Summary of Accounting Policies - (Policies)	9 Months Ended
Oct. 02, 2021
Accounting Policies [Abstract]
Principles of consolidation and presentation	Principles of consolidation and presentation The Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements include the accounts of Snap-on Incorporated and its wholly owned and majority-owned subsidiaries (collectively, “Snap-on” or the “company”). These financial statements should be read in conjunction with, and have been prepared in conformity with, the accounting principles reflected in the consolidated financial statements and related notes included in Snap-on’s 2020 Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended January 2, 2021 (“2020 year end”). The company’s 2021 fiscal year, which ends on January 1, 2022, will contain 52 weeks of operating results. The company’s 2020 fiscal year contained 53 weeks of operating results, with the additional week occurring in the fourth quarter. Snap-on’s 2021 fiscal third quarter ended on October 2, 2021; the 2020 fiscal third quarter ended on September 26, 2020. The company’s 2021 and 2020 fiscal third quarters each contained 13 weeks of operating results. Snap-on’s Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements are prepared in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States of America (“GAAP”). In the opinion of management, all adjustments (consisting of normal recurring adjustments) necessary for the fair presentation of the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements for the three and nine month periods ended October 2, 2021, and September 26, 2020, have been made. Interim results of operations are not necessarily indicative of the results to be expected for the full fiscal year.
Use of Estimates	Use of Estimates The preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements, and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.
Financial Instruments	Financial Instruments The fair value of the company’s derivative financial instruments is generally determined using quoted prices in active markets for similar assets and liabilities. The carrying value of the company’s non-derivative financial instruments either approximates fair value, due to their short-term nature, or the amount disclosed for fair value is based upon a discounted cash flow analysis or quoted market values. See Note 10 for further information on financial instruments.
New Accounting Standards	New Accounting Standards On January 3, 2021, the beginning of Snap-on’s 2021 fiscal year, the company adopted ASU No. 2019-12, Simplifying the Accounting for Income Taxes, which is designed to simplify the accounting for income taxes by removing certain exceptions to the general principles in Topic 740. The adoption of this ASU did not have a significant impact on the company’s Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.

Summary of Accounting Policies - (Policies)

9 Months Ended

Oct. 02, 2021

Principles of consolidation and presentation

The Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements include the accounts of Snap-on Incorporated and its wholly owned and majority-owned subsidiaries (collectively, “Snap-on” or the “company”). These financial statements should be read in conjunction with, and have been prepared in conformity with, the accounting principles reflected in the consolidated financial statements and related notes included in Snap-on’s 2020 Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended January 2, 2021 (“2020 year end”).

The company’s 2021 fiscal year, which ends on January 1, 2022, will contain 52 weeks of operating results. The company’s 2020 fiscal year contained 53 weeks of operating results, with the additional week occurring in the fourth quarter. Snap-on’s 2021 fiscal third quarter ended on October 2, 2021; the 2020 fiscal third quarter ended on September 26, 2020. The company’s 2021 and 2020 fiscal third quarters each contained 13 weeks of operating results. Snap-on’s Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements are prepared in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States of America (“GAAP”).

In the opinion of management, all adjustments (consisting of normal recurring adjustments) necessary for the fair presentation of the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements for the three and nine month periods ended October 2, 2021, and September 26, 2020, have been made. Interim results of operations are not necessarily indicative of the results to be expected for the full fiscal year.

Use of Estimates

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements, and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

Financial Instruments

The fair value of the company’s derivative financial instruments is generally determined using quoted prices in active markets for similar assets and liabilities. The carrying value of the company’s non-derivative financial instruments either approximates fair value, due to their short-term nature, or the amount disclosed for fair value is based upon a discounted cash flow analysis or quoted market values. See Note 10 for further information on financial instruments.

New Accounting Standards

On January 3, 2021, the beginning of Snap-on’s 2021 fiscal year, the company adopted ASU No. 2019-12, Simplifying the Accounting for Income Taxes, which is designed to simplify the accounting for income taxes by removing certain exceptions to the general principles in Topic 740. The adoption of this ASU did not have a significant impact on the company’s Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.