Acquisitions (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
	Apr. 04, 2015	Mar. 29, 2014	Feb. 02, 2015	Jan. 03, 2015
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Goodwill	$ 767,222,000			$ 320,538,000
Siemens Health Services [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Business Acquisition, Effective Date of Acquisition	Feb. 02, 2015
Business Acquisition, Name of Acquired Entity	Siemens Health Services
Business Combination, Reason for Business Combination	We believe the acquisition enhances our organic growth opportunities as it provides us a larger base into which we can sell our combined portfolio of solutions and services. The acquisition also augments our non-U.S. footprint and growth opportunities, increases our scale for R&D investment, and adds over 5,000 highly-skilled associates that will enhance our capabilities.
Business Combination, Goodwill Recognized, Description	These factors, combined with the synergies and economies of scale expected from combining the operations of Cerner and Siemens Health Services, are the basis for acquisition and comprise the resulting goodwill recorded.
Business Acquisition, Description of Acquired Entity	Siemens Health Services offers a portfolio of enterprise-level clinical and financial health care information technology solutions, as well as departmental, connectivity, population health, and care coordination solutions globally. Solutions are offered on the Soarian, Invision, and i.s.h.med platforms, among others. Siemens Health Services also offers a range of complementary services including support, hosting, managed services, implementation services, and strategic consulting
Business Combination, Consideration Transferred	1,370,000,000
Business Combination, Base Purchase Price	1,300,000,000
Business Acquisition, Date of Acquisition Agreement	Aug. 05, 2014
Business Acquisition, Transaction Costs	17,000,000
Business Combination, Provisional Information, Initial Accounting Incomplete, Reasons	The allocation of purchase price is preliminary and subject to changes, which could be significant, as appraisals of tangible and intangible assets are finalized, working capital and pension obligation adjustments are agreed upon and finalized, and additional information becomes available.
Business Combination, Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed, Current Assets, Receivables			237,081,000
Business Combination, Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed, Allowance			33,674,000
Business Combination, Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed, Other Assets			51,453,000
Business Combination, Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed, Property, Plant, and Equipment			153,226,000
Business Combination, Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired, PP&E, Weighted Average Useful Life	20 years
Business Combination, Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed, Finite-Lived Intangibles			637,980,000
Business Combination, Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed, Other Noncurrent Assets			233,000
Business Combination, Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed, Current Liabilities, Accounts Payable			(39,488,000)
Business Combination, Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed, Current Liabilities, Deferred Revenue			(89,531,000)
Business Combination, Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed, Current Liabilities, Other			(14,011,000)
Business Combination, Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed, Noncurrent Liabilities, Deferred Revenue			(14,930,000)
Business Combination, Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed, Net			1,372,014,000
Business Acquisition, Goodwill, Expected Tax Deductible Amount			450,001,000
Goodwill	767,222,000		450,001,000	320,538,000
Goodwill, Acquired During Period	450,001,000
Goodwill, Translation Adjustments	(3,317,000)
Business Combination, Pro Forma Information, Revenue of Acquiree since Acquisition Date, Actual	176,000,000
Business Combination, Pro Forma Information, Disclosure Impracticable	Disclosure of the earnings contribution from the Cerner Health Services business is not practicable, as we have already integrated operations in many areas.
Business Acquisition, Pro Forma Revenue	1,089,769,000	1,065,800,000
Business Acquisition, Pro Forma Net Income (Loss)	114,333,000	99,089,000
Business Acquisition, Pro Forma Earnings Per Share, Diluted	$ 0.33	$ 0.28
Business Acquisition, Pro Forma Information, Description	These pro forma results are based on estimates and assumptions, which we believe are reasonable. They are not the results that would have been realized had we been a combined company during the periods presented, nor are they indicative of our consolidated results of operations in future periods.
Domestic Segment | Siemens Health Services [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Goodwill	708,878,000			311,170,000
Goodwill, Acquired During Period	397,708,000
Goodwill, Translation Adjustments	0
Global Segment | Siemens Health Services [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Goodwill	58,344,000			9,368,000
Goodwill, Acquired During Period	52,293,000
Goodwill, Translation Adjustments	(3,317,000)
Customer Relationships [Member] | Siemens Health Services [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Business Combination, Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed, Finite-Lived Intangibles			396,000,000
Acquired Finite-lived Intangible Assets, Weighted Average Useful Life	10 years
Developed Technology Rights [Member] | Siemens Health Services [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Business Combination, Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed, Finite-Lived Intangibles			201,990,000
Acquired Finite-lived Intangible Assets, Weighted Average Useful Life	5 years
Trade Names [Member] | Siemens Health Services [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Business Combination, Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed, Finite-Lived Intangibles			39,990,000
Acquired Finite-lived Intangible Assets, Weighted Average Useful Life	8 years
Intangible Amortization Adjustment [Member] | Siemens Health Services [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Acquisition-related Adjustments	7,000,000	22,000,000
Fair Value Adjustment to Deferred Revenue [Member] | Siemens Health Services [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Acquisition-related Adjustments	6,000,000	19,000,000
Acquisition-related Costs [Member] | Siemens Health Services [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Acquisition-related Adjustments	$ 17,000,000