Annual report pursuant to Section 13 and 15(d)

Partners' Equity of the Operating Partnership (Details)

v3.6.0.2
Partners' Equity of the Operating Partnership (Details) - Tanger Properties Limited Partnership [Member] - shares
12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2016
Dec. 31, 2015
Dec. 31, 2014
General and Limited Partners' Capital Account, Units [Roll Forward]      
General partner (in units) 1,000,000    
Units withheld for employee income taxes (66,760) (31,863) (412,239)
Grant of restricted common shares awards by the Company, net of forfeitures (in units) 173,124 348,844 1,302,729
Issuance of deferred units 24,040    
Units issued upon exercise of options 59,700 28,400 47,000
General partner (in units) 1,000,000 1,000,000  
General partner [Member]      
General and Limited Partners' Capital Account, Units [Roll Forward]      
General partner (in units) 1,000,000 1,000,000 1,000,000
Units withheld for employee income taxes 0 0 0
Exchange of Class A limited partnership units 0 0 0
Grant of restricted common shares awards by the Company, net of forfeitures (in units) 0 0 0
Issuance of deferred units 0    
Units issued upon exercise of options 0 0 0
General partner (in units) 1,000,000 1,000,000 1,000,000
Class A Limited Partnership Units [Member]      
General and Limited Partners' Capital Account, Units [Roll Forward]      
Limited partners (in units) 5,052,743 5,078,406 5,145,012
Units withheld for employee income taxes 0 0 0
Exchange of Class A limited partnership units (24,962) (25,663) (66,606)
Grant of restricted common shares awards by the Company, net of forfeitures (in units) 0 0 0
Issuance of deferred units 0    
Units issued upon exercise of options 0 0 0
Limited partners (in units) 5,027,781 5,052,743 5,078,406
Class B Limited Partnership Units [Member]      
General and Limited Partners' Capital Account, Units [Roll Forward]      
Limited partners (in units) 94,880,825 94,509,781 93,505,685
Units withheld for employee income taxes (66,760) (31,863) (412,239)
Exchange of Class A limited partnership units 24,962 25,663 66,606
Grant of restricted common shares awards by the Company, net of forfeitures (in units) 173,124 348,844 1,302,729
Issuance of deferred units 24,040    
Units issued upon exercise of options 59,700 28,400 47,000
Limited partners (in units) 95,095,891 94,880,825 94,509,781
Limited partners [Member]      
General and Limited Partners' Capital Account, Units [Roll Forward]      
Limited partners (in units) 99,933,568 99,588,187 98,650,697
Units withheld for employee income taxes (66,760) (31,863) (412,239)
Exchange of Class A limited partnership units 0 0 0
Grant of restricted common shares awards by the Company, net of forfeitures (in units) 173,124 348,844 1,302,729
Issuance of deferred units 24,040    
Units issued upon exercise of options 59,700 28,400 47,000
Limited partners (in units) 100,123,672 99,933,568 99,588,187