Cash Per Original Principal Amount of Exchange Notes

No definition available.

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- Definition

Debt Instrument Percentage Of Redemption Price Fifth Period

+ References

No definition available.

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- Definition

Debt Instrument Percentage Of Redemption Price Fourth Period

+ References

No definition available.

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Namespace Prefix:	holx_
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- Definition

Debt Instrument Percentage Of Redemption Price Second Period

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No definition available.

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- Definition

Debt Instrument Percentage Of Redemption Price Third Period

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No definition available.

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- Definition

Debt Instrument Percentage Redemption Price Sixth Period

+ References

No definition available.

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Namespace Prefix:	holx_
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
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- Definition

Debt Instrument, Periodic Payment, Principal, Period

+ References

No definition available.

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Data Type:	xbrli:durationItemType
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- Definition

Decreased Net Leverage Ratio Pursuant To Senior Secured Credit Facility

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No definition available.

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- Definition

Deferred Taxes, Reacquisition of Equity Component

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No definition available.

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

- Definition

Direct Third Party Costs interest Expense

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No definition available.

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Name:	holx_DirectThirdPartyCostsinterestExpense
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Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Interest Coverage Ratio

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No definition available.

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Data Type:	xbrli:pureItemType
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- Definition

Leverage Ratio Maximum

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No definition available.

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- Definition

Maximum Range of Present Value of Cash Flow Percentage

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No definition available.

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- Definition

Offering Price of Principal Amount

+ References

No definition available.

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Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Percentage Price of Principal Amount for Repurchase of Senior Notes

+ References

No definition available.

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Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Represents the aggregate outstanding principal of amounts borrowed under the Credit Agreement.

+ References

No definition available.

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Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Principal Convertible To Common Stock

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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- Definition

Adjustment to additional paid in capital resulting from the recognition of convertible debt instruments as two separate components - a debt component and an equity component. This bifurcation may result in a basis difference associated with the liability component that represents a temporary difference for purposes of applying accounting for income taxes. The initial recognition of deferred taxes for the tax effect of that temporary difference is as an adjustment to additional paid in capital.

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-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 470
-SubTopic 20
-Section 25
-Paragraph 22
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=51819886&loc=SL6014347-161799

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- Definition

Amount of amortization expense attributable to debt discount (premium) and debt issuance costs.

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-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
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-SubTopic 10
-Section 45
-Paragraph 28
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- Definition

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

+ References

No definition available.

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- Definition

The price per share of the conversion feature embedded in the debt instrument.

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-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 470
-SubTopic 20
-Section 50
-Paragraph 5
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- Definition

The amount by which the convertible debt's if-converted value exceeds its principle amount at the balance sheet date, regardless of whether the instrument is currently convertible. This element applies to public companies only.

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-SubTopic 20
-Section 50
-Paragraph 5
-Subparagraph (c)
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- Definition

Face (par) amount of debt instrument at time of issuance.

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Balance Type:	credit
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- Definition

The average effective interest rate during the reporting period.

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-SubTopic 30
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-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02.22(a)(1))
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- Definition

Contractual interest rate for funds borrowed, under the debt agreement.

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-Publisher FASB
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-SubTopic 10
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-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02.22(a)(1))
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- 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.

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Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Amount of the required periodic payments applied to principal.

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-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 210
-SubTopic 10
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02.22)
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- Definition

Percentage price of original principal amount of debt at which debt can be redeemed by the issuer.

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-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
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-Section 50
-Paragraph 3
-Subparagraph e
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Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Percentage of principal amount of debt redeemed.

+ References

No definition available.

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Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Fair value amount of debt instrument that was repurchased.

+ References

No definition available.

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Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Difference between the fair value of payments made and the carrying amount of debt which is extinguished prior to maturity.

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

- Definition

Amount of the cost of borrowed funds accounted for as interest expense for debt.

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-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 225
-SubTopic 10
-Section S99
-Paragraph 2
-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-03.8)
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Period Type:	duration

- Definition

The effective interest rate during the reporting period.

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-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 210
-SubTopic 10
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02.19(b),22(b))
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- 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.

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Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
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-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02.19(b),22(b))
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Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

The carrying value as of the balance sheet date of the current portion 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.

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Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
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-SubTopic 210
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- Definition

Amount, after unamortized (discount) premium and debt issuance costs, of long-term debt, classified as current. Includes, but not limited to, notes payable, bonds payable, debentures, mortgage loans and commercial paper. Excludes capital lease obligations.

