Additional borrowing capacity on credit facility if agreed to by lenders

No definition available.

Name:	pmtc_AdditionalBorrowingCapacityOnCreditFacilityIfAgreedToByLenders
Namespace Prefix:	pmtc_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Cash Investment Limit For Acquisition of Business

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	pmtc_CashInvestmentLimitForAcquisitionOfBusiness
Namespace Prefix:	pmtc_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Component of Base Rate, Basis Spread on Adjusted LIBOR

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	pmtc_ComponentOfBaseRateBasisSpreadOnAdjustedLibor
Namespace Prefix:	pmtc_
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Component of Base Rate, Basis Spread on Federal Funds Effective Rate

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	pmtc_ComponentOfBaseRateBasisSpreadOnFederalFundsEffectiveRate
Namespace Prefix:	pmtc_
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Consolidated trailing four quarters EBITDA less capital expenditures to consolidated fixed charges

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	pmtc_DebtCovenantFixedChargeCoverageRatioMinimum
Namespace Prefix:	pmtc_
Data Type:	xbrli:decimalItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Consolidated funded indebtedness to consolidated trailing four quarters EBITDA

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	pmtc_DebtCovenantLeverageRatioMaximum
Namespace Prefix:	pmtc_
Data Type:	xbrli:decimalItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Actual fixed charge coverage ratio -- metric for determining debt covenant compliance

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	pmtc_FixedChargeCoverageRatioActual
Namespace Prefix:	pmtc_
Data Type:	xbrli:decimalItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Investment in Foreign Subsidiaries Authorized Amount

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	pmtc_InvestmentInForeignSubsidiariesAuthorizedAmount
Namespace Prefix:	pmtc_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Actual leverage ratio -- metric for determining compliance with debt covenant

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	pmtc_LeverageRatioActual
Namespace Prefix:	pmtc_
Data Type:	xbrli:decimalItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Line of Credit Facility, Variable Interest Rate, Length of Time Between Updates

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	pmtc_LineOfCreditFacilityVariableInterestRateLengthOfTimeBetweenUpdates
Namespace Prefix:	pmtc_
Data Type:	xbrli:durationItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Voting interest in foreign subsidiaries pledged against credit facility

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	pmtc_VotingInterestInForeignSubsidiariesPledgedAgainstCreditFacility
Namespace Prefix:	pmtc_
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Percentage points added to the reference rate to compute the variable rate on the debt instrument.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_DebtInstrumentBasisSpreadOnVariableRate1
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Details

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

- Definition

The carrying value as of the balance sheet date of the current and noncurrent portions of long-term obligations drawn from a line of credit, which is a bank's commitment to make loans up to a specific amount. Examples of items that might be included in the application of this element may consist of letters of credit, standby letters of credit, and revolving credit arrangements, under which borrowings can be made up to a maximum amount as of any point in time conditional on satisfaction of specified terms before, as of and after the date of drawdowns on the line. Includes short-term obligations that would normally be classified as current liabilities but for which (a) postbalance sheet date issuance of a long term obligation to refinance the short term obligation on a long term basis, or (b) the enterprise has entered into a financing agreement that clearly permits the enterprise to refinance the short-term obligation on a long term basis and the following conditions are met (1) the agreement does not expire within 1 year and is not cancelable by the lender except for violation of an objectively determinable provision, (2) no violation exists at the BS date, and (3) the lender has entered into the financing agreement is expected to be financially capable of honoring the agreement.

+ References

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

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 942

-SubTopic 210

-Section S99

-Paragraph 1

-Subparagraph (SX 210.9-03.16)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6876686&loc=d3e534808-122878

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

-Publisher SEC

-Name Regulation S-X (SX)

-Number 210

-Section 02

-Paragraph 19, 20, 22

-Article 5

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

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 944

-SubTopic 210

-Section S99

-Paragraph 1

-Subparagraph (SX 210.7-03.16)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6879938&loc=d3e572229-122910

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_LineOfCredit
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

The fee, expressed as a percentage of the line of credit facility, for the line of credit facility regardless of whether the facility has been used.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityCommitmentFeePercentage
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

The effective interest rate at the end of the reporting period.

+ 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 210.5-02.19(b),22(b))

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

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

-Publisher SEC

-Name Regulation S-X (SX)

-Number 210

-Section 02

-Paragraph 19, 22

-Article 5

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityInterestRateAtPeriodEnd
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Maximum borrowing capacity under the credit facility without consideration of any current restrictions on the amount that could be borrowed or the amounts currently outstanding under the facility.

+ References

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityMaximumBorrowingCapacity
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Amount of borrowing capacity currently available under the credit facility (current borrowing capacity less the amount of borrowings outstanding).

+ References

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityRemainingBorrowingCapacity
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Carrying amount of long-term debt, net of unamortized discount or premium, including current and noncurrent amounts. Includes, but not limited to, notes payable, bonds payable, debentures, mortgage loans and commercial paper. Excludes capital lease obligations.

