Cover - shares	3 Months Ended	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 28, 2019	Sep. 28, 2019	Oct. 26, 2019
Cover page.
Document Type		10-Q
Document Quarterly Report		true
Document Period End Date		Sep. 28, 2019
Document Transition Report		false
Entity File Number	000-23314
Entity Registrant Name		TRACTOR SUPPLY CO /DE/
Entity Incorporation, State or Country Code	DE
Entity Tax Identification Number	13-3139732
Entity Address, Street Address		5401 Virginia Way
Entity Address, City		Brentwood
Entity Address, State		TN
Entity Address, Postal Zip Code		37027
City Area Code		615
Local Phone Number		440-4000
Entity Current Reporting Status		Yes
Entity Interactive Data Current		Yes
Entity Filer Category		Large Accelerated Filer
Entity Small Business		false
Entity Emerging Growth Company		false
Entity Shell Company		false
Title of each class		Common Stock, $0.008 par value
Trading Symbol		TSCO
Name of each exchange on which registered		NASDAQ
Entity Central Index Key		0000916365
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding			118,386,226
Current Fiscal Year End Date		--12-28
Document Fiscal Year Focus		2019
Document Fiscal Period Focus		Q3
Amendment Flag		false