Earnings per share (Details) (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
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]
Net earnings available to common stockholders	$ 70,304	$ 46,646	$ 183,869	$ 130,991
Weighted-average common shares outstanding-basic (in shares)	69,010	68,759	68,952	68,725
Add weighted-average dilutive potential common shares-options and RSU's to purchase common shares, net	327	195	295	221
Weighted-average common shares outstanding-diluted (in shares)	69,337	68,954	69,247	68,946
Basic earnings per share attributable to Mohawk Industries, Inc. (in usd per share)	$ 1.02	$ 0.68	$ 2.67	$ 1.91
Diluted earnings per share attributable to Mohawk Industries, Inc. (in usd per share)	$ 1.01	$ 0.68	$ 2.66	$ 1.90
Number of Common Stock Options And Unvested Restritced Shares not included in EPS (in shares)	902	1,200	948	1,183

Securities (including those issuable pursuant to contingent stock agreements) that could potentially dilute basic earnings per share (EPS) or earnings per unit (EPU) in the future that were not included in the computation of diluted EPS or EPU because to do so would increase EPS or EPU amounts or decrease loss per share or unit amounts for the period presented.

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-Glossary Contingent Stock Agreement

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6508534

+ Details

- Definition

The amount of net income (loss) for the period per each share of common stock or unit outstanding during the reporting period.

+ References

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- Definition

The amount of net income (loss) for the period available to each share of common stock or common unit outstanding during the reporting period and to each share or unit that would have been outstanding assuming the issuance of common shares or units for all dilutive potential common shares or units outstanding during the reporting period.

+ References+ Details

- Definition

The portion of profit or loss for the period, net of income taxes, which is attributable to the parent.

+ References

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-Glossary Other Comprehensive Income

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+ Details

- Definition

The sum of dilutive potential common shares or units used in the calculation of the diluted per-share or per-unit computation.

+ References+ Details

- Definition

The average number of shares or units issued and outstanding that are used in calculating diluted EPS or earnings per unit (EPU), determined based on the timing of issuance of shares or units in the period.

+ References+ Details

- Definition

Number of [basic] shares or units, after adjustment for contingently issuable shares or units and other shares or units not deemed outstanding, determined by relating the portion of time within a reporting period that common shares or units have been outstanding to the total time in that period.

+ References

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