Document And Entity Information (USD $) In Millions, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2011	Oct. 01, 2011	Jul. 02, 2011	Apr. 02, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010	Oct. 02, 2010	Jul. 04, 2010	Apr. 03, 2010	Dec. 31, 2011	Feb. 22, 2012 Common Stock [Member]	Feb. 22, 2012 Common Class B [Member]
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Entity Registrant Name									VISHAY INTERTECHNOLOGY INC
Entity Central Index Key									0000103730
Current Fiscal Year End Date									--12-31
Entity Well-known Seasoned Issuer									No
Entity Voluntary Filers									No
Entity Current Reporting Status									Yes
Entity Filer Category									Large Accelerated Filer
Entity Public Float			$ 2,247
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding										144,910,898	12,299,227
Document Fiscal Year Focus									2011
Document Fiscal Period Focus									FY
Document Type									10-K
Amendment Flag									false
Document Period End Date	Dec. 31, 2011	Oct. 01, 2011	Jul. 02, 2011	Apr. 02, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010	Oct. 02, 2010	Jul. 03, 2010	Apr. 03, 2010	Dec. 31, 2011