<?xml version='1.0' encoding='utf-8'?>
<FilingSummary>
  <Version>3.10.0.1</Version>
  <ProcessingTime/>
  <ReportFormat>html</ReportFormat>
  <ContextCount>317</ContextCount>
  <ElementCount>266</ElementCount>
  <EntityCount>1</EntityCount>
  <FootnotesReported>false</FootnotesReported>
  <SegmentCount>67</SegmentCount>
  <ScenarioCount>0</ScenarioCount>
  <TuplesReported>false</TuplesReported>
  <UnitCount>6</UnitCount>
  <MyReports>
    <Report instance="txt-20180929.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R1.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>00090 - Document - Document and Entity Information</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.textron.com/role/DocumentDocumentAndEntityInformation</Role>
      <ShortName>Document and Entity Information</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Cover</MenuCategory>
      <Position>1</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="txt-20180929.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R2.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>00100 - Statement - Consolidated Statements of Operations</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.textron.com/role/StatementConsolidatedStatementsOfOperations</Role>
      <ShortName>Consolidated Statements of Operations</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Statements</MenuCategory>
      <Position>2</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="txt-20180929.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R3.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>00200 - Statement - Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.textron.com/role/StatementConsolidatedStatementsOfComprehensiveIncome</Role>
      <ShortName>Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Statements</MenuCategory>
      <Position>3</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="txt-20180929.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R4.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>00300 - Statement - Consolidated Balance Sheets</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.textron.com/role/StatementConsolidatedBalanceSheets</Role>
      <ShortName>Consolidated Balance Sheets</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Statements</MenuCategory>
      <Position>4</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="txt-20180929.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R5.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>00305 - Statement - Consolidated Balance Sheets (Parenthetical)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.textron.com/role/StatementConsolidatedBalanceSheetsParenthetical</Role>
      <ShortName>Consolidated Balance Sheets (Parenthetical)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Statements</MenuCategory>
      <Position>5</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="txt-20180929.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R6.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>00400 - Statement - Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.textron.com/role/StatementConsolidatedStatementsOfCashFlows</Role>
      <ShortName>Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Statements</MenuCategory>
      <Position>6</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="txt-20180929.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R7.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>10101 - Disclosure - Basis of Presentation</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.textron.com/role/DisclosureBasisOfPresentation</Role>
      <ShortName>Basis of Presentation</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>7</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="txt-20180929.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R8.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>10201 - Disclosure - Summary of Significant Accounting Policies Update</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.textron.com/role/DisclosureSummaryOfSignificantAccountingPoliciesUpdate</Role>
      <ShortName>Summary of Significant Accounting Policies Update</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>8</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="txt-20180929.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R9.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>10301 - Disclosure - Business Disposition</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.textron.com/role/DisclosureBusinessDisposition</Role>
      <ShortName>Business Disposition</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>9</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="txt-20180929.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R10.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>10401 - Disclosure - Retirement Plans</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.textron.com/role/DisclosureRetirementPlans</Role>
      <ShortName>Retirement Plans</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>10</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="txt-20180929.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R11.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>10501 - Disclosure - Earnings Per Share</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.textron.com/role/DisclosureEarningsPerShare</Role>
      <ShortName>Earnings Per Share</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>11</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="txt-20180929.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R12.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>10601 - Disclosure - Accounts Receivable and Finance Receivables</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.textron.com/role/DisclosureAccountsReceivableAndFinanceReceivables</Role>
      <ShortName>Accounts Receivable and Finance Receivables</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>12</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="txt-20180929.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R13.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>10701 - Disclosure - Inventories</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.textron.com/role/DisclosureInventories</Role>
      <ShortName>Inventories</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>13</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="txt-20180929.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R14.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>10801 - Disclosure - Warranty Liability</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.textron.com/role/DisclosureWarrantyLiability</Role>
      <ShortName>Warranty Liability</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>14</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="txt-20180929.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R15.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>10901 - Disclosure - Derivative Instruments and Fair Value Measurements</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.textron.com/role/DisclosureDerivativeInstrumentsAndFairValueMeasurements</Role>
