v3.26.1
Business Segment Information - Summary of Reconciliation of Segment Operating Income (Detail) - USD ($)
$ in Millions
 3 Months Ended 6 Months Ended
Jul. 04, 2026
Jun. 28, 2025
Jul. 04, 2026
Jun. 28, 2025
Segment Reporting Reconciling Item For Operating Profit Loss From Segments To Consolidated [Line Items]        
Total revenues, net $ 1,645 $ 771 $ 2,912 $ 1,433
Operating (loss) income (86) 188 (134) 340
Purchased intangibles amortization and acquisition-related fair value step-up  266 29 437 57
Segment Reporting, Reconciling Item, Excluding Corporate Nonsegment [Member]        
Segment Reporting Reconciling Item For Operating Profit Loss From Segments To Consolidated [Line Items]        
Total revenues, net 1,645 771 2,912 1,433
Labor costs within selling and administrative and research and development expenses (293) (119) (536) (202)
Material purchases (236) (115) (470) (218)
Labor costs within product and service cost of revenues (202) (77) (373) (162)
Other segment expenses (403) (159) (633) (315)
Operating (loss) income $ (86) $ 188 $ (134) $ 340
Operating income % (5.20%) 24.40% (4.60%) 23.70%
Segment Reporting, Reconciling Item, Excluding Corporate Nonsegment [Member] | Waters Analytical & Material Sciences [Member]        
Segment Reporting Reconciling Item For Operating Profit Loss From Segments To Consolidated [Line Items]        
Total revenues, net $ 756 $ 709 $ 1,442 $ 1,318
Labor costs within selling and administrative and research and development expenses (147) (111) (306) (187)
Material purchases (123) (98) (269) (186)
Labor costs within product and service cost of revenues (71) (75) (172) (159)
Other segment expenses (149) (146) (193) (290)
Operating (loss) income $ 266 $ 279 $ 502 $ 496
Operating income % 35.20% 39.40% 34.80% 37.60%
Segment Reporting, Reconciling Item, Excluding Corporate Nonsegment [Member] | Waters Biosciences [Member]        
Segment Reporting Reconciling Item For Operating Profit Loss From Segments To Consolidated [Line Items]        
Total revenues, net $ 368 $ 0 $ 600 $ 0
Labor costs within selling and administrative and research and development expenses (62) 0 (96) 0
Material purchases (54) 0 (90) 0
Labor costs within product and service cost of revenues (46) 0 (71) 0
Other segment expenses (80) 0 (134) 0
Operating (loss) income $ 126 $ 0 $ 209 $ 0
Operating income % 34.20% 0.00% 34.80% 0.00%
Segment Reporting, Reconciling Item, Excluding Corporate Nonsegment [Member] | Waters Advanced Diagnostics [Member]        
Segment Reporting Reconciling Item For Operating Profit Loss From Segments To Consolidated [Line Items]        
Total revenues, net $ 521 $ 62 $ 870 $ 115
Labor costs within selling and administrative and research and development expenses (84) (8) (134) (15)
Material purchases (59) (17) (111) (32)
Labor costs within product and service cost of revenues (85) (2) (130) (3)
Other segment expenses (174) (13) (306) (25)
Operating (loss) income $ 119 $ 22 $ 189 $ 40
Operating income % 22.80% 35.20% 21.70% 34.60%
Segment Reporting, Reconciling Item, Corporate Nonsegment [Member]        
Segment Reporting Reconciling Item For Operating Profit Loss From Segments To Consolidated [Line Items]        
Corporate expenses $ (173) $ (88) $ (339) $ (146)
Purchased intangibles amortization and acquisition-related fair value step-up  (399) (12) (650) (24)
Stock-based compensation $ (25) $ (13) $ (45) $ (26)