+ References

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

-Publisher SEC

-Name Regulation S-X (SX)

-Number 210

-Section 03

-Paragraph 16

-Article 7

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 210.5-02.22)

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

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

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 942

-SubTopic 210

-Section S99

-Paragraph 1

-Subparagraph (SX 210.9-03.16)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6876686&loc=d3e534808-122878

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

-Publisher SEC

-Name Regulation S-X (SX)

-Number 210

-Section 03

-Paragraph 16

-Article 9

Reference 5: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher SEC

-Name Regulation S-X (SX)

-Number 210

-Section 02

-Paragraph 20, 22

-Article 5

Reference 6: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 944

-SubTopic 210

-Section S99

-Paragraph 1

-Subparagraph (SX 210.7-03.16)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6879938&loc=d3e572229-122910

+ Details

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Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Amount of long-term debt payable, sinking fund requirements, and other securities issued that are redeemable by holder at fixed or determinable prices and dates maturing in the next fiscal year following the latest fiscal year. Excludes interim and annual periods when interim periods are reported on a rolling approach, from latest balance sheet date.

+ References

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

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 470

-SubTopic 10

-Section 50

-Paragraph 1

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6802200&loc=d3e1835-112601

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

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 235

-SubTopic 10

-Section S99

-Paragraph 3

-Subparagraph (SX 210.12-04.(a))

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=26873400&loc=d3e24072-122690

+ Details

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Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Amount of long-term debt payable, sinking fund requirements, and other securities issued that are redeemable by holder at fixed or determinable prices and dates maturing in the fifth fiscal year following the latest fiscal year. Excludes interim and annual periods when interim periods are reported on a rolling approach, from latest balance sheet date.

+ References

+ Details

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Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Amount of long-term debt payable, sinking fund requirements, and other securities issued that are redeemable by holder at fixed or determinable prices and dates maturing in the fourth fiscal year following the latest fiscal year. Excludes interim and annual periods when interim periods are reported on a rolling approach, from latest balance sheet date.

+ References

+ Details

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Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Amount of long-term debt payable, sinking fund requirements, and other securities issued that are redeemable by holder at fixed or determinable prices and dates maturing in the third fiscal year following the latest fiscal year. Excludes interim and annual periods when interim periods are reported on a rolling approach, from latest balance sheet date.

+ References

+ Details

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Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Amount of long-term debt payable, sinking fund requirements, and other securities issued that are redeemable by holder at fixed or determinable prices and dates maturing in the second fiscal year following the latest fiscal year. Excludes interim and annual periods when interim periods are reported on a rolling approach, from latest balance sheet date.

+ References

+ Details

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Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_CreditFacilityAxis=us-gaap_LineOfCreditMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_CreditFacilityAxis=us-gaap_SecuredDebtMember
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Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

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Period Type:

- Details

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Period Type:

- Details

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- Details

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- Details

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- Details

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Debt (Details) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	6 Months Ended
	Apr. 04, 2015	May 11, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Additional borrowing capacity on credit facility if agreed to by lenders	$ 250
Borrowings outstanding	530.6us-gaap_LineOfCredit
Voting interest in foreign subsidiaries pledged against credit facility	65.00%
Investment limit in foreign subsidiaries	75
Cash investment limit for acquisition of business	150
Maximum leverage ratio allowed under debt covenant	3.00pmtc_DebtCovenantLeverageRatioMaximum
Minimum fixed charge coverage ratio allowed under debt covenant	3.50
Leverage ratio, actual	1.73pmtc_LeverageRatioActual
Fixed charge coverage ratio, actual	9.85pmtc_FixedChargeCoverageRatioActual
Line of Credit Facility, Remaining Borrowing Capacity	405	290
Minimum
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Line of Credit Facility, Variable Interest Rate, Length of Time Between Updates	30 days
Maximum
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Line of Credit Facility, Variable Interest Rate, Length of Time Between Updates	180 days
Secured Debt [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Long-term Debt	487.5
Revolving Loan [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Borrowings outstanding	43.1
Line of Credit [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Credit facility amount	1,000
Component of Base Rate, Basis Spread on Federal Funds Effective Rate	0.005%
Component of Base Rate, Basis Spread on Adjusted LIBOR	1.00%
Line of Credit [Member] \| Minimum
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Credit facility commitment fees percentage	0.175%
Line of Credit [Member] \| Maximum
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Credit facility commitment fees percentage	0.25%
Secured Debt [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Credit facility amount	500
Long-term Debt, Maturities, Repayments of Principal in Next Twelve Months			25
Line of Credit Facility, Interest Rate at Period End	1.6875%
Repayments of principal in 2016			50
Repayments of principal in 2017			50
Repayments of principal in 2018			75
Repayments of principal in 2019			$ 300
London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR) [Member] \| Line of Credit [Member] \| Minimum
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Basis Spread on Variable Rate	1.25%
London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR) [Member] \| Line of Credit [Member] \| Maximum
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Basis Spread on Variable Rate	1.50%
Base Rate [Member] \| Line of Credit [Member] \| Minimum
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Basis Spread on Variable Rate	0.25%
Base Rate [Member] \| Line of Credit [Member] \| Maximum
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Basis Spread on Variable Rate	0.50%