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Balance Type:	credit
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- Definition

The cash outflow paid to third parties in connection with debt origination, which will be amortized over the remaining maturity period of the associated long-term debt.

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Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
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Balance Type:	credit
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- Definition

The cash inflow during the period from additional borrowings in aggregate debt. Includes proceeds from short-term and long-term debt.

+ References

No definition available.

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Balance Type:	debit
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- Definition

The cash outflow from the repayment of a long-term debt instrument which can be exchanged for a specified amount of another security, typically the entity's common stock, at the option of the issuer or the holder.

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

The cash outflow to repay long-term debt that is wholly or partially secured by collateral. Excludes repayments of tax exempt secured debt.

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Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
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- Definition

Including the current and noncurrent portions, carrying value as of the balance sheet date of Notes with the highest claim on the assets of the issuer in case of bankruptcy or liquidation (with maturities initially due after one year or beyond the operating cycle if longer). Senior note holders are paid off in full before any payments are made to junior note holders.

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Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
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-Topic 944
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-Section S99
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-Subparagraph (SX 210.7-03.16(a))
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Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Price of a single share of a number of saleable stocks of a company.

+ References

No definition available.

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Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

The average discount rate applied to insurance contracts to determine future policy benefits to be paid to or on behalf of policyholders.

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Borrowings and Credit Arrangements - Additional Information (Detail)					3 Months Ended
	Jan. 29, 2018 USD ($)	Jan. 19, 2018 USD ($)	Dec. 29, 2017 USD ($) $ / shares	Oct. 10, 2017 USD ($)	Dec. 30, 2017 USD ($) $ / shares	Dec. 31, 2016 USD ($)	Jun. 25, 2016 USD ($)	Oct. 03, 2017 USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2017 USD ($)	Dec. 19, 2016
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Current portion of long-term debt					$ 572,100,000				$ 1,150,800,000
Non-cash interest expense amortization of debt discount and deferred financing costs					8,700,000	$ 14,300,000
Debt extinguishment loss					1,000,000	0
Payments of Debt Issuance Costs					11,900,000	0
Cash paid for conversion of debt					296,900,000	$ 6,400,000
Adjustments to Additional Paid in Capital, Equity Component of Convertible Debt					13,400,000
Deferred Taxes, Reacquisition of Equity Component					3,800,000
Principal Amount Of Borrowings					1,000,000,000
Share Price \| $ / shares			$ 42.75
Subsequent Event Type [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Senior Notes		$ 1,000,000,000
Senior Notes		1,000,000,000
Amended Term Loan [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Proceeds from Issuance of Debt					$ 1,800,000,000
Amended Term Loan [Member] \| Percentage Added to Eurodollar Rate [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Basis Spread on Variable Rate					1.50%
Amended Revolver [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Line of Credit Facility, Maximum Borrowing Capacity								$ 1,500,000,000
Line of Credit, Current								345,000,000
Amended Revolver [Member] \| Percentage Added to Eurodollar Rate [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Basis Spread on Variable Rate					1.50%
Amended Credit Agreement [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Leverage Ratio Maximum					5.00
Decreased Net Leverage Ratio Pursuant To Senior Secured Credit Facility					4.50
Interest Coverage Ratio					3.75
Debt extinguishment loss					$ 1,000,000
Maximum Range of Present Value of Cash Flow Percentage					10.00%
Direct Third Party Costs interest Expense					$ 1,700,000
Payments of Debt Issuance Costs					4,900,000
2043 Notes [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Senior Notes					300,000
Cash paid for conversion of debt					244,100,000
Debt Instrument, Repurchase Amount					$ 201,700,000
2028 Senior Notes
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Senior note interest rate per year					4.625%
2028 Senior Notes \| Subsequent Event Type [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Senior Notes		$ 400,000,000
Stated interest rate		4.625%
Offering Price of Principal Amount		100.00%
2042 Notes
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Senior Notes					$ 39,300,000
