Document And Entity Information (USD $)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 29, 2012	Oct. 27, 2012	Jun. 24, 2011
Entities [Table]
Entity Registrant Name	TRACTOR SUPPLY CO /DE/
Entity Central Index Key	0000916365
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--12-29
Entity Well-known Seasoned Issuer	Yes
Entity Voluntary Filers	No
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes
Entity Filer Category	Large Accelerated Filer
Entity Public Float			$ 4,300,000,000
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		70,436,783
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2012
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q3
Document Type	10-Q
Amendment Flag	false
Document Period End Date	Sep. 29, 2012