<?xml version='1.0' encoding='UTF-8'?>
<FilingSummary>
  <Version>3.8.0.1</Version>
  <ProcessingTime/>
  <ReportFormat>html</ReportFormat>
  <ContextCount>202</ContextCount>
  <ElementCount>213</ElementCount>
  <EntityCount>1</EntityCount>
  <FootnotesReported>false</FootnotesReported>
  <SegmentCount>51</SegmentCount>
  <ScenarioCount>0</ScenarioCount>
  <TuplesReported>false</TuplesReported>
  <UnitCount>6</UnitCount>
  <MyReports>
    <Report instance="avy-20170930.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R1.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>00090 - Document - Document and Entity Information</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.averydennison.com/role/DocumentDocumentAndEntityInformation</Role>
      <ShortName>Document and Entity Information</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Cover</MenuCategory>
      <Position>1</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="avy-20170930.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R2.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>00100 - Statement - CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.averydennison.com/role/StatementCondensedConsolidatedBalanceSheets</Role>
      <ShortName>CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Statements</MenuCategory>
      <Position>2</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="avy-20170930.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R3.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>00105 - Statement - CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (Parenthetical)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.averydennison.com/role/StatementCondensedConsolidatedBalanceSheetsParenthetical</Role>
      <ShortName>CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (Parenthetical)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Statements</MenuCategory>
      <Position>3</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="avy-20170930.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R4.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>00200 - Statement - CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.averydennison.com/role/StatementCondensedConsolidatedStatementsOfIncome</Role>
      <ShortName>CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Statements</MenuCategory>
      <Position>4</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="avy-20170930.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R5.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>00300 - Statement - CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.averydennison.com/role/StatementCondensedConsolidatedStatementsOfComprehensiveIncome</Role>
      <ShortName>CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Statements</MenuCategory>
      <Position>5</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="avy-20170930.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R6.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>00400 - Statement - CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.averydennison.com/role/StatementCondensedConsolidatedStatementsOfCashFlows</Role>
      <ShortName>CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Statements</MenuCategory>
      <Position>6</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="avy-20170930.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R7.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>10101 - Disclosure - General</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.averydennison.com/role/DisclosureGeneral</Role>
      <ShortName>General</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>7</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="avy-20170930.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R8.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>10201 - Disclosure - Acquisitions</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.averydennison.com/role/DisclosureAcquisitions</Role>
      <ShortName>Acquisitions</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>8</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="avy-20170930.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R9.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>10301 - Disclosure - Inventories</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.averydennison.com/role/DisclosureInventories</Role>
      <ShortName>Inventories</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>9</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="avy-20170930.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R10.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>10401 - Disclosure - Goodwill and Other Intangibles Resulting from Business Acquisitions</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.averydennison.com/role/DisclosureGoodwillAndOtherIntangiblesResultingFromBusinessAcquisitions</Role>
      <ShortName>Goodwill and Other Intangibles Resulting from Business Acquisitions</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>10</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="avy-20170930.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R11.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>10501 - Disclosure - Debt</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.averydennison.com/role/DisclosureDebt</Role>
      <ShortName>Debt</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>11</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="avy-20170930.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R12.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>10601 - Disclosure - Pension and Other Postretirement Benefits</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.averydennison.com/role/DisclosurePensionAndOtherPostretirementBenefits</Role>
      <ShortName>Pension and Other Postretirement Benefits</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>12</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="avy-20170930.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R13.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>10701 - Disclosure - Research and Development</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.averydennison.com/role/DisclosureResearchAndDevelopment</Role>
      <ShortName>Research and Development</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>13</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="avy-20170930.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R14.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>10801 - Disclosure - Long-Term Incentive Compensation and Supplemental Equity Information</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.averydennison.com/role/DisclosureLongTermIncentiveCompensationAndSupplementalEquityInformation</Role>
      <ShortName>Long-Term Incentive Compensation and Supplemental Equity Information</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>14</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="avy-20170930.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R15.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>10901 - Disclosure - Cost Reduction Actions</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.averydennison.com/role/DisclosureCostReductionActions</Role>
      <ShortName>Cost Reduction Actions</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>15</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="avy-20170930.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R16.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>11001 - Disclosure - Financial Instruments</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.averydennison.com/role/DisclosureFinancialInstruments</Role>
      <ShortName>Financial Instruments</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>16</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="avy-20170930.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R17.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>11101 - Disclosure - Taxes Based on Income</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.averydennison.com/role/DisclosureTaxesBasedOnIncome</Role>
