Stock-Based Compensation Stock Option Summary (Details) (Employee Stock Option [Member], USD $) In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2012		Dec. 31, 2011		Dec. 31, 2010		Dec. 31, 2009
Employee Stock Option [Member]
[Line Items]
Outstanding, beginning balance, Number	1,109		1,102		1,179
Outstanding, beginning balance, Weighted Average Exercise Price Per Share	$ 55.97		$ 55.21		$ 52.93
Outstanding, beginning balance, Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Term	4 years 9 months 23 days		4 years 6 months 4 days		5 years 6 months 29 days		5 years 10 months 24 days
Outstanding, beginning balance, Aggregate Intrinsic Value	$ 2,323	[1]	$ 10,883	[1]	$ 22,863	[1]
Granted, Number	196		113		71
Granted, Weighted Average Exercise Price Per Share	$ 43.27		$ 51.12		$ 61.97
Granted, Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value	$ 16.51		$ 21.38		$ 27.18
Exercised, Number	(54)		(42)		(148)
Exercised, Weighted Average Exercise Price Per Share	$ 21.91		$ 19.71		$ 40.51
Exercised, Aggregate Intrinsic Value	1,078	[1]	1,283	[1]	4,532	[1]
Forfeited, Number			(63)
Forfeited, Weighted Average Exercise Price Per Share			$ 58.50
Expired, Number	(114)		(1)
Expired, Weighted Average Exercise Price Per Share	$ 69.37		$ 7.00
Outstanding, ending balance, Number	1,137		1,109		1,102		1,179
Outstanding, ending balance, Weighted Average Exercise Price Per Share	$ 54.06		$ 55.97		$ 55.21		$ 52.93
Outstanding, ending balance, Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Term	4 years 9 months 23 days		4 years 6 months 4 days		5 years 6 months 29 days		5 years 10 months 24 days
Outstanding, ending balance, Aggregate Intrinsic Value	3,815	[1]	2,323	[1]	10,883	[1]	22,863	[1]
Exercisable, Number	899
Exercisable, Weighted Average Exercise Price Per Share	$ 56.37
Exercisable, Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Term	3 years 7 months 7 days
Exercisable, Aggregate Intrinsic Value	3,308	[1]
Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award Options Expected To Vest Number	222
Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award Options Expected To Vest Outstanding Weighted Average Exercise Price	$ 45.49
Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award Options Expected To Vest Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Term	9 years 4 months 6 days
Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award Options Expected To Vest Aggregate Intrinsic Value	$ 468	[1]

[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.