| Cover - shares | 3 Months Ended | |
| Mar. 28, 2020 | May 13, 2020 | |
| Cover [Abstract] | ||
| Document Type | 10-Q/A | |
| Document Quarterly Report | true | |
| Document Period End Date | Mar. 28, 2020 | |
| Document Transition Report | false | |
| Entity Registrant Name | INFINERA CORPORATION | |
| Entity Incorporation, State or Country Code | DE | |
| Entity File Number | 001-33486 | |
| Entity Tax Identification Number | 77-0560433 | |
| Entity Address, Address Line One | 140 Caspian Court | |
| Entity Address, City or Town | Sunnyvale, | |
| Entity Address, State or Province | CA | |
| Entity Address, Postal Zip Code | 94089 | |
| City Area Code | 408 | |
| Local Phone Number | 572-5200 | |
| Title of 12(b) Security | Common stock, par value $0.001 per share | |
| Trading Symbol | INFN | |
| Security Exchange Name | NASDAQ | |
| Entity Current Reporting Status | Yes | |
| Entity Interactive Data Current | Yes | |
| Entity Filer Category | Accelerated Filer | |
| Entity Emerging Growth Company | false | |
| Entity Small Business | false | |
| Entity Shell Company | false | |
| Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding | 186,897,010 | |
| Amendment Flag | true | |
| Amendment Description | Amendment to state that we relied on SEC order extending the timeline for Q1'20 reporting | |
| Document Fiscal Year Focus | 2020 | |
| Document Fiscal Period Focus | Q1 | |
| Entity Central Index Key | 0001138639 | |
| Current Fiscal Year End Date | --12-26 |
