Name:	us-gaap_NumberOfOperatingSegments
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Number of segments reported by the entity. A reportable segment is a component of an entity for which there is an accounting requirement to report separate financial information on that component in the entity's financial statements.

No definition available.

Name:	us-gaap_NumberOfReportableSegments
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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.

No definition available.

Name:	us-gaap_RevenuesFromExternalCustomersAndLongLivedAssetsLineItems
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Aggregate revenue during the period from the sale of goods in the normal course of business, after deducting returns, allowances and discounts.

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 225
-SubTopic 10
-Section S99
-Paragraph 2
-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-03.1(a))
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=63488584&loc=d3e20235-122688

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Total revenue from sale of goods and services rendered during the reporting period, in the normal course of business, reduced by sales returns and allowances, and sales discounts.

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 225
-SubTopic 10
-Section S99
-Paragraph 2
-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-03.1)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=63488584&loc=d3e20235-122688

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Aggregate revenue during the period from services rendered in the normal course of business, after deducting allowances and discounts.

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 225
-SubTopic 10
-Section S99
-Paragraph 2
-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-03.1(d))
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=63488584&loc=d3e20235-122688

Name:	us-gaap_SalesRevenueServicesNet
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Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
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Period Type:	duration

Name:	us-gaap_ProductOrServiceAxis=wat_WatersInstrumentSystemsMember
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Name:	us-gaap_ProductOrServiceAxis=wat_ChemistryConsumablesMember
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Data Type:	na
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Period Type:

Name:	us-gaap_ProductOrServiceAxis=wat_TaInstrumentSystemsMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
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Name:	us-gaap_ProductOrServiceAxis=wat_WatersServiceMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
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