      <ShortName>Taxes Based on Income</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>17</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="avy-20170930.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R18.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>11201 - Disclosure - Net Income Per Common Share</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.averydennison.com/role/DisclosureNetIncomePerCommonShare</Role>
      <ShortName>Net Income Per Common Share</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>18</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="avy-20170930.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R19.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>11301 - Disclosure - Comprehensive Income</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.averydennison.com/role/DisclosureComprehensiveIncome</Role>
      <ShortName>Comprehensive Income</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>19</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="avy-20170930.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R20.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>11401 - Disclosure - Fair Value Measurements</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.averydennison.com/role/DisclosureFairValueMeasurements</Role>
      <ShortName>Fair Value Measurements</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>20</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="avy-20170930.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R21.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>11501 - Disclosure - Commitments and Contingencies</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.averydennison.com/role/DisclosureCommitmentsAndContingencies</Role>
      <ShortName>Commitments and Contingencies</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>21</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="avy-20170930.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R22.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>11601 - Disclosure - Segment Information</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.averydennison.com/role/DisclosureSegmentInformation</Role>
      <ShortName>Segment Information</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>22</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="avy-20170930.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R23.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>11701 - Disclosure - Recent Accounting Requirements</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.averydennison.com/role/DisclosureRecentAccountingRequirements</Role>
      <ShortName>Recent Accounting Requirements</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>23</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="avy-20170930.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R24.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>20102 - Disclosure - General (Policies)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.averydennison.com/role/DisclosureGeneralPolicies</Role>
      <ShortName>General (Policies)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Policies</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.averydennison.com/role/DisclosureRecentAccountingRequirements</ParentRole>
      <Position>24</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="avy-20170930.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R25.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>30303 - Disclosure - Inventories (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.averydennison.com/role/DisclosureInventoriesTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Inventories (Tables)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Tables</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.averydennison.com/role/DisclosureInventories</ParentRole>
      <Position>25</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="avy-20170930.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R26.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>30403 - Disclosure - Goodwill and Other Intangibles Resulting from Business Acquisitions (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.averydennison.com/role/DisclosureGoodwillAndOtherIntangiblesResultingFromBusinessAcquisitionsTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Goodwill and Other Intangibles Resulting from Business Acquisitions (Tables)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Tables</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.averydennison.com/role/DisclosureGoodwillAndOtherIntangiblesResultingFromBusinessAcquisitions</ParentRole>
      <Position>26</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="avy-20170930.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R27.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>30603 - Disclosure - Pension and Other Postretirement Benefits (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.averydennison.com/role/DisclosurePensionAndOtherPostretirementBenefitsTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Pension and Other Postretirement Benefits (Tables)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Tables</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.averydennison.com/role/DisclosurePensionAndOtherPostretirementBenefits</ParentRole>
      <Position>27</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="avy-20170930.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R28.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>30903 - Disclosure - Cost Reduction Actions (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.averydennison.com/role/DisclosureCostReductionActionsTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Cost Reduction Actions (Tables)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Tables</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.averydennison.com/role/DisclosureCostReductionActions</ParentRole>
      <Position>28</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="avy-20170930.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R29.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>31003 - Disclosure - Financial Instruments (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.averydennison.com/role/DisclosureFinancialInstrumentsTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Financial Instruments (Tables)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Tables</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.averydennison.com/role/DisclosureFinancialInstruments</ParentRole>
      <Position>29</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="avy-20170930.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R30.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>31103 - Disclosure - Taxes Based on Income (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.averydennison.com/role/DisclosureTaxesBasedOnIncomeTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Taxes Based on Income (Tables)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Tables</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.averydennison.com/role/DisclosureTaxesBasedOnIncome</ParentRole>
      <Position>30</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="avy-20170930.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R31.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>31203 - Disclosure - Net Income Per Common Share (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.averydennison.com/role/DisclosureNetIncomePerCommonShareTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Net Income Per Common Share (Tables)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Tables</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.averydennison.com/role/DisclosureNetIncomePerCommonShare</ParentRole>
      <Position>31</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="avy-20170930.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R32.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>31303 - Disclosure - Comprehensive Income (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.averydennison.com/role/DisclosureComprehensiveIncomeTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Comprehensive Income (Tables)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Tables</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.averydennison.com/role/DisclosureComprehensiveIncome</ParentRole>
