Segment reporting information number of reporting segments.

No definition available.

Name:	mhk_SegmentReportingInformationNumberOfReportingSegments
Namespace Prefix:	mhk_
Data Type:	xbrli:integerItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Sum of the carrying amounts as of the balance sheet date of all assets that are recognized. Assets are probable future economic benefits obtained or controlled by an entity as a result of past transactions or events.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 210

-SubTopic 10

-Section S99

-Paragraph 1

-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02.18)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6877327&loc=d3e13212-122682

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 210

-SubTopic 10

-Section S99

-Paragraph 1

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6877327&loc=d3e13212-122682

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher SEC

-Name Regulation S-X (SX)

-Number 210

-Section 03

-Paragraph 12

-Article 7

Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher SEC

-Name Regulation S-X (SX)

-Number 210

-Section 02

-Paragraph 18

-Article 5

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_Assets
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Sum of the carrying amounts as of the balance sheet date of all assets that are expected to be realized in cash, sold or consumed after one year or beyond the normal operating cycle, if longer.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher SEC

-Name Regulation S-X (SX)

-Number 210

-Section 02

-Paragraph 18

-Article 5

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 210

-SubTopic 10

-Section S99

-Paragraph 1

-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02.10-17)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6877327&loc=d3e13212-122682

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_AssetsNoncurrent
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

The aggregate expense recognized in the current period that allocates the cost of tangible assets, intangible assets, or depleting assets to periods that benefit from use of the assets.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 230

-SubTopic 10

-Section 45

-Paragraph 28

-Subparagraph (b)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=31042434&loc=d3e3602-108585

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_DepreciationDepletionAndAmortization
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

The net result for the period of deducting operating expenses from operating revenues.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_OperatingIncomeLoss
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

The cash outflow associated with the acquisition of long-lived, physical assets that are used in the normal conduct of business to produce goods and services and not intended for resale; includes cash outflows to pay for construction of self-constructed assets.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Glossary Investing Activities

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6516133

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 230

-SubTopic 10

-Section 45

-Paragraph 13

-Subparagraph (c)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=31042434&loc=d3e3213-108585

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_PaymentsToAcquirePropertyPlantAndEquipment
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Amount of revenue recognized from goods sold, services rendered, insurance premiums, or other activities that constitute an earning process. Includes, but is not limited to, investment and interest income before deduction of interest expense when recognized as a component of revenue, and sales and trading gain (loss).

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 225

-SubTopic 10

-Section S99

-Paragraph 2

-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-03.1)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=26872669&loc=d3e20235-122688

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher SEC

-Name Regulation S-X (SX)

-Number 210

-Section 03

-Paragraph 1

-Article 5

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_Revenues
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Aggregate revenue during the period from the sale of goods in the normal course of business, after deducting returns, allowances and discounts.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 225

-SubTopic 10

-Section S99

-Paragraph 2

-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-03.1(a))

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=26872669&loc=d3e20235-122688

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher SEC

-Name Regulation S-X (SX)

-Number 210

-Section 03

-Paragraph 1

-Article 5

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_SalesRevenueGoodsNet
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_SegmentReportingInformationLineItems
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_ProductOrServiceAxis=mhk_SoftSurfaceMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_ProductOrServiceAxis=mhk_TileMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_ProductOrServiceAxis=mhk_WoodMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis=mhk_CarpetSegmentMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis=mhk_CeramicSegmentMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis=mhk_CorporateAndIntersegmentEliminationsMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis=mhk_LaminateandWoodSegmentMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis=us-gaap_CorporateMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_StatementGeographicalAxis=mhk_RestOfWorldMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_StatementGeographicalAxis=us-gaap_NorthAmericaMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

Segment reporting (Summary of segment information) (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014	Sep. 27, 2014	Jun. 28, 2014	Mar. 29, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Sep. 28, 2013	Jun. 29, 2013	Mar. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2014 segment	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales	$ 1,951,446us-gaap_SalesRevenueGoodsNet	$ 1,990,658us-gaap_SalesRevenueGoodsNet	$ 2,048,247us-gaap_SalesRevenueGoodsNet	$ 1,813,095us-gaap_SalesRevenueGoodsNet	$ 1,924,104us-gaap_SalesRevenueGoodsNet	$ 1,961,536us-gaap_SalesRevenueGoodsNet	$ 1,976,299us-gaap_SalesRevenueGoodsNet	$ 1,486,815us-gaap_SalesRevenueGoodsNet	$ 7,803,446us-gaap_SalesRevenueGoodsNet	$ 7,348,754us-gaap_SalesRevenueGoodsNet	$ 5,787,980us-gaap_SalesRevenueGoodsNet
Intersegment sales									(116,348)us-gaap_Revenues	(106,660)us-gaap_Revenues	(90,807)us-gaap_Revenues
Operating income (loss)									772,796us-gaap_OperatingIncomeLoss	546,931us-gaap_OperatingIncomeLoss	379,508us-gaap_OperatingIncomeLoss
Depreciation and amortization									345,570	308,871	280,293
Capital expenditures (excluding acquisitions)									561,804	366,550	208,294
Assets	8,285,544us-gaap_Assets				8,494,177us-gaap_Assets				8,285,544us-gaap_Assets	8,494,177us-gaap_Assets	6,303,684us-gaap_Assets
Long-lived assets	4,307,562us-gaap_AssetsNoncurrent				4,437,835us-gaap_AssetsNoncurrent				4,307,562us-gaap_AssetsNoncurrent	4,437,835us-gaap_AssetsNoncurrent	3,078,623us-gaap_AssetsNoncurrent
Number of reporting segments									3
Carpet Segment [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales									3,013,948	2,986,096	2,912,055
Operating income (loss)									255,938	209,023	158,196
Depreciation and amortization									99,407	94,314	95,648
Capital expenditures (excluding acquisitions)									228,590	158,690	97,972
Assets	1,986,081				1,786,085				1,986,081	1,786,085	1,721,214
Ceramic Segment [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales									3,015,279	2,677,058	1,616,383
Operating income (loss)									351,113	209,825	120,951
Depreciation and amortization									120,121	97,126	41,176
Capital expenditures (excluding acquisitions)									192,642	110,750	49,426
Assets	3,542,594				3,787,785				3,542,594	3,787,785	1,731,258
Laminate and Wood Segment [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales									1,890,567	1,792,260	1,350,349
Operating income (loss)									194,734	159,365	126,409
Depreciation and amortization									115,360	105,907	132,183
Capital expenditures (excluding acquisitions)									131,296	88,293	56,605
Assets	2,542,566				2,716,759				2,542,566	2,716,759	2,672,389
Corporate [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Depreciation and amortization									10,682	11,524	11,286
Capital expenditures (excluding acquisitions)									9,276	8,817	4,291
Corporate and Intersegment Eliminations [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Operating income (loss)									(28,989)	(31,282)	(26,048)
Assets	214,303				203,548				214,303	203,548	178,823
North America [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales									5,547,867	5,512,182	4,798,804
Long-lived assets	2,513,977				2,332,296				2,513,977	2,332,296	1,968,561
Rest Of World [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales									2,255,579	1,836,572	989,176
Long-lived assets	1,793,585				2,105,539				1,793,585	2,105,539	1,110,062
Soft Surface [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales									2,764,370	2,756,627	2,696,462
Tile [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales									3,087,895	2,744,289	1,676,971
Wood [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales									$ 1,951,181	$ 1,847,838	$ 1,414,547