Document and Entity Information (USD $)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 29, 2013	Oct. 18, 2013	Jun. 29, 2012
Document and Entity Information [Abstract]
Entity Registrant Name	Minerals Technologies Inc
Entity Central Index Key	0000891014
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--12-31
Entity Well-known Seasoned Issuer	Yes
Entity Voluntary Filers	No
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes
Entity Filer Category	Large Accelerated Filer
Entity Public Float			$ 983,000,000
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		34,431,056
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2013
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q3
Document Type	10-Q
Amendment Flag	false
Document Period End Date	Sep. 29, 2013