Represents the number of shares purchased by the CEO resulting in a matching RSU grant.

No definition available.

Name:	holx_CommonStockPurchasedByEmployee
Namespace Prefix:	holx_
Data Type:	xbrli:sharesItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Fair value per share based on Monte Carlo simulation.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	holx_FairValuePerShareBasedOnMonteCarloSimulation
Namespace Prefix:	holx_
Data Type:	num:perShareItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Market stock units granted during period.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	holx_MarketStockUnitsGrantedDuringPeriod
Namespace Prefix:	holx_
Data Type:	xbrli:sharesItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Maximum target number percentage of shares issued based on stock performance.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	holx_MaximumTargetNumberOfSharesIssuedBasedOnStockPerformanceInPercent
Namespace Prefix:	holx_
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Minimum target number percentage of shares that would be issued based on stock price performance.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	holx_MinimumTargetNumberOfSharesIssuedOnStockPerformanceInPercent
Namespace Prefix:	holx_
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Number of shares issuable under employee stock purchase plan.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	holx_NumberOfSharesIssuableUnderEmployeeStockPurchasePlan
Namespace Prefix:	holx_
Data Type:	xbrli:sharesItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Percentage of award vested upon meeting defined market based criteria

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	holx_PercentageOfAwardVestedUponMeetingDefinedMarketBasedCriteria
Namespace Prefix:	holx_
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Represents the percentage applied to the lower of the common stock price at the beginning of the plan period and end of the plan period to determine the number of shares to be issued under the employee stock purchase plan.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	holx_PercentageOfPurchasePriceOfCommonStockLowerThanFairMarketValueOfCommonStockOnDateOfPurchase
Namespace Prefix:	holx_
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Represents the percentage of restricted stock units that vest annually per the terms of the typical restricted stock unit grant arrangement.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	holx_PercentageOfVestingForRestrictedStockUnitsGrantedToEmployees
Namespace Prefix:	holx_
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Represents the percentage of stock options that vest annually per the terms of the typical stock option grant arrangement.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	holx_PercentageOfVestingForStockGrantedToEmployees
Namespace Prefix:	holx_
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Share based compensation arrangement by share based payment award number of tranches.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	holx_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardNumberOfTranches
Namespace Prefix:	holx_
Data Type:	xbrli:integerItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Description of the estimated period of time over which an employee is required to provide service in exchange for the equity-based payment award, which often is the vesting period. This period may be explicit or implicit based on the terms of the award, and may be presented in a variety of ways (for example, year, month and year, day, month and year, quarter of a year)

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	holx_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardRestrictedStockUnitsVestingPeriod
Namespace Prefix:	holx_
Data Type:	xbrli:durationItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Share based compensation arrangement by share based payment award trading period considered for determination of average price

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	holx_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardTradingPeriodConsideredForDeterminationOfAveragePrice
Namespace Prefix:	holx_
Data Type:	xbrli:durationItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

The number of grants related to restricted stock which have a required condition to vest other than a service, performance or market condition and are required to be accounted for as a liability award.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	holx_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementRestrictedStockUnitsLiabilityAward
Namespace Prefix:	holx_
Data Type:	xbrli:sharesItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Stock-based compensation expense from the acceleration of stock options exchanged in an acquisition. Pursuant to the original terms of the stock options, in the event the employee was terminated after a change-in-control within a certain time period, vesting of the award would be accelerated.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	holx_ShareBasedCompensationExpenseArrangementAcceleratedVestingOfStockAwards
Namespace Prefix:	holx_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Maximum forfeiture rate applied to equity awards issued to certain employee groups to determine stock-based compensation expense for the period. The rate is based on an analysis of historical employee exercise and terminations patterns.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	holx_ShareBasedCompensationPercentageOfForfeitureRateMaximum
Namespace Prefix:	holx_
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Minimum forfeiture rate applied to equity awards issued to certain employee groups to determine stock-based compensation expense for the period. The rate is based on an analysis of historical employee exercise and terminations patterns.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	holx_ShareBasedCompensationPercentageOfForfeitureRateMinimum
Namespace Prefix:	holx_
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Share Portion Entitled To Purchase By Rights

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	holx_SharePortionEntitledToPurchaseByRights
Namespace Prefix:	holx_
Data Type:	xbrli:sharesItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Period of time that must lapse in order for the restricted stock units to vest.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	holx_SharedBasedCompensationArrangementRestrictedStockVestingPeriod
Namespace Prefix:	holx_
Data Type:	xbrli:durationItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Represents the expense recognized during the period arising from equity-based compensation arrangements (for example, shares of stock, unit, stock options or other equity instruments) with employees, directors and certain consultants qualifying for treatment as employees.

