Earnings Per Share (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
	Apr. 04, 2015	Mar. 29, 2014
Numerator for basic earnings per share:
Net earnings	$ 30,699	$ 25,810
Adjustment to the numerator for continuing operations and net earnings:
Interest savings assuming conversion of dilutive convertible and exchangeable notes, net of tax	16	16
Numerator for diluted earnings per share:
Net earnings	$ 30,715	$ 25,826
Denominator for basic earnings per share:
Weighted average shares	147,569	147,440
Outstanding phantom stock units	129	117
Adjusted weighted average shares (basic)	147,698	147,557
Effect of dilutive securities:
Convertible and exchangeable debt instruments	4,778	4,782
Restricted stock units	184	210
Other	6	7
Dilutive potential common shares	4,968	4,999
Denominator for diluted earnings per share:
Adjusted weighted average shares (diluted)	152,666	152,556
Basic earnings per share attributable to Vishay stockholders (in dollars per share)	$ 0.21	$ 0.17
Diluted earnings per share attributable to Vishay stockholders (in dollars per share)	$ 0.20	$ 0.17
Convertible Senior Debentures, Due 2040 [Member]
Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share [Line Items]
Minimum market price of common stock for inclusion of shares issuable upon conversion of senior debentures for calculation of diluted earnings per share (in dollars per share)	$ 13.60
Convertible Senior Debentures, Due 2041 [Member]
Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share [Line Items]
Antidilutive Securities Excluded From Computation Of Earnings Per Share Amount (in shares)	8,024	7,897
Minimum market price of common stock for inclusion of shares issuable upon conversion of senior debentures for calculation of diluted earnings per share (in dollars per share)	$ 18.64
Convertible Senior Debentures, Due 2042 [Member]
Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share [Line Items]
Minimum market price of common stock for inclusion of shares issuable upon conversion of senior debentures for calculation of diluted earnings per share (in dollars per share)	$ 11.57
Weighted average employees stock options [Member]
Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share [Line Items]
Antidilutive Securities Excluded From Computation Of Earnings Per Share Amount (in shares)	77	77
Weighted average other [Member]
Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share [Line Items]
Antidilutive Securities Excluded From Computation Of Earnings Per Share Amount (in shares)	620	710