Business Combination, Number of Employees at Acquiree

No definition available.

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Namespace Prefix:	pmtc_
Data Type:	xbrli:integerItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

business combination acquired assets and liabilities net (excluding goodwill and other intangible assets)

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	pmtc_Businesscombinationacquiredassetsandliabilitiesnetexcludinggoodwillandotherintangibleassets
Namespace Prefix:	pmtc_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Contingent Consideration Liability, Fair Value Disclosure

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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

- Definition

Estimated contingent consideration payment in 2017

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	pmtc_Estimatedcontingentconsiderationpaymentin2017
Namespace Prefix:	pmtc_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

payment of contingent consideration

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	pmtc_Paymentofcontingentconsideration
Namespace Prefix:	pmtc_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Weighted average amortization period of finite-lived intangible assets acquired either individually or as part of a group of assets, in 'PnYnMnDTnHnMnS' format, for example, 'P1Y5M13D' represents the reported fact of one year, five months, and thirteen days.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 350
-SubTopic 30
-Section 50
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (a)(3)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=26713463&loc=d3e16265-109275

+ Details

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Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:durationItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Line items represent financial concepts included in a table. These concepts are used to disclose reportable information associated with domain members defined in one or many axes to the table.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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

- Definition

This element represents acquisition-related costs incurred to effect a business combination which costs have been expensed during the period. Such costs include finder's fees; advisory, legal, accounting, valuation, and other professional or consulting fees; general administrative costs, including the costs of maintaining an internal acquisitions department; and may include costs of registering and issuing debt and equity securities.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 805
-SubTopic 10
-Section 25
-Paragraph 23
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=34752592&loc=d3e1043-128460

+ Details

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

- Definition

For contingent consideration arrangements recognized in connection with a business combination, this element represents an estimate of the high-end of the potential range (undiscounted) of the consideration which may be paid.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 805
-SubTopic 30
-Section 50
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (c)(3)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=35744584&loc=d3e6927-128479

+ Details

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

- Definition

For contingent consideration arrangements and indemnification assets recognized in connection with a business combination, this element represents an estimate of the low-end of the potential range (undiscounted) of the consideration which may be paid.

+ References

+ Details

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

- Definition

The cash inflow associated with the acquisition of business during the period (for example, cash that was held by the acquired business).

+ 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 12
-Subparagraph (b)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=56944662&loc=d3e3179-108585

+ Details

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

- Definition

Amount of increase in assets, excluding financial assets, lacking physical substance with a definite life, resulting from a business combination.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_FinitelivedIntangibleAssetsAcquired1
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Amount of increase in asset representing future economic benefits arising from other assets acquired in a business combination that are not individually identified and separately recognized resulting from a business combination.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 350
-SubTopic 20
-Section 50
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (a)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=35741047&loc=d3e13816-109267

+ Details

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Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
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 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

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher SEC
-Name Regulation S-X (SX)
-Number 210
-Section 02
-Paragraph 19, 20, 22
-Article 5

+ Details

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

- Definition

The cash outflow associated with the acquisition of a business, net of the cash acquired from the purchase.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 230
-SubTopic 10
-Section 45
-Paragraph 13
-Subparagraph (b)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=56944662&loc=d3e3213-108585

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Glossary Investing Activities
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6516133

+ Details

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

- Details

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- Details

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- Details

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- Details

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- Details

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- Details

Name:	us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAxis=pmtc_VuforiaAcquisitionMember
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Acquisition (Details) $ in Thousands		3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
Acquisition (Details) $ in Thousands	Jan. 12, 2016 USD ($)	Apr. 01, 2017 USD ($)	Apr. 02, 2016 USD ($)	Apr. 01, 2017 USD ($)	Apr. 02, 2016 USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2016 USD ($)	Jan. 02, 2016 USD ($)	Nov. 03, 2015 employee
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Acquisition-related cost		$ 600	$ 1,100	$ 700	$ 2,300
Payments to Acquire Businesses, Net of Cash Acquired				0	$ 164,191
Contingent consideration related to acquisitions		16,668		$ 16,668		$ 19,570
Computer Software, Intangible Asset [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Acquired finite-lived intangible asset, weighted average useful life				9 years
Customer Lists [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Acquired finite-lived intangible asset, weighted average useful life				10 years
Line of Credit [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Long-term portion of long term debt		218,125		$ 218,125		$ 258,125
Kepware
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Payments to Acquire Businesses, Net of Cash Acquired	$ 99,400
Cash Acquired from Acquisition	600
Business Combination, Contingent Consideration Arrangements, Range of Outcomes, Value, Low	16,900	16,900		16,900
Business Combination, Contingent Consideration Arrangements, Range of Outcomes, Value, High		18,000		18,000
Estimated contingent consideration payment in 2017		9,600		9,600
Contingent consideration related to acquisitions		$ 15,400		15,400
Payment of contingent consideration				$ 1,800
Goodwill, Acquired During Period			77,100
Finite-lived Intangible Assets Acquired			34,500
Kepware \| Computer Software, Intangible Asset [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Finite-lived Intangible Assets Acquired			$ 28,700
Acquired finite-lived intangible asset, weighted average useful life			10 years
Kepware \| Customer Lists [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Finite-lived Intangible Assets Acquired			$ 5,200
Acquired finite-lived intangible asset, weighted average useful life			10 years
Kepware \| Trademarks and Trade Names [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Finite-lived Intangible Assets Acquired			$ 600
Acquired finite-lived intangible asset, weighted average useful life			6 years
Kepware \| Line of Credit [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Long-term portion of long term debt	$ 100,000
Vuforia Acquisition [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Payments to Acquire Businesses, Net of Cash Acquired			$ 64,800
Cash Acquired from Acquisition			4,500
Goodwill, Acquired During Period			23,300
Business Combination, Number of Employees at Acquiree \| employee								80
Business combination acquired assets and liabilities net (excluding goodwill and other intangible assets)			4,700
Vuforia Acquisition [Member] \| Computer Software, Intangible Asset [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Finite-lived Intangible Assets Acquired			$ 41,200
Acquired finite-lived intangible asset, weighted average useful life			6 years
Vuforia Acquisition [Member] \| Line of Credit [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Long-term portion of long term debt							$ 50,000