      <ShortName>Derivative Instruments and Fair Value Measurements</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>15</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="txt-20180929.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R16.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>11001 - Disclosure - Shareholders' Equity</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.textron.com/role/DisclosureShareholdersEquity</Role>
      <ShortName>Shareholders' Equity</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>16</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="txt-20180929.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R17.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>11101 - Disclosure - Special Charges</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.textron.com/role/DisclosureSpecialCharges</Role>
      <ShortName>Special Charges</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>17</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="txt-20180929.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R18.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>11201 - Disclosure - Income Taxes</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.textron.com/role/DisclosureIncomeTaxes</Role>
      <ShortName>Income Taxes</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>18</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="txt-20180929.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R19.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>11301 - Disclosure - Commitments and Contingencies</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.textron.com/role/DisclosureCommitmentsAndContingencies</Role>
      <ShortName>Commitments and Contingencies</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>19</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="txt-20180929.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R20.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>11401 - Disclosure - Segment Information</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.textron.com/role/DisclosureSegmentInformation</Role>
      <ShortName>Segment Information</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>20</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="txt-20180929.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R21.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>11501 - Disclosure - Revenues</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.textron.com/role/DisclosureRevenues</Role>
      <ShortName>Revenues</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>21</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="txt-20180929.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R22.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>20202 - Disclosure - Summary of Significant Accounting Policies Update (Policies)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.textron.com/role/DisclosureSummaryOfSignificantAccountingPoliciesUpdatePolicies</Role>
      <ShortName>Summary of Significant Accounting Policies Update (Policies)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Policies</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.textron.com/role/DisclosureSummaryOfSignificantAccountingPoliciesUpdate</ParentRole>
      <Position>22</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="txt-20180929.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R23.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>30303 - Disclosure - Business Disposition (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.textron.com/role/DisclosureBusinessDispositionTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Business Disposition (Tables)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Tables</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.textron.com/role/DisclosureBusinessDisposition</ParentRole>
      <Position>23</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="txt-20180929.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R24.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>30403 - Disclosure - Retirement Plans (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.textron.com/role/DisclosureRetirementPlansTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Retirement Plans (Tables)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Tables</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.textron.com/role/DisclosureRetirementPlans</ParentRole>
      <Position>24</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="txt-20180929.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R25.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>30503 - Disclosure - Earnings Per Share (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.textron.com/role/DisclosureEarningsPerShareTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Earnings Per Share (Tables)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Tables</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.textron.com/role/DisclosureEarningsPerShare</ParentRole>
      <Position>25</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="txt-20180929.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R26.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>30603 - Disclosure - Accounts Receivable and Finance Receivables (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.textron.com/role/DisclosureAccountsReceivableAndFinanceReceivablesTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Accounts Receivable and Finance Receivables (Tables)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Tables</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.textron.com/role/DisclosureAccountsReceivableAndFinanceReceivables</ParentRole>
      <Position>26</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="txt-20180929.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R27.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>30703 - Disclosure - Inventories (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.textron.com/role/DisclosureInventoriesTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Inventories (Tables)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Tables</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.textron.com/role/DisclosureInventories</ParentRole>
      <Position>27</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="txt-20180929.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R28.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>30803 - Disclosure - Warranty Liability (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.textron.com/role/DisclosureWarrantyLiabilityTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Warranty Liability (Tables)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Tables</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.textron.com/role/DisclosureWarrantyLiability</ParentRole>
      <Position>28</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="txt-20180929.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R29.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>30903 - Disclosure - Derivative Instruments and Fair Value Measurements (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.textron.com/role/DisclosureDerivativeInstrumentsAndFairValueMeasurementsTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Derivative Instruments and Fair Value Measurements (Tables)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Tables</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.textron.com/role/DisclosureDerivativeInstrumentsAndFairValueMeasurements</ParentRole>