+ References

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

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 718

-SubTopic 10

-Section S99

-Paragraph 1

-Subparagraph (SAB TOPIC 14.F)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=27013229&loc=d3e301413-122809

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

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 718

-SubTopic 10

-Section 50

-Paragraph 1

-Subparagraph (b)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6415400&loc=d3e5047-113901

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

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 718

-SubTopic 10

-Section 50

-Paragraph 2

-Subparagraph (h)(1)(i)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6415400&loc=d3e5070-113901

Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher SEC

-Name Staff Accounting Bulletin (SAB)

-Number Topic 14

-Section F

+ Details

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

- Definition

Unrecognized cost of unvested share-based compensation awards.

+ References

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

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 718

-SubTopic 10

-Section 50

-Paragraph 2

-Subparagraph (i)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6415400&loc=d3e5070-113901

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_EmployeeServiceShareBasedCompensationNonvestedAwardsTotalCompensationCostNotYetRecognized
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Weighted average period over which unrecognized compensation is expected to be recognized for equity-based compensation plans, in 'PnYnMnDTnHnMnS' format, for example, 'P1Y5M13D' represents the reported fact of one year, five months, and thirteen days.

+ References

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_EmployeeServiceShareBasedCompensationNonvestedAwardsTotalCompensationCostNotYetRecognizedPeriodForRecognition1
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:durationItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

The total recognized tax benefit related to compensation cost for equity-based payment arrangements recognized in income during the period.

+ References

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

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 718

-SubTopic 10

-Section 50

-Paragraph 2

-Subparagraph (h)(1)(i)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6415400&loc=d3e5070-113901

+ Details

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

- Definition

The aggregate amount of noncash, equity-based employee remuneration. This may include the value of stock or unit options, amortization of restricted stock or units, and adjustment for officers' compensation. As noncash, this element is an add back when calculating net cash generated by operating activities using the indirect method.

+ 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 (a)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=31042434&loc=d3e3602-108585

+ Details

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

- Definition

Period which an employee's right to exercise an award is no longer contingent on satisfaction of either a service condition, market condition or a performance condition, in 'PnYnMnDTnHnMnS' format, for example, 'P1Y5M13D' represents the reported fact of one year, five months, and thirteen days.

+ References

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

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 718

-SubTopic 10

-Section 50

-Paragraph 2

-Subparagraph (a)(1)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6415400&loc=d3e5070-113901

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardVestingPeriod1
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:durationItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

The number of grants made during the period on other than stock (or unit) option plans (for example, phantom stock or unit plan, stock or unit appreciation rights plan, performance target plan).

+ References

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

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 718

-SubTopic 10

-Section 50

-Paragraph 2

-Subparagraph (c)(2)(iii)(1)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6415400&loc=d3e5070-113901

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsGrantsInPeriod
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:sharesItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Amount of cash paid related to share-based compensation liabilities.

+ References

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

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 718

-SubTopic 10

-Section 50

-Paragraph 2

-Subparagraph (d)(2)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6415400&loc=d3e5070-113901

+ Details

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

- Definition

Fair value of share-based awards for which the grantee gained the right by satisfying service and performance requirements, to receive or retain shares or units, other instruments, or cash.

+ References

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

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 718

-SubTopic 10

-Section 50

-Paragraph 2

-Subparagraph (d)(2)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6415400&loc=d3e5070-113901

+ Details

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

- Definition

Line items represent financial concepts included in a table. These concepts are used to disclose reportable information associated with domain members defined in one or many axes to the table.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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

- Definition

The maximum number of shares (or other type of equity) originally approved (usually by shareholders and board of directors), net of any subsequent amendments and adjustments, for awards under the equity-based compensation plan. As stock or unit options and equity instruments other than options are awarded to participants, the shares or units remain authorized and become reserved for issuance under outstanding awards (not necessarily vested).

+ References

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

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 718

-SubTopic 10

-Section 50

-Paragraph 2

-Subparagraph (a)(3)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6415400&loc=d3e5070-113901

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardNumberOfSharesAuthorized
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:sharesItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

The difference between the maximum number of shares (or other type of equity) authorized for issuance under the plan (including the effects of amendments and adjustments), and the sum of: 1) the number of shares (or other type of equity) already issued upon exercise of options or other equity-based awards under the plan; and 2) shares (or other type of equity) reserved for issuance on granting of outstanding awards, net of cancellations and forfeitures, if applicable.

