Valuation of debt and equity investments and certain liabilities (Details) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Auction-rate Securities [Member]
Change in fair value during the period, pre-tax [Abstract]
Beginning balance	$ 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		(122)
Redemptions	(84)
Sales	(63)
Ending balance	0	134
Contingent Consideration [Member]
Change in fair value during the period, pre-tax [Abstract]
Beginning balance	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
Redemptions	0
Sales	0
Ending balance	$ 0	$ 0

Name:	txn_ChangeInFairValueDuringPeriodPreTaxAbstract
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_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

Redemptions that have taken place during the period in relation to assets measured at fair value and categorized within Level 3 of the fair value hierarchy.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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

- 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

Sales that have taken place during the period in relation to assets measured at fair value and categorized within Level 3 of the fair value hierarchy.

+ References

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

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 820

-SubTopic 10

-Section 50

-Paragraph 2

-Subparagraph (c)(2)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=7578670&loc=d3e19207-110258

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementWithUnobservableInputsReconciliationRecurringBasisAssetSales
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration