Document And Entity Information (USD $) In Billions, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 28, 2012	Feb. 22, 2013	Jun. 29, 2012
Document And Entity Information [Abstract]
Document Type	10-K
Amendment Flag	false
Document Period End Date	Dec. 28, 2012
Document Fiscal Period Focus	FY
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2012
Entity Registrant Name	TRIMBLE NAVIGATION LTD /CA/
Entity Central Index Key	0000864749
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--12-28
Entity Filer Category	Large Accelerated Filer
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		127,657,269
Entity Well-known Seasoned Issuer	No
Entity Public Float			$ 5.8
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes
Entity Voluntary Filers	No