Valuation of debt and equity investments and certain liabilities (Details) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010
Auction Rate Securities Assets [Member]
Changes in fair value during the period pre tax [Abstract]
Beginning balance	$ 257	$ 458
Change in fair value of contingent consideration - included in operating profit	0	0
Change in unrealized loss – included in AOCI	(1)	10
Redemptions and sales	(122)	(188)
Transfers into Level 2		(23)
Ending balance	134	257
Contingent Consideration [Member]
Changes in fair value during the period pre tax [Abstract]
Beginning balance	8	18
Change in fair value of contingent consideration - included in operating profit	(8)	(10)
Change in unrealized loss – included in AOCI	0	0
Redemptions and sales	0	0
Transfers into Level 2		0
Ending balance	$ 0	$ 8

Name:	txn_ChangesInFairValueDuringPeriodPreTaxAbstract
Namespace Prefix:	txn_
Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

This element represents total unrealized gains or losses for the period, arising from assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis using unobservable inputs (Level 3), which are included in other comprehensive income (a separate component of shareholders' equity).

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	txn_FairValueMeasurementWithUnobservableInputsReconciliationRecurringBasisAssetAndLiabilitiesGainLossIncludedInOtherComprehensiveIncome
Namespace Prefix:	txn_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

This category represents redemptions and sales which have taken place during the period in relation to assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis using unobservable inputs (level 3).

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	txn_FairValueMeasurementWithUnobservableInputsReconciliationRecurringBasisAssetAndLiabilityRedemptionsAtPar
Namespace Prefix:	txn_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

This element represents assets and liabilities measured at fair value using significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) which is required for reconciliation purposes of beginning and ending balances.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	txn_FairValueMeasurementWithUnobservableInputsReconciliationRecurringBasisAssetAndLiabilityValue
Namespace Prefix:	txn_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

This element represents total gains or losses for the period (realized and unrealized), arising from assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis using unobservable inputs (Level 3), which are included in earnings or resulted in a change in net asset value.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	txn_FairValueMeasurementWithUnobservableInputsReconciliationRecurringBasisAssetsAndLiabilityGainLossIncludedInEarnings
Namespace Prefix:	txn_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

This element represents [net] transfers in to and out of assets measured at fair value on a recurring basis using unobservable inputs (Level 3) which have taken place during the period.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)

-Number 157

-Paragraph 32

-Subparagraph c(3)

-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 820

-SubTopic 10

-Section 50

-Paragraph 2

-Subparagraph (c)(3)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6925170&loc=d3e19207-110258

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementWithUnobservableInputsReconciliationRecurringBasisAssetTransfersNet
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration