Consolidated Statements of Operations - USD ($) shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Income Statement [Abstract]
Revenues	$ 2,013,186	$ 1,883,533	$ 1,947,616
Cost of revenues	1,352,866	1,326,848	1,333,566
Gross profit	660,320	556,685	614,050
Operating expenses
Sales and marketing	158,883	161,380	182,503
Product development	168,209	162,334	175,500
General and administrative	162,815	155,715	162,466
Amortization of Intangible Assets	25,112	31,673	43,619
Restructuring	49,090	(7,263)	49,482
Total operating expenses	564,109	503,839	613,570
Operating income	96,211	52,846	480
Other income (expense)
Interest income	865	761	494
Interest expense	(10,948)	(12,289)	(11,602)
Other income (expense), net	(1,501)	(4,216)	(7,637)
Total other income (expense)	(11,584)	(15,744)	(18,745)
Income (loss) before income taxes	84,627	37,102	(18,265)
Income tax provision	(49,574)	(22,099)	(4,035)
Net income (loss)	35,053	15,003	(22,300)
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests	3,283	2,325	1,370
Net income (loss) attributable to Itron, Inc.	$ 31,770	$ 12,678	$ (23,670)
Earnings (loss) per common share - Basic	$ 0.83	$ 0.33	$ (0.60)
Earnings (loss) per common share - Diluted	$ 0.82	$ 0.33	$ (0.60)
Weighted average common shares outstanding - Basic	38,207	38,224	39,184
Weighted average common shares outstanding - Diluted	38,643	38,506	39,184