+ References

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

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 718

-SubTopic 10

-Section 50

-Paragraph 2

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6415400&loc=d3e5070-113901

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardNumberOfSharesAvailableForGrant
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:sharesItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Amount of accumulated difference between fair value of underlying shares on dates of exercise and exercise price on options exercised (or share units converted) into shares.

+ References

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

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 718

-SubTopic 10

-Section 50

-Paragraph 2

-Subparagraph (d)(2)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6415400&loc=d3e5070-113901

+ Details

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

- Definition

Weighted average grant-date fair value of options vested.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_SharebasedCompensationArrangementBySharebasedPaymentAwardOptionsVestedWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	num:perShareItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Amount of stock repurchase plan authorized.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_StockRepurchaseProgramAuthorizedAmount1
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Period which shares may be purchased under a stock repurchase plan authorized by an entity's Board of Directors, in 'PnYnMnDTnHnMnS' format, for example, 'P1Y5M13D' represents the reported fact of one year, five months, and thirteen days.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_StockRepurchaseProgramPeriodInForce1
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:durationItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_StatementClassOfStockAxis=us-gaap_SeriesAPreferredStockMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis=us-gaap_StockOptionMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis=us-gaap_RestrictedStockUnitsRSUMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis=us-gaap_PerformanceSharesMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_PlanNameAxis=holx_TwoThousandEightEquityPlanMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_PlanNameAxis=holx_SemiAnnualEmployeeStockPurchasePlanMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_PlanNameAxis=holx_TwoThousandTwelveEmployeeStockPurchasePlanMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

Stockholders' Equity and Stock-Based Compensation - Additional Information (Detail) $ / shares in Units, $ in Millions	1 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013 tranche $ / shares shares	Mar. 31, 2012 shares	Sep. 26, 2015 USD ($) $ / shares shares	Sep. 27, 2014 USD ($) $ / shares shares	Sep. 28, 2013 USD ($)	Nov. 11, 2013 USD ($)
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Authorized value of common shares to be repurchased						$ 250.0
Period available for common stock to be repurchased			3 years
Market stock units granted during the period \| shares	100,000
Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award Number Of Tranches \| tranche	3
Percentage Of Award Vested Upon Meeting Defined Market Based Criteria	33.33%
Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award Trading Period Considered For Determination Of Average Price	30 days
Valuation of MSUs using Monte Carlo simulation model \| $ / shares	$ 18.65
Share Based Compensation Arrangement Restricted Stock Units Liability Award \| shares	200,000
Common Stock Purchased By Employee \| shares	200,000
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Share-based Liabilities Paid			$ 4.6
Minimum eligible percentage to receive target number of shares of company's common stock			0.00%
Maximum eligible percentage to receive target number of shares of company's common stock			200.00%
Stock-based compensation, period of vest term granted to employees, years			3 years
Percentage of forfeiture rates, minimum			0.00%
Percentage of forfeiture rates, maximum			7.00%
Tax benefit related to stock based compensation			$ 17.7	$ 15.3	$ 17.2
Expense related to the acceleration of vesting for certain options assumed in acquisition			4.1	6.6	7.9
Intrinsic value of option exercised			$ 42.0	34.7	37.6
Granted \| shares			1,600,000
Stock-based compensation expense			$ 59.3	50.0	52.3
Series A Preferred Stock [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Share portion entitled to purchase by right \| shares			0.0001
Stock Options [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Stock-based compensation, period of vest term granted to employees, years			5 years
Percentage of vesting for stock granted to employees			20.00%
Stock-based compensation expense			$ 12.2	16.3	23.7
Unrecognized compensation expense			$ 22.8
Weighted average period of unrecognized stock-based compensation, years			3 years 5 months
Restricted Stock Units [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Shared Based Compensation Arrangement Restricted Stock Vesting Period	3 years
Percentage of vesting for stock granted to employees			25.00%
RSU, period of vest term granted to employees, years			4 years
Stock-based compensation expense			$ 43.7	30.6	26.0
Unrecognized compensation expense			$ 73.6
Weighted average period of unrecognized stock-based compensation, years			2 years 6 months
Fair value of RSUs vested			$ 27.2	$ 22.6	27.3
Performance Shares [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Granted \| shares			300,000	500,000
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Vested, Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value \| $ / shares			$ 26.58	$ 21.69
2008 Equity Plan [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Common stock, shares authorized \| shares			31,500,000
Shares available for grant \| shares			9,500,000
2012 Employee Stock Purchase Plan [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Number of shares that may be issued under Employee Stock Purchase Plan \| shares		2,500,000
Percentage of common stock price for ESPP		85.00%
2012 Employee Stock Purchase Plan [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Stock-based compensation expense			$ 3.4	$ 3.1	$ 2.7