Cover page - USD ($)	12 Months Ended
	Jan. 03, 2020	Feb. 12, 2020	Jun. 28, 2019
Cover page [Line Items]
Document Type	10-K
Document Annual Report	true
Document Period End Date	Jan. 03, 2020
Document Transition Report	false
Entity File Number	001-10212
Entity Registrant Name	Anixter International Inc.
Entity Incorporation, State or Country Code	DE
Entity Tax Identification Number	94-1658138
Entity Address, Address Line One	2301 Patriot Blvd.
Entity Address, City or Town	Glenview
Entity Address, State or Province	IL
Entity Address, Postal Zip Code	60026
City Area Code	224
Local Phone Number	521-8000
Title of 12(b) Security	Common stock, $1 par value
Trading Symbol	AXE
Security Exchange Name	NYSE
Entity Well-known Seasoned Issuer	Yes
Entity Voluntary Filers	No
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes
Entity Interactive Data Current	Yes
Entity Filer Category	Large Accelerated Filer
Entity Small Business	false
Entity Emerging Growth Company	false
Entity Shell Company	false
Entity Public Float			$ 1,810,436,970
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		33,830,569
Amendment Flag	false
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2019
Document Fiscal Period Focus	FY
Entity Central Index Key	0000052795
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--01-03