Receivables - Components of Current Finance and Contract Receivables (Parenthetical) (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Millions	Jul. 04, 2015	Jan. 03, 2015
Receivables [Abstract]
Unearned finance charges, finance receivables	$ 16.5	$ 15.6
Unearned finance charges, contract receivable	$ 14.4	$ 13.9

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