Annual report pursuant to Section 13 and 15(d)

Shareholders' Equity of the Company (Details)

v2.4.0.6
Shareholders' Equity of the Company (Details) (USD $)
In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified
 3 Months Ended 12 Months Ended 12 Months Ended 12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2010
Dec. 31, 2011
Units
Dec. 31, 2010
Dec. 31, 2012
Units
Dec. 31, 2012
Tanger Factory Outlet Centers, Inc [Member]
Dec. 31, 2011
Tanger Factory Outlet Centers, Inc [Member]
Dec. 31, 2010
Tanger Factory Outlet Centers, Inc [Member]
Dec. 31, 2012
Tanger Properties Limited Partnership [Member]
Units
Dec. 31, 2011
3.75% Senior Exchangeable Notes [Member]
Tanger Properties Limited Partnership [Member]
Entity Information [Line Items]                  
Partners' Capital Account, Units, Converted         1,682,507 160,332      
Stock Issued During Period, Shares, Conversion of Units         6,730,028 641,328      
Number of Operating Partnership Units Owned by Family Limited Partners       1,190,466       1,190,466  
Potential Number of Common Shares to be Issued Upon Conversion of Operating Units         4,761,864        
Stockholders' Equity Note, Stock Split, Conversion Ratio           2      
Common shares, par value         $ 0.01 $ 0.01      
Partnership Unit Exchange Ratio 2   4            
Stock Issued During Period, Shares, New Issues   4,600,000       4,600,000      
Stock Issued During Period Per Share Amount   $ 25.662              
Proceeds from Issuance of Common Stock         $ 0 $ 117,375 $ 0    
Number of Common General Partnership Units Received in Exchange for Contributed Net Proceeds of Share Offering   13,000              
Number of Common Limited Partnership Units Received in Exchange for Contributed Net Proceeds of Share Offering   1,137,000              
Number of Company Common Shares Issued Upon Exchange of Convertible Debt                 136,360