Consolidated Statements of Operations - USD ($) shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Income Statement [Abstract]
Net sales	$ 8,959,087	$ 8,071,563	$ 7,803,446
Cost of sales	6,146,262	5,660,877	5,649,254
Gross profit	2,812,825	2,410,686	2,154,192
Selling, general and administrative expenses	1,532,882	1,573,120	1,381,396
Operating income	1,279,943	837,566	772,796
Interest expense	40,547	71,086	98,207
Other (income) expense	(1,729)	17,619	10,698
Earnings before income taxes	1,241,125	748,861	663,891
Income tax expense	307,559	131,875	131,637
Net earnings including noncontrolling interest	933,566	616,986	532,254
Net earnings attributable to noncontrolling interest	3,204	1,684	289
Net earnings attributable to Mohawk Industries, Inc.	$ 930,362	$ 615,302	$ 531,965
Basic earnings per share attributable to Mohawk Industries, Inc.
Basic earnings per share attributable to Mohawk Industries, Inc. (usd per share)	$ 12.55	$ 8.37	$ 7.30
Weighted-average common shares outstanding—basic (in shares)	74,104	73,516	72,837
Diluted earnings per share attributable to Mohawk Industries, Inc.
Diluted earnings per share attributable to Mohawk Industries, Inc. (usd per share)	$ 12.48	$ 8.31	$ 7.25
Weighted-average common shares outstanding—diluted (in shares)	74,568	74,043	73,363