<?xml version="1.0" encoding="utf-8"?>
<FilingSummary xmlns:xsi="http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema-instance" xmlns:xsd="http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema">
  <Version>2.3.0.15</Version>
  <ProcessingTime />
  <ReportFormat>Html</ReportFormat>
  <ReportType />
  <ContextCount>125</ContextCount>
  <ElementCount>261</ElementCount>
  <EntityCount>1</EntityCount>
  <FootnotesReported>false</FootnotesReported>
  <SegmentCount>41</SegmentCount>
  <ScenarioCount>0</ScenarioCount>
  <TuplesReported>false</TuplesReported>
  <UnitCount>4</UnitCount>
  <MyReports>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>true</IsDefault>
      <ContainEmbeddedReports>false</ContainEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R1.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>010000 - Document - Document and Entity Information</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.waters.com/role/DocumentDocumentAndEntityInformation</Role>
      <ShortName>Document and Entity Information</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <ContainEmbeddedReports>false</ContainEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R2.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>010010 - Statement - Consolidated Balance Sheets (Unaudited)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.waters.com/role/StatementConsolidatedBalanceSheetsUnaudited</Role>
      <ShortName>Consolidated Balance Sheets (Unaudited)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <ContainEmbeddedReports>false</ContainEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R3.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>010011 - Statement - Consolidated Balance Sheets (Unaudited) (Parentheticals)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.waters.com/role/StatementConsolidatedBalanceSheetsUnauditedParentheticals</Role>
      <ShortName>Consolidated Balance Sheets (Unaudited) (Parentheticals)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <ContainEmbeddedReports>false</ContainEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R4.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>010020 - Statement - Consolidated Statements of Operations (Unaudited)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.waters.com/role/StatementConsolidatedStatementsOfOperationsUnaudited</Role>
      <ShortName>Consolidated Statements of Operations (Unaudited)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <ContainEmbeddedReports>false</ContainEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R5.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>010030 - Statement - Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (Unaudited)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.waters.com/role/StatementConsolidatedStatementsOfCashFlowsUnaudited</Role>
      <ShortName>Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (Unaudited)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <ContainEmbeddedReports>false</ContainEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R6.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>010100 - Disclosure - Basis of Presentation and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.waters.com/role/DisclosureBasisOfPresentationAndSummaryOfSignificantAccountingPolicies</Role>
      <ShortName>Basis of Presentation and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <ContainEmbeddedReports>false</ContainEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R7.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>010200 - Disclosure - Inventories</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.waters.com/role/DisclosureInventories</Role>
      <ShortName>Inventories</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <ContainEmbeddedReports>false</ContainEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R8.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>010300 - Disclosure - Acquisitions</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.waters.com/role/DisclosureAcquisitions</Role>
      <ShortName>Acquisitions</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <ContainEmbeddedReports>false</ContainEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R9.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>010400 - Disclosure - Goodwill and Other Intangibles</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.waters.com/role/DisclosureGoodwillAndOtherIntangibles</Role>
      <ShortName>Goodwill and Other Intangibles</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <ContainEmbeddedReports>false</ContainEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R10.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>010500 - Disclosure - Debt</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.waters.com/role/DisclosureDebt</Role>
      <ShortName>Debt</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <ContainEmbeddedReports>false</ContainEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R11.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>010600 - Disclosure - Income Taxes</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.waters.com/role/DisclosureIncomeTaxes</Role>
      <ShortName>Income Taxes</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <ContainEmbeddedReports>false</ContainEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R12.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>010800 - Disclosure - Stock-Based Compensation</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.waters.com/role/DisclosureStockBasedCompensation</Role>
      <ShortName>Stock-Based Compensation</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <ContainEmbeddedReports>false</ContainEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R13.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>010900 - Disclosure - Earnings Per Share</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.waters.com/role/DisclosureEarningsPerShare</Role>
      <ShortName>Earnings Per Share</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <ContainEmbeddedReports>false</ContainEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R14.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>011000 - Disclosure - Comprehensive Income</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.waters.com/role/DisclosureComprehensiveIncome</Role>
      <ShortName>Comprehensive Income</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <ContainEmbeddedReports>false</ContainEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R15.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>011100 - Disclosure - Retirement Plans</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.waters.com/role/DisclosureRetirementPlans</Role>
      <ShortName>Retirement Plans</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <ContainEmbeddedReports>false</ContainEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R16.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>011200 - Disclosure - Business Segment Information</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.waters.com/role/DisclosureBusinessSegmentInformation</Role>
      <ShortName>Business Segment Information</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <ContainEmbeddedReports>false</ContainEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R17.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>011300 - Disclosure - Recent Accounting Standard Changes and Developments</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.waters.com/role/DisclosureRecentAccountingStandardChangesAndDevelopments</Role>