      <Position>29</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="txt-20180929.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R30.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>31003 - Disclosure - Shareholders' Equity (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.textron.com/role/DisclosureShareholdersEquityTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Shareholders' Equity (Tables)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Tables</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.textron.com/role/DisclosureShareholdersEquity</ParentRole>
      <Position>30</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="txt-20180929.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R31.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>31103 - Disclosure - Special Charges (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.textron.com/role/DisclosureSpecialChargesTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Special Charges (Tables)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Tables</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.textron.com/role/DisclosureSpecialCharges</ParentRole>
      <Position>31</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="txt-20180929.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R32.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>31403 - Disclosure - Segment Information (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.textron.com/role/DisclosureSegmentInformationTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Segment Information (Tables)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Tables</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.textron.com/role/DisclosureSegmentInformation</ParentRole>
      <Position>32</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="txt-20180929.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R33.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>31503 - Disclosure - Revenues (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.textron.com/role/DisclosureRevenuesTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Revenues (Tables)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Tables</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.textron.com/role/DisclosureRevenues</ParentRole>
      <Position>33</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="txt-20180929.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R34.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>40101 - Disclosure - Basis of Presentation (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.textron.com/role/DisclosureBasisOfPresentationDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Basis of Presentation (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.textron.com/role/DisclosureBasisOfPresentation</ParentRole>
      <Position>34</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="txt-20180929.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R35.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>40201 - Disclosure - Summary of Significant Accounting Policies Update - ASU 2014-09 (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.textron.com/role/DisclosureSummaryOfSignificantAccountingPoliciesUpdateAsu201409Details</Role>
      <ShortName>Summary of Significant Accounting Policies Update - ASU 2014-09 (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>35</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="txt-20180929.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R36.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>40202 - Disclosure - Summary of Significant Accounting Policies Update - Information regarding significant accounting policies (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.textron.com/role/DisclosureSummaryOfSignificantAccountingPoliciesUpdateInformationRegardingSignificantAccountingPoliciesDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Summary of Significant Accounting Policies Update - Information regarding significant accounting policies (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>36</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="txt-20180929.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R37.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>40203 - Disclosure - Summary of Significant Accounting Policies Update - Contracts accounted for under cumulative catch-up method (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.textron.com/role/DisclosureSummaryOfSignificantAccountingPoliciesUpdateContractsAccountedForUnderCumulativeCatchUpMethodDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Summary of Significant Accounting Policies Update - Contracts accounted for under cumulative catch-up method (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>37</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="txt-20180929.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R38.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>40301 - Disclosure - Business Disposition (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.textron.com/role/DisclosureBusinessDispositionDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Business Disposition (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.textron.com/role/DisclosureBusinessDispositionTables</ParentRole>
      <Position>38</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="txt-20180929.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R39.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>40401 - Disclosure - Retirement Plans - Net periodic benefit cost (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.textron.com/role/DisclosureRetirementPlansNetPeriodicBenefitCostDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Retirement Plans - Net periodic benefit cost (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>39</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="txt-20180929.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R40.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>40501 - Disclosure - Earnings Per Share (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.textron.com/role/DisclosureEarningsPerShareDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Earnings Per Share (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.textron.com/role/DisclosureEarningsPerShareTables</ParentRole>