      <Position>32</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="avy-20170930.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R33.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>31403 - Disclosure - Fair Value Measurements (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.averydennison.com/role/DisclosureFairValueMeasurementsTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Fair Value Measurements (Tables)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Tables</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.averydennison.com/role/DisclosureFairValueMeasurements</ParentRole>
      <Position>33</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="avy-20170930.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R34.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>31503 - Disclosure - Commitments and Contingencies (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.averydennison.com/role/DisclosureCommitmentsAndContingenciesTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Commitments and Contingencies (Tables)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Tables</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.averydennison.com/role/DisclosureCommitmentsAndContingencies</ParentRole>
      <Position>34</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="avy-20170930.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R35.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>31603 - Disclosure - Segment Information (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.averydennison.com/role/DisclosureSegmentInformationTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Segment Information (Tables)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Tables</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.averydennison.com/role/DisclosureSegmentInformation</ParentRole>
      <Position>35</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="avy-20170930.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R36.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>40101 - Disclosure - General (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.averydennison.com/role/DisclosureGeneralDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>General (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.averydennison.com/role/DisclosureGeneralPolicies</ParentRole>
      <Position>36</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="avy-20170930.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R37.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>40201 - Disclosure - Acquisitions (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.averydennison.com/role/DisclosureAcquisitionsDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Acquisitions (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.averydennison.com/role/DisclosureAcquisitions</ParentRole>
      <Position>37</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="avy-20170930.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R38.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>40301 - Disclosure - Inventories (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.averydennison.com/role/DisclosureInventoriesDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Inventories (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.averydennison.com/role/DisclosureInventoriesTables</ParentRole>
      <Position>38</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="avy-20170930.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R39.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>40401 - Disclosure - Goodwill and Other Intangibles Resulting from Business Acquisitions (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.averydennison.com/role/DisclosureGoodwillAndOtherIntangiblesResultingFromBusinessAcquisitionsDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Goodwill and Other Intangibles Resulting from Business Acquisitions (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.averydennison.com/role/DisclosureGoodwillAndOtherIntangiblesResultingFromBusinessAcquisitionsTables</ParentRole>
      <Position>39</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="avy-20170930.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R40.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>40501 - Disclosure - Debt (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.averydennison.com/role/DisclosureDebtDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Debt (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.averydennison.com/role/DisclosureDebt</ParentRole>
      <Position>40</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="avy-20170930.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R41.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>40601 - Disclosure - Pension and Other Postretirement Benefits (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.averydennison.com/role/DisclosurePensionAndOtherPostretirementBenefitsDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Pension and Other Postretirement Benefits (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.averydennison.com/role/DisclosurePensionAndOtherPostretirementBenefitsTables</ParentRole>
      <Position>41</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="avy-20170930.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R42.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>40701 - Disclosure - Research and Development (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.averydennison.com/role/DisclosureResearchAndDevelopmentDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Research and Development (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.averydennison.com/role/DisclosureResearchAndDevelopment</ParentRole>
      <Position>42</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="avy-20170930.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R43.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>40801 - Disclosure - Long-Term Incentive Compensation and Supplemental Equity Information (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.averydennison.com/role/DisclosureLongTermIncentiveCompensationAndSupplementalEquityInformationDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Long-Term Incentive Compensation and Supplemental Equity Information (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.averydennison.com/role/DisclosureLongTermIncentiveCompensationAndSupplementalEquityInformation</ParentRole>
      <Position>43</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="avy-20170930.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R44.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>40901 - Disclosure - Cost Reduction Actions (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.averydennison.com/role/DisclosureCostReductionActionsDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Cost Reduction Actions (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.averydennison.com/role/DisclosureCostReductionActionsTables</ParentRole>
      <Position>44</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="avy-20170930.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R45.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>40902 - Disclosure - Cost Reduction Actions - Restructuring Charges and Payments (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.averydennison.com/role/DisclosureCostReductionActionsRestructuringChargesAndPaymentsDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Cost Reduction Actions - Restructuring Charges and Payments (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>45</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="avy-20170930.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R46.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>40903 - Disclosure - Cost Reduction Actions - Reportable Segment and Corporate (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.averydennison.com/role/DisclosureCostReductionActionsReportableSegmentAndCorporateDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Cost Reduction Actions - Reportable Segment and Corporate (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>46</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="avy-20170930.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R47.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>41001 - Disclosure - Financial Instruments (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.averydennison.com/role/DisclosureFinancialInstrumentsDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Financial Instruments (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.averydennison.com/role/DisclosureFinancialInstrumentsTables</ParentRole>
