v3.5.0.2
Document and Entity Information - shares
6 Months Ended
Jul. 01, 2016
Aug. 05, 2016
Entity Information [Line Items]    
Document Type 10-Q  
Amendment Flag false  
Document Period End Date Jul. 01, 2016  
Document Fiscal Year Focus 2016  
Document Fiscal Period Focus Q2  
Trading Symbol TRMB  
Entity Registrant Name TRIMBLE NAVIGATION LTD /CA/  
Entity Central Index Key 0000864749  
Current Fiscal Year End Date --12-30  
Entity Filer Category Large Accelerated Filer  
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding   249,174,915