v2.4.0.8

Operations - Additional Information (Detail) (Gen-Probe Incorporated [Member], USD $) In Billions, unless otherwise specified	Aug. 01, 2012
Gen-Probe Incorporated [Member]
Nature Of Operations [Line Items]
Debt obtained by the Company to finance the acquisition	$ 3.5

X

- Definition

Aggregate principal of debt obtained to finance the acquisition.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	holx_AggregatePrincipalOfDebtToFinanceAcquisition
Namespace Prefix:	holx_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

X

- Details

Name:	holx_NatureOfOperationsLineItems
Namespace Prefix:	holx_
Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration