Cover Page - shares	9 Months Ended
	Oct. 01, 2022	Oct. 28, 2022
Cover [Abstract]
Document Type	10-Q
Amendment Flag	false
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2022
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q3
Entity Interactive Data Current	Yes
Entity Central Index Key	0001000697
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--12-31
Document Quarterly Report	true
Document Transition Report	false
Document Period End Date	Oct. 01, 2022
Entity Registrant Name	Waters Corporation
Entity File Number	01-14010
Entity Tax Identification Number	13-3668640
Entity Incorporation, State or Country Code	DE
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes
Entity Filer Category	Large Accelerated Filer
Entity Shell Company	false
Entity Small Business	false
Entity Emerging Growth Company	false
Entity Address, Address Line One	34 Maple Street
Entity Address, City or Town	Milford
Entity Address, State or Province	MA
Entity Address, Postal Zip Code	01757
City Area Code	508
Local Phone Number	478-2000
Trading Symbol	WAT
Security Exchange Name	NYSE
Title of 12(b) Security	Common Stock
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		59,407,575