Cash paid for conversion of debt					$ 52,800,000
2042 Notes \| Subsequent Event Type [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Stated interest rate	2.00%
Redemption price (as a percent)	100.00%	100.00%
Debt Instrument, Repurchase Amount	$ 206,000,000
Two Thousand And Twelve Notes [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Convertible, Conversion Price \| $ / shares					$ 31.175
Credit Agreement
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Repayments of Secured Debt					$ 1,320,000,000
Weighted average interest rates					2.75%	2.05%
Interest rate					3.069%
Interest expense					$ 12,400,000		$ 9,800,000
Non-cash interest expense amortization of debt discount and deferred financing costs					700,000		$ 1,100,000
Principal Amount Of Borrowings					1,600,000,000
2025 Senior Notes
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Interest expense					3,500,000
Non-cash interest expense amortization of debt discount and deferred financing costs					$ 100,000
Senior note interest rate per year					4.375%
2025 Senior Notes \| Subsequent Event Type [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Senior Notes		$ 600,000,000
Offering Price of Principal Amount		100.00%
2022 Notes
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Interest expense					$ 14,000,000
Non-cash interest expense amortization of debt discount and deferred financing costs					$ 1,000,000
Senior note interest rate per year					5.25%
2022 Notes \| Subsequent Event Type [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Senior Notes		$ 1,000,000,000
Senior Notes		1,000,000,000
2022 Senior Notes
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Interest expense					$ 15,100,000
Accounts Receivable Securitization [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Principal Amount Of Borrowings					$ 200,000,000
2028 Senior Notes
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Stated interest rate					4.625%
2028 Senior Notes \| Subsequent Event Type [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Senior Notes		$ 400,000,000
Stated interest rate		4.625%
Offering Price of Principal Amount		100.00%
Redemption price (as a percent)		100.00%
Secured Term Loan [Member] \| Amended Term Loan [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Line of Credit Facility, Maximum Borrowing Capacity								$ 1,500,000,000
2025 Senior Notes \| Subsequent Event Type [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Senior Notes		$ 600,000,000
Offering Price of Principal Amount		100.00%
Principal Amount Of Borrowings		$ 600,000,000
Revolver [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Current portion of long-term debt					$ 120,000,000				345,000,000
2022 Senior Notes \| 2028 Senior Notes \| Subsequent Event Type [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Redemption Price, Percentage of Principal Amount Redeemed		35.00%
Debt Instrument Percentage Of Redemption Price Second Period		104.625%
Debt Instrument Percentage Of Redemption Price Third Period		102.312%
Debt Instrument Percentage Of Redemption Price Fourth Period		101.541%
Debt Instrument Percentage Of Redemption Price Fifth Period		100.77%
Percentage Price of Principal Amount for Repurchase of Senior Notes		101.00%
Debt Instrument Percentage Redemption Price Sixth Period		100.00%
2022 Senior Notes \| 2025 Senior Notes
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Senior Notes				$ 350,000,000
Stated interest rate				4.375%
Offering Price of Principal Amount				100.00%
Redemption price (as a percent)					35.00%
Debt Instrument Percentage Of Redemption Price Second Period				104.375%
Debt Instrument Percentage Of Redemption Price Third Period				102.188%
Debt Instrument Percentage Of Redemption Price Fourth Period				101.094%
Debt Instrument Percentage Of Redemption Price Fifth Period				100.00%
Percentage Price of Principal Amount for Repurchase of Senior Notes				101.00%
2022 Senior Notes \| 2025 Senior Notes \| Subsequent Event Type [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Stated interest rate		4.375%
Convertible Debt [Member] \| 2042 Notes
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Cash Per Original Principal Amount of Exchange Notes			$ 1,371
Principal Convertible To Common Stock			1,000
Debt Instrument, Convertible, If-converted Value in Excess of Principal			$ 282,600,000.0
Convertible Debt [Member] \| 2042 Notes \| Subsequent Event Type [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Stated interest rate	2.00%
Convertible Debt [Member] \| Two Thousand And Twelve Notes [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Stated interest rate										2.00%
Convertible Notes Payable [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Interest expense					$ 5,700,000	$ 12,000,000
Non-cash interest expense amortization of debt discount and deferred financing costs					4,600,000	$ 10,000,000
Accounts Receivable Securitization [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Current portion of long-term debt					200,000,000				$ 200,000,000
Amended Term Loan [Member] \| Amended Credit Agreement [Member] \| Minimum
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Periodic Payment, Principal					$ 9,375,000
Debt Instrument, Periodic Payment, Principal, Period					3 months
Amended Term Loan [Member] \| Amended Credit Agreement [Member] \| Maximum
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Periodic Payment, Principal					$ 37,500,000