Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations (USD $) In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 29, 2012	Oct. 01, 2011	Sep. 29, 2012	Oct. 01, 2011
Income Statement [Abstract]
Net sales	$ 1,473,493	$ 1,442,512	$ 4,352,321	$ 4,263,961
Cost of sales	1,100,656	1,084,889	3,231,594	3,182,499
Gross profit	372,837	357,623	1,120,727	1,081,462
Selling, general and administrative expenses	268,883	266,159	837,079	832,214
Operating income	103,954	91,464	283,648	249,248
Interest expense	17,969	25,132	59,311	77,487
Other expense (income)	322	13,413	(1,063)	13,794
Earnings before income taxes	85,663	52,919	225,400	157,967
Income tax expense	15,359	5,223	40,896	23,639
Net earnings	70,304	47,696	184,504	134,328
Less: Net earnings attributable to noncontrolling interest	0	1,050	635	3,337
Net earnings attributable to Mohawk Industries, Inc.	$ 70,304	$ 46,646	$ 183,869	$ 130,991
Basic earnings per share attributable to Mohawk Industries, Inc. (in usd per share)	$ 1.02	$ 0.68	$ 2.67	$ 1.91
Weighted-average common shares outstanding-basic (in shares)	69,010	68,759	68,952	68,725
Diluted earnings per share attributable to Mohawk Industries, Inc. (in usd per share)	$ 1.01	$ 0.68	$ 2.66	$ 1.90
Weighted-average common shares outstanding-diluted (in shares)	69,337	68,954	69,247	68,946