      <Position>40</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="txt-20180929.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R41.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>40601 - Disclosure - Accounts Receivable and Finance Receivables - Accounts receivable (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.textron.com/role/DisclosureAccountsReceivableAndFinanceReceivablesAccountsReceivableDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Accounts Receivable and Finance Receivables - Accounts receivable (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>41</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="txt-20180929.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R42.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>40602 - Disclosure - Accounts Receivable and Finance Receivables - Finance receivables (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.textron.com/role/DisclosureAccountsReceivableAndFinanceReceivablesFinanceReceivablesDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Accounts Receivable and Finance Receivables - Finance receivables (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>42</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="txt-20180929.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R43.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>40603 - Disclosure - Accounts Receivable and Finance Receivables - Finance receivables categorized based on credit quality indicators (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.textron.com/role/DisclosureAccountsReceivableAndFinanceReceivablesFinanceReceivablesCategorizedBasedOnCreditQualityIndicatorsDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Accounts Receivable and Finance Receivables - Finance receivables categorized based on credit quality indicators (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>43</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="txt-20180929.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R44.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>40604 - Disclosure - Accounts Receivable and Finance Receivables - Finance receivables by delinquency aging category (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.textron.com/role/DisclosureAccountsReceivableAndFinanceReceivablesFinanceReceivablesByDelinquencyAgingCategoryDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Accounts Receivable and Finance Receivables - Finance receivables by delinquency aging category (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>44</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="txt-20180929.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R45.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>40605 - Disclosure - Accounts Receivable and Finance Receivables - Summary of impaired finance receivables, excluding leveraged leases, and the average recorded investment (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.textron.com/role/DisclosureAccountsReceivableAndFinanceReceivablesSummaryOfImpairedFinanceReceivablesExcludingLeveragedLeasesAndAverageRecordedInvestmentDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Accounts Receivable and Finance Receivables - Summary of impaired finance receivables, excluding leveraged leases, and the average recorded investment (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>45</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="txt-20180929.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R46.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>40606 - Disclosure - Accounts Receivable and Finance Receivables - Allowance for losses on finance receivables on an individual and on a collective basis (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.textron.com/role/DisclosureAccountsReceivableAndFinanceReceivablesAllowanceForLossesOnFinanceReceivablesOnIndividualAndOnCollectiveBasisDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Accounts Receivable and Finance Receivables - Allowance for losses on finance receivables on an individual and on a collective basis (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>46</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="txt-20180929.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R47.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>40701 - Disclosure - Inventories (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.textron.com/role/DisclosureInventoriesDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Inventories (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.textron.com/role/DisclosureInventoriesTables</ParentRole>
      <Position>47</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="txt-20180929.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R48.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>40801 - Disclosure - Warranty Liability (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.textron.com/role/DisclosureWarrantyLiabilityDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Warranty Liability (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.textron.com/role/DisclosureWarrantyLiabilityTables</ParentRole>
      <Position>48</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="txt-20180929.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R49.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>40901 - Disclosure - Derivative Instruments and Fair Value Measurements - Assets and liabilities recorded at fair value on a recurring basis (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.textron.com/role/DisclosureDerivativeInstrumentsAndFairValueMeasurementsAssetsAndLiabilitiesRecordedAtFairValueOnRecurringBasisDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Derivative Instruments and Fair Value Measurements - Assets and liabilities recorded at fair value on a recurring basis (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>49</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="txt-20180929.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R50.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>40902 - Disclosure - Derivative Instruments and Fair Value Measurements - Assets and liabilities not recorded at fair value (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.textron.com/role/DisclosureDerivativeInstrumentsAndFairValueMeasurementsAssetsAndLiabilitiesNotRecordedAtFairValueDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Derivative Instruments and Fair Value Measurements - Assets and liabilities not recorded at fair value (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>50</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="txt-20180929.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R51.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>41001 - Disclosure - Shareholders' Equity (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.textron.com/role/DisclosureShareholdersEquityDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Shareholders' Equity (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.textron.com/role/DisclosureShareholdersEquityTables</ParentRole>
