Receivables - Components of Current Finance and Contract Receivables (Parenthetical) (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Millions	Oct. 01, 2016	Jan. 02, 2016
Receivables [Abstract]
Unearned finance charges, finance receivables	$ 16.9	$ 16.9
Unearned finance charges, contract receivable	$ 15.5	$ 15.1

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