Stock-Based Compensation Stock Option Summary (Details) (Employee Stock Option [Member], USD $) In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2012		Mar. 31, 2011
Employee Stock Option [Member]
[Line Items]
Outstanding, beginning balance, Number	1,109		1,102
Outstanding, beginning balance, Weighted Average Exercise Price Per Share	$ 55.97		$ 55.21
Outstanding, beginning balance, Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Term	4.51		5.58
Outstanding, beginning balance, Aggregate Intrinsic Value	$ 2,323	[1]	$ 10,883	[1]
Granted, Number	54		78
Granted, Weighted Average Exercise Price Per Share	$ 48.23		$ 56.64
Granted, Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value	$ 18.64		$ 23.93
Exercised, Number	(13)		(18)
Exercised, Weighted Average Exercise Price Per Share	$ 21.60		$ 19.46
Exercised, Aggregate Intrinsic Value	280	[1]	737	[1]
Expired, Number	(1)		(1)
Expired, Weighted Average Exercise Price Per Share	$ 48.51		$ 7.00
Outstanding, ending balance, Number	1,149		1,161
Outstanding, ending balance, Weighted Average Exercise Price Per Share	$ 56.00		$ 55.89
Outstanding, ending balance, Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Term	4.42		5.70
Outstanding, ending balance, Aggregate Intrinsic Value	4,638	[1]	10,774	[1]
Exercisable, Number	1,023		988
Exercisable, Weighted Average Exercise Price Per Share	$ 56.93		$ 53.58
Exercisable, Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Term	3.81		5.18
Exercisable, Aggregate Intrinsic Value	4,400	[1]	10,774	[1]
Expected to Vest, Number	116		163
Expected to Vest, Weighted Average Exercise Price Per Share	$ 48.50		$ 69.69
Expected to Vest, Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Term	9.39		8.63
Expected to Vest, Aggregate Intrinsic Value	$ 219		$ 0

[1] The aggregate intrinsic value of outstanding stock options represents amounts that would have been received by the optionees had all in- the-money options been exercised on that date. Specifically, it is the amount by which the market value of Itron’s stock exceeded the exercise price of the outstanding in-the-money options before applicable income taxes, based on our closing stock price on the last business day of the period. The aggregate intrinsic value of stock options exercised during the period is calculated based on our stock price at the date of exercise.