      <Position>47</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="avy-20170930.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R48.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>41002 - Disclosure - Financial Instruments - Fair Value (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.averydennison.com/role/DisclosureFinancialInstrumentsFairValueDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Financial Instruments - Fair Value (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>48</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="avy-20170930.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R49.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>41003 - Disclosure - Financial Instruments - Net Gains (Losses), before Taxes Recognized in Income (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.averydennison.com/role/DisclosureFinancialInstrumentsNetGainsLossesBeforeTaxesRecognizedInIncomeDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Financial Instruments - Net Gains (Losses), before Taxes Recognized in Income (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>49</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="avy-20170930.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R50.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>41004 - Disclosure - Financial Instruments - Gains (Losses), before Taxes, Recognized in AOCI (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.averydennison.com/role/DisclosureFinancialInstrumentsGainsLossesBeforeTaxesRecognizedInAociDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Financial Instruments - Gains (Losses), before Taxes, Recognized in AOCI (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>50</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="avy-20170930.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R51.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>41005 - Disclosure - Financial Instruments - Net Investment Hedge (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.averydennison.com/role/DisclosureFinancialInstrumentsNetInvestmentHedgeDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Financial Instruments - Net Investment Hedge (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>51</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="avy-20170930.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R52.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>41101 - Disclosure - Taxes Based on Income (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.averydennison.com/role/DisclosureTaxesBasedOnIncomeDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Taxes Based on Income (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.averydennison.com/role/DisclosureTaxesBasedOnIncomeTables</ParentRole>
      <Position>52</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="avy-20170930.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R53.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>41201 - Disclosure - Net Income Per Common Share (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.averydennison.com/role/DisclosureNetIncomePerCommonShareDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Net Income Per Common Share (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.averydennison.com/role/DisclosureNetIncomePerCommonShareTables</ParentRole>
      <Position>53</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="avy-20170930.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R54.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>41301 - Disclosure - Comprehensive Income - Changes in AOCI (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.averydennison.com/role/DisclosureComprehensiveIncomeChangesInAociDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Comprehensive Income - Changes in AOCI (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>54</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="avy-20170930.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R55.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>41302 - Disclosure - Comprehensive Income - Reclassified from AOCI (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.averydennison.com/role/DisclosureComprehensiveIncomeReclassifiedFromAociDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Comprehensive Income - Reclassified from AOCI (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>55</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="avy-20170930.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R56.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>41401 - Disclosure - Fair Value Measurements (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.averydennison.com/role/DisclosureFairValueMeasurementsDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Fair Value Measurements (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.averydennison.com/role/DisclosureFairValueMeasurementsTables</ParentRole>
      <Position>56</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="avy-20170930.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R57.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>41501 - Disclosure - Commitments and Contingencies (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.averydennison.com/role/DisclosureCommitmentsAndContingenciesDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Commitments and Contingencies (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.averydennison.com/role/DisclosureCommitmentsAndContingenciesTables</ParentRole>
      <Position>57</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="avy-20170930.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R58.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>41601 - Disclosure - Segment Information - Sales (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.averydennison.com/role/DisclosureSegmentInformationSalesDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Segment Information - Sales (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>58</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="avy-20170930.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R59.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>41602 - Disclosure - Segment Information - Expense (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.averydennison.com/role/DisclosureSegmentInformationExpenseDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Segment Information - Expense (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>59</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="avy-20170930.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R60.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>41701 - Disclosure - Recent Accounting Requirements (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.averydennison.com/role/DisclosureRecentAccountingRequirementsDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Recent Accounting Requirements (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>60</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <LongName>All Reports</LongName>
      <ReportType>Book</ReportType>
      <ShortName>All Reports</ShortName>
    </Report>
  </MyReports>
  <InputFiles>
    <File>avy-20170930.xml</File>
    <File>avy-20170930.xsd</File>
    <File>avy-20170930_cal.xml</File>
    <File>avy-20170930_def.xml</File>
    <File>avy-20170930_lab.xml</File>
    <File>avy-20170930_pre.xml</File>
  </InputFiles>
  <SupplementalFiles/>
  <BaseTaxonomies>
    <BaseTaxonomy>http://xbrl.sec.gov/dei/2014-01-31</BaseTaxonomy>
    <BaseTaxonomy>http://fasb.org/us-gaap/2017-01-31</BaseTaxonomy>
    <BaseTaxonomy>http://xbrl.sec.gov/invest/2013-01-31</BaseTaxonomy>
  </BaseTaxonomies>
  <HasPresentationLinkbase>true</HasPresentationLinkbase>
  <HasCalculationLinkbase>true</HasCalculationLinkbase>
</FilingSummary>