      <ShortName>Recent Accounting Standard Changes and Developments</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <ContainEmbeddedReports>false</ContainEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R18.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>020000 - Disclosure - Basis of Presentation and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.waters.com/role/DisclosureBasisOfPresentationAndSummaryOfSignificantAccountingPoliciesPolicies</Role>
      <ShortName>Basis of Presentation and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <ContainEmbeddedReports>false</ContainEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R19.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>020600 - Disclosure - Income Taxes (Policies)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.waters.com/role/DisclosureIncomeTaxesPolicies</Role>
      <ShortName>Income Taxes (Policies)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <ContainEmbeddedReports>false</ContainEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R20.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>020800 - Disclosure - Stock-Based Compensation (Policies)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.waters.com/role/DisclosureStockBasedCompensationPolicies</Role>
      <ShortName>Stock-Based Compensation (Policies)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <ContainEmbeddedReports>false</ContainEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R21.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>020900 - Disclosure - Earnings Per Share (Policies)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.waters.com/role/DisclosureEarningsPerSharePolicies</Role>
      <ShortName>Earnings Per Share (Policies)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <ContainEmbeddedReports>false</ContainEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R22.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>021300 - Disclosure - Recent Accounting Standard Changes and Developments (Policies)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.waters.com/role/DisclosureRecentAccountingStandardChangesAndDevelopmentsPolicies</Role>
      <ShortName>Recent Accounting Standard Changes and Developments (Policies)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <ContainEmbeddedReports>false</ContainEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R23.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>030100 - Disclosure - Basis of Presentation and Significant Accounting Policies (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.waters.com/role/DisclosureBasisOfPresentationAndSignificantAccountingPoliciesTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Basis of Presentation and Significant Accounting Policies (Tables)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <ContainEmbeddedReports>false</ContainEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R24.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>030200 - Disclosure - Inventories (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.waters.com/role/DisclosureInventoriesTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Inventories (Tables)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <ContainEmbeddedReports>false</ContainEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R25.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>030300 - Disclosure - Acquisitions (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.waters.com/role/AcquisitionsTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Acquisitions (Tables)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <ContainEmbeddedReports>false</ContainEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R26.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>030400 - Disclosure - Goodwill and Other Intangibles (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.waters.com/role/DisclosureGoodwillAndOtherIntangiblesTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Goodwill and Other Intangibles (Tables)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <ContainEmbeddedReports>false</ContainEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R27.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>030500 - Disclosure - Debt (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.waters.com/role/DisclosureDebtTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Debt (Tables)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <ContainEmbeddedReports>false</ContainEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R28.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>030600 - Disclosure - Income Taxes (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.waters.com/role/DisclosureIncomeTaxesTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Income Taxes (Tables)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <ContainEmbeddedReports>false</ContainEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R29.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>030800 - Disclosure - Stock-Based Compensation (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.waters.com/role/DisclosureStockBasedCompensationTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Stock-Based Compensation (Tables)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <ContainEmbeddedReports>false</ContainEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R30.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>030900 - Disclosure - Earnings Per Share (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.waters.com/role/DisclosureEarningsPerShareTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Earnings Per Share (Tables)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <ContainEmbeddedReports>false</ContainEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R31.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>031000 - Disclosure - Comprehensive Income (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.waters.com/role/DisclosureComprehensiveIncomeTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Comprehensive Income (Tables)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <ContainEmbeddedReports>false</ContainEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R32.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>031100 - Disclosure - Retirement Plans (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.waters.com/role/DisclosureRetirementPlansTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Retirement Plans (Tables)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <ContainEmbeddedReports>false</ContainEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R33.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>031200 - Disclosure - Business Segment Information (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.waters.com/role/DisclosureBusinessSegmentInformationTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Business Segment Information (Tables)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <ContainEmbeddedReports>false</ContainEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R34.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>040100 - Disclosure - Basis of Presentation and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.waters.com/role/DisclosureBasisOfPresentationAndSummaryOfSignificantAccountingPoliciesDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Basis of Presentation and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Details)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <ContainEmbeddedReports>false</ContainEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R35.