Income Taxes [Line Items]

No definition available.

Name:	flir_IncomeTaxesLineItems
Namespace Prefix:	flir_
Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Estimated amount of loss resulting from an adverse tax position.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 740
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 15
-Subparagraph (d)(3)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=84230637&loc=d3e32718-109319

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_IncomeTaxExaminationEstimateOfPossibleLoss
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Amount of cash restricted as to withdrawal or usage. Cash includes, but is not limited to, currency on hand, demand deposits with banks or financial institutions, and other accounts with general characteristics of demand deposits.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 210
-SubTopic 10
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02(1))
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6877327&loc=d3e13212-122682

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 230
-SubTopic 10
-Section 45
-Paragraph 4
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=98514028&loc=d3e3044-108585

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 942
-SubTopic 210
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.9-03(1)(a))
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6876686&loc=d3e534808-122878

Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 230
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 8
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=98513485&loc=SL98516268-108586

Reference 5: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 944
-SubTopic 210
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.7-03(a)(2))
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6879938&loc=d3e572229-122910

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_RestrictedCash
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Amount of increase (decrease) to previously recorded tax expense. Includes, but is not limited to, significant settlements of income tax disputes, and unusual tax positions or infrequent actions taken by the entity, including tax assessment reversal, and IRS tax settlement.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 740
-SubTopic 10
-Section 25
-Paragraph 8
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=96869850&loc=d3e28446-109314

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 740
-SubTopic 10
-Section 25
-Paragraph 10
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=96869850&loc=d3e28511-109314

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_TaxAdjustmentsSettlementsAndUnusualProvisions
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Amount of undistributed earnings of foreign subsidiaries intended to be permanently reinvested outside the country of domicile.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 944
-SubTopic 740
-Section 50
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (b)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6487024&loc=d3e29054-158556

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 942
-SubTopic 740
-Section 50
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (b)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6479915&loc=d3e66715-112838

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 995
-SubTopic 740
-Section 50
-Paragraph 2
-Subparagraph (b)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6503627&loc=d3e59836-110443

Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 740
-SubTopic 10
-Section 25
-Paragraph 3
-Subparagraph (a)(1)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=96869850&loc=d3e28200-109314

Reference 5: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 740
-SubTopic 30
-Section 50
-Paragraph 2
-Subparagraph (b)(c)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6424122&loc=d3e41874-109331

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_UndistributedEarningsOfForeignSubsidiaries
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeAxis=us-gaap_SubsequentEventMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	flir_UnusualprovisiontypeAxis=flir_TransitionMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	flir_UnusualprovisiontypeAxis=flir_RemeasurementnewtaxrateMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	flir_UnusualprovisiontypeAxis=flir_StateandForeignonundistributedforeignearningsMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_StatementGeographicalAxis=country_SE
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

Income Taxes (Details 2) - USD ($) $ in Millions		9 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
Income Taxes (Details 2) - USD ($) $ in Millions	Oct. 23, 2018	Sep. 30, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Income Taxes [Line Items]
Tax Adjustments, Settlements, and Unusual Provisions			$ 94.4	$ 39.6
Undistributed Earnings of Foreign Subsidiaries		$ 902.0	1,000.0
Restricted Cash		35.7
Subsequent Event
Income Taxes [Line Items]
Tax Adjustments, Settlements, and Unusual Provisions	$ (33.0)
Transition [Member]
Income Taxes [Line Items]
Tax Adjustments, Settlements, and Unusual Provisions			66.5
remeasurement new tax rate [Member]
Income Taxes [Line Items]
Tax Adjustments, Settlements, and Unusual Provisions		9.9	12.8
State and Foreign on undistributed foreign earnings [Member]
Income Taxes [Line Items]
Tax Adjustments, Settlements, and Unusual Provisions		0.6	$ 15.1
SWEDEN
Income Taxes [Line Items]
Income Tax Examination, Estimate of Possible Loss		$ 300.0