Receivables - Components of Finance and Contract Receivables Beyond One Year (Detail) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Apr. 04, 2015	Jan. 03, 2015
Receivables [Abstract]
Finance receivables, net of unearned finance charges of $9.7 million and $9.9 million, respectively	$ 688.3	$ 671.0
Contract receivables, net of unearned finance charges of $19.7 million and $19.4 million, respectively	247.5sna_ContractReceivableGrossNoncurrent	244.5sna_ContractReceivableGrossNoncurrent
Total	935.8	915.5
Allowances for doubtful accounts, finance receivables	(21.1)	(20.5)
Allowances for doubtful accounts, contract receivables	(2.8)	(2.5)
Total	(23.9)	(23.0)
Total long-term finance and contract receivables - net	911.9	892.5
Finance receivables - net	667.2	650.5
Contract receivables - net	244.7sna_ContractReceivablesNetNoncurrent	242.0sna_ContractReceivablesNetNoncurrent
Total long-term finance and contract receivables - net	$ 911.9	$ 892.5

Allowance for contracts receivable, noncurrent.

No definition available.

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- Definition

Allowance for notes and loans and contract receivables noncurrent.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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- Definition

Contract receivable, gross, noncurrent.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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- Definition

Contract receivables net noncurrent.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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- Definition

Notes and loans and contract receivable gross non-current.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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Namespace Prefix:	sna_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
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- Definition

Notes and loans and contract receivables net non current.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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- Definition

A valuation allowance relating to a written agreement to receive money (at a specified future date(s) more than one year from the reporting date, consisting of principal as well as any accrued interest) for the portion that is expected to be uncollectible.

+ References

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

-Publisher SEC

-Name Regulation S-X (SX)

-Number 210

-Section 02

-Paragraph 4

-Article 5

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

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 310

-SubTopic 10

-Section 50

-Paragraph 4

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=35738203&loc=d3e5074-111524

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 210

-SubTopic 10

-Section S99

-Paragraph 1

-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02.4)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6877327&loc=d3e13212-122682

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- Definition

An amount representing an agreement for an unconditional promise by the maker to pay the Entity (holder) a definite sum of money at a future date(s) more than one year from the balance sheet date. Such amount may include accrued interest receivable in accordance with the terms of the debt. The debt also may contain provisions and related items including a discount or premium, payable on demand, secured, or unsecured, interest bearing or noninterest bearing, among a myriad of other features and characteristics. This amount does not include amounts related to receivables held-for-sale.

+ References

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

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 210

-SubTopic 10

-Section S99

-Paragraph 1

-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02.17)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6877327&loc=d3e13212-122682

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

-Publisher SEC

-Name Regulation S-X (SX)

-Number 210

-Section 02

-Paragraph 17

-Article 5

+ Details

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- Definition

An amount representing an agreement for an unconditional promise by the maker to pay the Entity (holder) a definite sum of money at a future date more than one year from the balance sheet date, net of any write-downs taken for collection uncertainty on the part of the holder. Such amount may include accrued interest receivable in accordance with the terms of the debt. The debt also may contain provisions and related items including a discount or premium, payable on demand, secured, or unsecured, interest bearing or noninterest bearing, among a myriad of other features and characteristics. This amount does not include amounts related to receivables held-for-sale.

+ References

+ Details

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