Comprehensive Income (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2013	Mar. 31, 2012
Other comprehensive income (loss), Before-Tax Amount:
Foreign currency translation adjustment, Before-Tax Amount	$ (24,406)	$ 41,979
Ownership share of equity method investees' other comprehensive income, Before-Tax Amount	81	8,898
Defined benefit pension and postretirement plan adjustments, Before-Tax Amount	11,585	1,300
Unrealized gain on derivative contracts, Before-Tax Amount	244	4,828
Unrealized gain (loss) on debt securities, Before-Tax Amount	(225)	212
Total other comprehensive income (loss), Before-Tax Amount	(12,721)	57,217
Less: Other comprehensive income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests, Before-Tax Amount	(507)	45
Other comprehensive income (loss) attributable to Fluor Corporation, Before-Tax Amount	(12,214)	57,172
Other comprehensive income (loss), Tax Benefit (Expense):
Foreign currency translation adjustment, Tax Benefit (Expense)	8,962	(15,742)
Ownership share of equity method investees' other comprehensive income, Tax Benefit (Expense)	133	(3,389)
Pension plan adjustment, Tax (Expense) Benefit	(4,344)	(487)
Unrealized gain on derivative contracts, Tax Benefit (Expense)	(92)	(1,787)
Unrealized gain (loss) on debt securities, Tax Benefit (Expense)	84	(79)
Total other comprehensive income (loss), Tax Benefit (Expense)	4,743	(21,484)
Other comprehensive income (loss) attributable to Fluor Corporation, Tax Benefit (Expense)	4,743	(21,484)
Other comprehensive income (loss), Net-of-Tax:
Foreign currency translation adjustment, Net-of-Tax Amount	(15,444)	26,237
Ownership Share of Equity Method Investee's Other Comprehensive Loss, Net other comprehensive income (loss)	214	5,509
Defined Benefit Pension and Postretirement Plans, Net other comprehensive income (loss)	7,241	813
Unrealized gain on derivative contracts, Net-of-Tax Amount	152	3,041
Unrealized gain (loss) on debt securities, Net-of-Tax Amount	(141)	133
TOTAL OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS), NET OF TAX	(7,978)	35,733
Less: Other comprehensive income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests, Net-of-Tax Amount	(507)	45
Other comprehensive income (loss) attributable to Fluor Corporation, Net-of-Tax Amount	$ (7,471)	$ 35,688