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>040200 - Disclosure - Inventories (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.waters.com/role/DisclosureInventoriesDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Inventories (Details)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <ContainEmbeddedReports>false</ContainEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R36.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>040300 - Disclosure - Acqusitions (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.waters.com/role/DisclosureAcqusitionsDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Acqusitions (Details)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <ContainEmbeddedReports>false</ContainEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R37.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>040400 - Disclosure - Goodwill and Other Intangibles (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.waters.com/role/DisclosureGoodwillAndOtherIntangiblesDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Goodwill and Other Intangibles (Details)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <ContainEmbeddedReports>false</ContainEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R38.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>040500 - Disclosure - Debt (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.waters.com/role/DisclosureDebtDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Debt (Details)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <ContainEmbeddedReports>false</ContainEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R39.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>040600 - Disclosure - Income Taxes (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.waters.com/role/DisclosureIncomeTaxesDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Income Taxes (Details)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <ContainEmbeddedReports>false</ContainEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R40.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>040800 - Disclosure - Stock-Based Compensation (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.waters.com/role/DisclosureStockBasedCompensationDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Stock-Based Compensation (Details)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <ContainEmbeddedReports>false</ContainEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R41.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>040900 - Disclosure - Earnings Per Share (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.waters.com/role/DisclosureEarningsPerShareDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Earnings Per Share (Details)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <ContainEmbeddedReports>false</ContainEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R42.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>041000 - Disclosure - Comprehensive Income (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.waters.com/role/DisclosureComprehensiveIncomeDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Comprehensive Income (Details)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <ContainEmbeddedReports>false</ContainEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R43.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>041100 - Disclosure - Retirement Plans (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.waters.com/role/DisclosureRetirementPlansDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Retirement Plans (Details)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <ContainEmbeddedReports>false</ContainEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R44.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>041200 - Disclosure - Business Segment Information (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.waters.com/role/DisclosureBusinessSegmentInformationDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Business Segment Information (Details)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <ContainEmbeddedReports>false</ContainEmbeddedReports>
      <LongName>All Reports</LongName>
      <ReportType>Book</ReportType>
      <ShortName>All Reports</ShortName>
    </Report>
  </MyReports>
  <Logs>
    <Log type="Info">Element us-gaap_LongTermDebtNoncurrent had a mix of decimals attribute values: -3 -6.</Log>
    <Log type="Info">Element us-gaap_AmortizationOfIntangibleAssets had a mix of decimals attribute values: -3 -6.</Log>
    <Log type="Info">Element us-gaap_LongTermDebtNoncurrent had a mix of decimals attribute values: -3 -6.</Log>
    <Log type="Info">Element us-gaap_AmortizationOfIntangibleAssets had a mix of decimals attribute values: -3 -6.</Log>
    <Log type="Info">Element us-gaap_LongTermDebtNoncurrent had a mix of decimals attribute values: -3 -6.</Log>
    <Log type="Info">'Monetary' elements on report '010010 - Statement - Consolidated Balance Sheets (Unaudited)' had a mix of different decimal attribute values.</Log>
    <Log type="Info">'Shares' elements on report '010011 - Statement - Consolidated Balance Sheets (Unaudited) (Parentheticals)' had a mix of different decimal attribute values.</Log>
    <Log type="Info">'Monetary' elements on report '040100 - Disclosure - Basis of Presentation and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Details)' had a mix of different decimal attribute values.</Log>
    <Log type="Info">'Monetary' elements on report '040300 - Disclosure - Acqusitions (Details)' had a mix of different decimal attribute values.</Log>
    <Log type="Info">'Monetary' elements on report '040400 - Disclosure - Goodwill and Other Intangibles (Details)' had a mix of different decimal attribute values.</Log>
    <Log type="Info">'Monetary' elements on report '040600 - Disclosure - Income Taxes (Details)' had a mix of different decimal attribute values.</Log>
    <Log type="Info">'Monetary' elements on report '040800 - Disclosure - Stock-Based Compensation (Details)' had a mix of different decimal attribute values.</Log>
    <Log type="Info">'Shares' elements on report '040900 - Disclosure - Earnings Per Share (Details)' had a mix of different decimal attribute values.</Log>
    <Log type="Info">'Monetary' elements on report '041100 - Disclosure - Retirement Plans (Details)' had a mix of different decimal attribute values.</Log>
    <Log type="Info">Process Flow-Through: 010010 - Statement - Consolidated Balance Sheets (Unaudited)</Log>
    <Log type="Info">	Process Flow-Through: Removing column 'Oct. 02, 2010'</Log>
    <Log type="Info">	Process Flow-Through: Removing column 'Dec. 31, 2009'</Log>
    <Log type="Info">Process Flow-Through: 010011 - Statement - Consolidated Balance Sheets (Unaudited) (Parentheticals)</Log>
    <Log type="Info">Process Flow-Through: 010020 - Statement - Consolidated Statements of Operations (Unaudited)</Log>
    <Log type="Info">Process Flow-Through: 010030 - Statement - Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (Unaudited)</Log>
  </Logs>
  <InputFiles>
    <File>wat-20111001.xml</File>
    <File>wat-20111001.xsd</File>
    <File>wat-20111001_cal.xml</File>
    <File>wat-20111001_def.xml</File>
    <File>wat-20111001_lab.xml</File>
    <File>wat-20111001_pre.xml</File>
  </InputFiles>
  <SupplementalFiles />
  <BaseTaxonomies />
  <HasPresentationLinkbase>true</HasPresentationLinkbase>
  <HasCalculationLinkbase>true</HasCalculationLinkbase>
</FilingSummary>
