Consolidated Statements of Operations - USD ($) shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Income Statement [Abstract]
Net sales	$ 9,983,634	$ 9,491,290	$ 8,959,087
Cost of sales	7,145,564	6,494,876	6,146,262
Gross profit	2,838,070	2,996,414	2,812,825
Selling, general and administrative expenses	1,742,744	1,642,241	1,532,882
Operating income	1,095,326	1,354,173	1,279,943
Interest expense	38,827	31,111	40,547
Other expense (income)	7,298	5,205	(1,729)
Earnings before income taxes	1,049,201	1,317,857	1,241,125
Income tax expense	184,346	343,165	307,559
Net earnings including noncontrolling interest	864,855	974,692	933,566
Net earnings attributable to noncontrolling interest	3,151	3,054	3,204
Net earnings attributable to Mohawk Industries, Inc.	$ 861,704	$ 971,638	$ 930,362
Basic earnings per share attributable to Mohawk Industries, Inc.
Basic earnings per share attributable to Mohawk Industries, Inc. (usd per share)	$ 11.53	$ 13.07	$ 12.55
Weighted-average common shares outstanding—basic (in shares)	74,413	74,357	74,104
Diluted earnings per share attributable to Mohawk Industries, Inc.
Diluted earnings per share attributable to Mohawk Industries, Inc. (usd per share)	$ 11.47	$ 12.98	$ 12.48
Weighted-average common shares outstanding—diluted (in shares)	74,773	74,839	74,568