Earnings per share (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
Apr. 04, 2015	Mar. 29, 2014
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]
Earnings from continuing operations attributable to Mohawk Industries, Inc.	$ 22,346	$ 81,081
Weighted-average common shares outstanding-basic (in shares)	72,988	72,742
Add weighted-average dilutive potential common shares-options and RSU's to purchase common shares, net (in shares)	542	540
Weighted-average common shares outstanding-diluted (in shares)	73,530	73,282
Basic earnings per share from continuing operations attributable to Mohawk Industries, Inc, (in usd per share)	$ 0.31	$ 1.11
Diluted earnings per share from continuing operations attributable to Mohawk Industries, Inc. (in usd per share)	$ 0.30	$ 1.11

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Amount of income (loss) from continuing operations attributable to the parent. Also defined as revenue less expenses and taxes from ongoing operations before extraordinary items but after deduction of those portions of income or loss from continuing operations that are allocable to noncontrolling interests.

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

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The amount of net income (loss) derived from continuing operations during 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.

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

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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.

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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.

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