Basis of Presentation and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Details) - USD ($)	1 Months Ended	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended		36 Months Ended
	May 31, 2017	Sep. 30, 2017	Oct. 01, 2016	Sep. 30, 2017	Oct. 01, 2016	May 14, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Basis of Presentation and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies [Abstract]
Long-term investments		$ 7,000,000		$ 7,000,000
Acquired in-process research and development				5,000,000
Potential payments under licensing arrangements		7,000,000		$ 7,000,000
Cash Equivalents and Investments [Line Items]
Cash equivalents description				Cash equivalents represent highly liquid investments, with original maturities of 90 days or less, while investments with longer maturities are classified as investments.
Cash, cash equivalents and investments		3,255,000,000		$ 3,255,000,000			$ 2,813,000,000
Derivative [Line Items]
Foreign currency exposure				The Company is a global company that operates in over 35 countries and, as a result, the Company’s net sales, cost of sales, operating expenses and balance sheet amounts are significantly impacted by fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates.
Maturity period of foreign exchange contracts				The Company periodically aggregates its net worldwide balances by currency and then enters into foreign currency exchange contracts that mature within 90 days to hedge a portion of the remaining balance to minimize some of the Company’s currency price risk exposure.
Notional amount of foreign exchange contracts		127,000,000		$ 127,000,000			120,000,000
Realized gains (losses) on closed contracts		2,871,000	$ (1,994,000)	3,301,000	$ (9,525,000)
Unrealized gains (losses) on open contracts		(1,258,000)	1,003,000	819,000	11,000
Cumulative net pre-tax gains (losses)		1,613,000	(991,000)	4,120,000	(9,514,000)
Fair Value of Assets and Liabilities Measured on a Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Marketable securities		2,842,340,000		2,842,340,000			2,432,195,000
Debt [Line Items]
Long-term debt		1,732,367,000		1,732,367,000			1,701,966,000
Warranty Accrual Roll Forward [Abstract]
Accrued warranty liability, balance at beginning of period				13,391,000	13,349,000
Accruals for warranties				6,287,000	7,101,000
Settlements made				(6,823,000)	(6,915,000)
Accrued warranty liability, balance at end of period		12,855,000	$ 13,535,000	12,855,000	13,535,000
Restructuring and Related Activities [Abstract]
Restructuring charges				12,000,000	$ 3,000,000
Restructuring reserve		3,000,000		3,000,000			2,000,000
Fair Value Measurements, Recurring
Fair Value of Assets and Liabilities Measured on a Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Waters 401(k) Restoration Plan assets		33,845,000		33,845,000			30,954,000
Forward foreign exchange contract assets		213,000		213,000			60,000
Fair value of total assets measured on a recurring basis		2,876,398,000		2,876,398,000			2,463,209,000
Contingent consideration		3,017,000		3,017,000			3,007,000
Forward foreign exchange contract liabilities		63,000		63,000			730,000
Fair value of total liabilities measured on a recurring basis		3,080,000		3,080,000			3,737,000
Fair Value Measurements, Recurring | Quoted Prices in Active Market for Identical Assets (Level 1)
Fair Value of Assets and Liabilities Measured on a Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Waters 401(k) Restoration Plan assets		33,845,000		33,845,000			30,954,000
Fair value of total assets measured on a recurring basis		33,845,000		33,845,000			30,954,000
Fair Value Measurements, Recurring | Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2)
Fair Value of Assets and Liabilities Measured on a Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Forward foreign exchange contract assets		213,000		213,000			60,000
Fair value of total assets measured on a recurring basis		2,842,553,000		2,842,553,000			2,432,255,000
Forward foreign exchange contract liabilities		63,000		63,000			730,000
Fair value of total liabilities measured on a recurring basis		63,000		63,000			730,000
Fair Value Measurements, Recurring | Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3)
Fair Value of Assets and Liabilities Measured on a Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Contingent consideration		3,017,000		3,017,000			3,007,000
Fair value of total liabilities measured on a recurring basis		3,017,000		3,017,000			3,007,000
Held in currencies other than U.S. dollars [Member]
Cash Equivalents and Investments [Line Items]
Cash, cash equivalents and investments		337,000,000		$ 337,000,000			261,000,000
Programs authorized by Board of Directors [Member]
Stock Repurchase Program [Line Items]
Treasury stock shares acquired				1,400,000	1,800,000
Treasury stock				$ 238,000,000	$ 236,000,000
Related to Vesting of Restricted Stock Units [Member]
Stock Repurchase Program [Line Items]
Treasury stock				8,000,000	$ 6,000,000
May 2017 Program [Member]
Stock Repurchase Program [Line Items]
Stock repurchase program authorization amount	$ 1,000,000,000
Stock repurchase program remaining amount authorized for future purchases		885,000,000		885,000,000
Stock repurchase program period	3 years
May 2014 Program [Member]
Stock Repurchase Program [Line Items]
Treasury stock shares acquired						5,500,000
Treasury stock						$ 750,000,000
US Treasury Securities | Fair Value Measurements, Recurring
Fair Value of Assets and Liabilities Measured on a Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Marketable securities		548,010,000		548,010,000			570,313,000
US Treasury Securities | Fair Value Measurements, Recurring | Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2)
Fair Value of Assets and Liabilities Measured on a Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Marketable securities		548,010,000		548,010,000			570,313,000
Foreign Government Debt Securities | Fair Value Measurements, Recurring
Fair Value of Assets and Liabilities Measured on a Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Marketable securities		6,970,000		6,970,000			17,991,000
Foreign Government Debt Securities | Fair Value Measurements, Recurring | Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2)
Fair Value of Assets and Liabilities Measured on a Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Marketable securities		6,970,000		6,970,000			17,991,000
Corporate Debt Securities | Fair Value Measurements, Recurring
Fair Value of Assets and Liabilities Measured on a Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Marketable securities		1,884,101,000		1,884,101,000			1,643,838,000
Corporate Debt Securities | Fair Value Measurements, Recurring | Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2)
Fair Value of Assets and Liabilities Measured on a Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Marketable securities		1,884,101,000		1,884,101,000			1,643,838,000
Time Deposits | Fair Value Measurements, Recurring
Fair Value of Assets and Liabilities Measured on a Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Marketable securities		403,112,000		403,112,000			199,906,000
Time Deposits | Fair Value Measurements, Recurring | Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2)
Fair Value of Assets and Liabilities Measured on a Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Marketable securities		403,112,000		403,112,000			199,906,000
Equity Securities | Fair Value Measurements, Recurring
Fair Value of Assets and Liabilities Measured on a Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Marketable securities		147,000		147,000			147,000
Equity Securities | Fair Value Measurements, Recurring | Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2)
Fair Value of Assets and Liabilities Measured on a Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Marketable securities		147,000		147,000			147,000
Unsecured debt | Fixed interest rate [Member]
Debt [Line Items]
Long-term debt		610,000,000		610,000,000			610,000,000
Fair value of debt instrument		611,000,000		611,000,000			603,000,000
Held by foreign subsidiaries [Member]
Cash Equivalents and Investments [Line Items]
Cash, cash equivalents and investments		$ 3,212,000,000		$ 3,212,000,000			$ 2,766,000,000