Earnings Per Share (EPS) (Details) (USD $) In Millions, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
Mar. 29, 2015	Mar. 30, 2014
Earnings Per Share (EPS) [Abstract]
Net income attributable to Minerals Technologies Inc. (MTI)	$ 35.1us-gaap_NetIncomeLoss	$ 15.6us-gaap_NetIncomeLoss
Weighted average shares outstanding (in shares)	34,700,000	34,400,000
Dilutive effect of stock options and stock units (in shares)	200,000	300,000
Weighted average shares outstanding, adjusted (in shares)	34,900,000	34,700,000
Basic earnings (Loss) per share attributable to MTI (in dollars per share)	$ 1.01us-gaap_EarningsPerShareBasic	$ 0.45us-gaap_EarningsPerShareBasic
Diluted earnings (Loss) per share attributable to MTI (in dollars per share)	$ 1.01us-gaap_EarningsPerShareDiluted	$ 0.45us-gaap_EarningsPerShareDiluted
Stock Options [Member]
Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share [Line Items]
Anti-dilutive securities not included in the weighted average commons shares outstanding calculation (in shares)	245,128	160,180

Securities (including those issuable pursuant to contingent stock agreements) that could potentially dilute basic earnings per share (EPS) or earnings per unit (EPU) in the future that were not included in the computation of diluted EPS or EPU because to do so would increase EPS or EPU amounts or decrease loss per share or unit amounts for the period presented.

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The amount of net income (loss) for the period per each share of common stock or unit outstanding during the reporting period.

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The amount of net income (loss) for the period available to each share of common stock or common unit outstanding during the reporting period and to each share or unit that would have been outstanding assuming the issuance of common shares or units for all dilutive potential common shares or units outstanding during the reporting period.

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The portion of profit or loss for the period, net of income taxes, which is attributable to the parent.

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