(Valuation of debt and equity investments and certain liabilities) (Details) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended	9 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2011	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2011
Auction Rate Securities Assets [Member]
Changes in fair value during the period (pre-tax):
Beginning balance	$ 208	$ 134	$ 257
Change in fair value of contingent consideration - included in operating profit			0
Change in unrealized loss - included in AOCI		13	(1)
Redemptions and sales	(74)		(48)
Redemptions		(84)
Sales		(63)
Ending balance	134	0	208
Contingent Consideration [Member]
Changes in fair value during the period (pre-tax):
Beginning balance	0	0	8
Change in fair value of contingent consideration - included in operating profit			(8)
Change in unrealized loss - included in AOCI		0	0
Redemptions and sales	0		0
Redemptions		0
Sales		0
Ending balance	$ 0	$ 0	$ 0

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 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_FairValueMeasurementWithUnobservableInputsReconciliationRecurringBasisAssetAndLiabilitiesRedemptions
Namespace Prefix:	txn_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

This category represents 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_FairValueMeasurementWithUnobservableInputsReconciliationRecurringBasisAssetAndLiabilitiesSales
Namespace Prefix:	txn_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
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_FairValueMeasurementWithUnobservableInputsReconciliationRecurringBasisAssetAndLiabilityRedemptionsAndSalesAtPar
Namespace Prefix:	txn_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
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