Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations (USD $) In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2012	Jul. 02, 2011	Jun. 30, 2012	Jul. 02, 2011
Income Statement [Abstract]
Net sales	$ 1,469,793	$ 1,477,854	$ 2,878,828	$ 2,821,449
Cost of sales	1,081,329	1,095,607	2,130,938	2,097,610
Gross profit	388,464	382,247	747,890	723,839
Selling, general and administrative expenses	280,746	280,547	568,196	566,055
Operating income	107,718	101,700	179,694	157,784
Interest expense	18,844	25,760	41,342	52,355
Other expense (income)	440	396	(1,385)	381
Earnings before income taxes	88,434	75,544	139,737	105,048
Income tax expense	15,246	13,450	25,537	18,416
Net earnings	73,188	62,094	114,200	86,632
Less: Net earnings attributable to noncontrolling interest	0	1,191	635	2,287
Net earnings attributable to Mohawk Industries, Inc.	$ 73,188	$ 60,903	$ 113,565	$ 84,345
Basic earnings per share attributable to Mohawk Industries, Inc.	$ 1.06	$ 0.89	$ 1.65	$ 1.23
Weighted-average common shares outstanding-basic	68,984	68,744	68,923	68,709
Diluted earnings per share attributable to Mohawk Industries, Inc.	$ 1.06	$ 0.88	$ 1.64	$ 1.22
Weighted-average common shares outstanding-diluted	69,259	68,981	69,204	68,942