Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations (USD $) In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 29, 2013	Jun. 30, 2012	Jun. 29, 2013	Jun. 30, 2012
Income Statement [Abstract]
Net sales	$ 1,976,299	$ 1,469,793	$ 3,463,114	$ 2,878,828
Cost of sales	1,462,243	1,081,329	2,571,992	2,130,938
Gross profit	514,056	388,464	891,122	747,890
Selling, general and administrative expenses	380,858	280,746	671,082	568,196
Operating income	133,198	107,718	220,040	179,694
Interest expense	25,312	18,844	44,468	41,342
Other expense (income)	(1,097)	440	5,290	(1,385)
Earnings before income taxes	108,983	88,434	170,282	139,737
Income tax expense	23,240	15,246	33,972	25,537
Net earnings	85,743	73,188	136,310	114,200
Loss from discontinued operations, net of income tax benefit of $485	(1,361)	0	(1,361)	0
Net earnings including noncontrolling interest	84,382	73,188	134,949	114,200
Less: Net earnings attributable to noncontrolling interest	(190)	0	(118)	635
Net earnings attributable to Mohawk Industries, Inc.	$ 84,572	$ 73,188	$ 135,067	$ 113,565
Income from continuing operations	$ 1.19	$ 1.06	$ 1.92	$ 1.65
Loss from discontinued operations	$ (0.02)	$ 0.00	$ (0.02)	$ 0.00
Basic earnings per share attributable to Mohawk Industries, Inc. (in usd per share)	$ 1.17	$ 1.06	$ 1.90	$ 1.65
Weighted-average common shares outstanding-basic (in shares)	72,406	68,984	70,907	68,923
Income from continuing operations	$ 1.18	$ 1.06	$ 1.91	$ 1.64
Loss from discontinued operations	$ (0.02)	$ 0.00	$ (0.02)	$ 0.00
Diluted earnings per share attributable to Mohawk Industries, Inc. (in usd per share)	$ 1.16	$ 1.06	$ 1.89	$ 1.64
Weighted-average common shares outstanding-diluted (in shares)	72,867	69,259	71,405	69,204