Document and Entity Information	9 Months Ended
Oct. 01, 2011	Oct. 21, 2011
Entity Information [Line Items]
Entity Registrant Name	Arrow Electronics Inc
Entity Central Index Key	0000007536
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--12-31
Entity Filer Category	Large Accelerated Filer
Document Type	10-Q
Document Period End Date	Oct. 01, 2011
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2011
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q3
Amendment Flag	false
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		111,732,608
Entity Well-known Seasoned Issuer	No
Entity Voluntary Filers	No
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes

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