      <Position>51</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="txt-20180929.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R52.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>41002 - Disclosure - Shareholders' Equity - Components of accumulated other comprehensive loss (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.textron.com/role/DisclosureShareholdersEquityComponentsOfAccumulatedOtherComprehensiveLossDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Shareholders' Equity - Components of accumulated other comprehensive loss (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>52</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="txt-20180929.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R53.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>41003 - Disclosure - Shareholders' Equity - Before and after-tax components of other comprehensive income (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.textron.com/role/DisclosureShareholdersEquityBeforeAndAfterTaxComponentsOfOtherComprehensiveIncomeDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Shareholders' Equity - Before and after-tax components of other comprehensive income (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>53</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="txt-20180929.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R54.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>41101 - Disclosure - Special Charges - Restructuring plans and special charges (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.textron.com/role/DisclosureSpecialChargesRestructuringPlansAndSpecialChargesDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Special Charges - Restructuring plans and special charges (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>54</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="txt-20180929.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R55.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>41102 - Disclosure - Special Charges - Restructuring reserve activity and total expected cash outlay (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.textron.com/role/DisclosureSpecialChargesRestructuringReserveActivityAndTotalExpectedCashOutlayDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Special Charges - Restructuring reserve activity and total expected cash outlay (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>55</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="txt-20180929.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R56.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>41201 - Disclosure - Income Taxes (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.textron.com/role/DisclosureIncomeTaxesDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Income Taxes (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.textron.com/role/DisclosureIncomeTaxes</ParentRole>
      <Position>56</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="txt-20180929.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R57.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>41401 - Disclosure - Segment Information - Operating and reportable segments (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.textron.com/role/DisclosureSegmentInformationOperatingAndReportableSegmentsDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Segment Information - Operating and reportable segments (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>57</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="txt-20180929.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R58.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>41402 - Disclosure - Segment Information - Reconciliation of segment profit to income from continuing operations before income taxes (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.textron.com/role/DisclosureSegmentInformationReconciliationOfSegmentProfitToIncomeFromContinuingOperationsBeforeIncomeTaxesDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Segment Information - Reconciliation of segment profit to income from continuing operations before income taxes (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>58</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="txt-20180929.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R59.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>41501 - Disclosure - Revenues (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.textron.com/role/DisclosureRevenuesDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Revenues (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.textron.com/role/DisclosureRevenuesTables</ParentRole>
      <Position>59</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="txt-20180929.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R60.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>41502 - Disclosure - Revenues - Remaining Performance Obligations (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.textron.com/role/DisclosureRevenuesRemainingPerformanceObligationsDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Revenues - Remaining Performance Obligations (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>60</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="txt-20180929.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R61.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>41503 - Disclosure - Revenues - Remaining Performance Obligations &amp; Revenue Expected to be recognized (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.textron.com/role/DisclosureRevenuesRemainingPerformanceObligationsRevenueExpectedToBeRecognizedDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Revenues - Remaining Performance Obligations &amp; Revenue Expected to be recognized (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>61</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="txt-20180929.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R62.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>41504 - Disclosure - Revenues - Contract assets and liabilities (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.textron.com/role/DisclosureRevenuesContractAssetsAndLiabilitiesDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Revenues - Contract assets and liabilities (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>62</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="txt-20180929.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R63.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>41505 - Disclosure - Revenues - Reconciliation of ASC 606 to Prior Accounting Standards (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.textron.com/role/DisclosureRevenuesReconciliationOfAsc606ToPriorAccountingStandardsDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Revenues - Reconciliation of ASC 606 to Prior Accounting Standards (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>63</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <LongName>All Reports</LongName>
      <ReportType>Book</ReportType>
      <ShortName>All Reports</ShortName>
    </Report>
  </MyReports>
  <InputFiles>
    <File>txt-20180929.xml</File>
    <File>txt-20180929.xsd</File>
    <File>txt-20180929_cal.xml</File>
    <File>txt-20180929_def.xml</File>
    <File>txt-20180929_lab.xml</File>
    <File>txt-20180929_pre.xml</File>
  </InputFiles>
  <SupplementalFiles/>
  <BaseTaxonomies>
    <BaseTaxonomy>http://fasb.org/us-gaap/2018-01-31</BaseTaxonomy>
    <BaseTaxonomy>http://xbrl.sec.gov/dei/2018-01-31</BaseTaxonomy>
    <BaseTaxonomy>http://xbrl.sec.gov/country/2017-01-31</BaseTaxonomy>
    <BaseTaxonomy>http://xbrl.sec.gov/invest/2013-01-31</BaseTaxonomy>
    <BaseTaxonomy>http://fasb.org/srt/2018-01-31</BaseTaxonomy>
  </BaseTaxonomies>
  <HasPresentationLinkbase>true</HasPresentationLinkbase>
  <HasCalculationLinkbase>true</HasCalculationLinkbase>
</FilingSummary>
