Summary of the Fair Value of Our Derivative Instruments (Detail) (USD $) In Thousands	Jun. 30, 2011	Sep. 30, 2010
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Net asset (liability) value of non-hedge derivative instruments	$ 437	$ (215)
Net asset value of hedge derivative instruments	280	226
Foreign Currency Contracts \| Prepaid Expenses And Other Current Assets
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Asset value of non-hedge derivative instruments	505	767
Asset value of hedge derivative instruments	280	729
Foreign Currency Contracts \| Accrued Expenses And Other Current Liabilities
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Liability value of non-hedge derivative instruments	(463)
Security Price Guarantees \| Prepaid Expenses And Other Current Assets
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Asset value of non-hedge derivative instruments	395
Security Price Guarantees \| Accrued Expenses And Other Current Liabilities
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Liability value of non-hedge derivative instruments		(982)
Interest Rate Swaps \| Accrued Expenses And Other Current Liabilities
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Liability value of hedge derivative instruments		$ (503)

Derivative Instruments Not Designated as Hedging Instruments, at Fair Value, Net

Name:	nuan_DerivativeInstrumentsNotDesignatedAsHedgingInstrumentsAtFairValueNet
Namespace Prefix:	nuan
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Fair value of all asset derivatives designated as cash flow hedging instruments.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)
-Number 107
-Paragraph 10
-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 815
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 4B
-Subparagraph (c)(1)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6935481&loc=SL5624163-113959

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_CashFlowHedgeDerivativeInstrumentAssetsAtFairValue
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Fair value of all liability derivatives designated as cash flow hedging instruments.

+ References

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_CashFlowHedgeDerivativeInstrumentLiabilitiesAtFairValue
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Aggregate net fair value of all derivative instruments designated as hedging instruments. Includes instruments designated as cash flow hedges, fair value hedges, and hedges of net investments in foreign operations.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)
-Number 107
-Paragraph 10
-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 825
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 10
-Subparagraph (a)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6947722&loc=d3e13433-108611

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 825
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 15
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6947722&loc=d3e13495-108611

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentsInHedgesAtFairValueNet
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Fair value as of the balance sheet date of derivative instrument not designated as hedging instrument and classified as an asset.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)
-Number 107
-Paragraph 10
-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 815
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 4B
-Subparagraph (c)(2)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6935481&loc=SL5624163-113959

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentsNotDesignatedAsHedgingInstrumentsAssetAtFairValue
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Fair value as of the balance sheet date of derivative instrument not designated as hedging instrument and classified as a liability.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)
-Number 107
-Paragraph 10
-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 815
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 4B
-Subparagraph (c)(2)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6935481&loc=SL5624163-113959

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentsNotDesignatedAsHedgingInstrumentsLiabilityAtFairValue
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

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.

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_DerivativesFairValueLineItems
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap
Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration