaxesMinorityInterestAndIncomeLossFromEquityMethodInvestments
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

X

- Definition

The aggregate amount of income or expense from ancillary business-related activities (that is to say, excluding major activities considered part of the normal operations of the business).

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 225

-SubTopic 10

-Section S99

-Paragraph 2

-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-03.7)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6880815&loc=d3e20235-122688



Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher SEC

-Name Regulation S-X (SX)

-Number 210

-Section 03

-Paragraph 7

-Article 5

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_NonoperatingIncomeExpense
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

X

- Definition

The net result for the period of deducting operating expenses from operating revenues.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_OperatingIncomeLoss
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

X

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_SegmentReportingInformationLineItems
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration