Accounts Receivable - Components of Current Finance and Contract Receivables (Parenthetical) (Detail) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 28, 2013	Dec. 29, 2012
Receivables [Abstract]
Unearned finance charges, finance receivables	$ 13.6	$ 8.4
Unearned finance charges, contract receivable	$ 12.4	$ 9.3

Deferred discounts finance charges and interest included in notes and loans receivable current.

No definition available.

Name:	sna_DeferredDiscountsFinanceChargesAndInterestIncludedInNotesAndLoansReceivableCurrent
Namespace Prefix:	sna_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant