Basis of Presentation (Details Textuals)	6 Months Ended
	Jul. 02, 2011
New Accounting Pronouncements or Change in Accounting Principle [Line Items]
New Accounting Pronouncement or Change in Accounting Principle, Description	In January 2010, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) updated the accounting guidance related to fair value measurements disclosures. The updated guidance (i) requires separate disclosure of significant transfers in and out of Levels 1 and 2 fair value measurements, (ii) requires disclosure of Level 3 fair value measurements activity on a gross basis, (iii) clarifies existing disaggregation requirements, (iv) and clarifies existing input and valuation technique disclosure requirements. The updated guidance was effective for the Company for interim and annual periods beginning after January 1, 2010, except for the Level 3 fair value measurement disclosure requirements, which are effective for fiscal years beginning after January 1, 2011. Vishay adopted the then-effective aspects of the guidance on January 1, 2010 and adopted the remaining guidance on January 1, 2011. The adoption of the guidance had no effect on the Company's financial position, results of operations, or liquidity. In May 2011, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update (ASU) No. 2011-4, Fair Value Measurement (Topic 820), Amendments to Achieve Common Fair Value Measurement and Disclosure Requirements in GAAP and IFRS. The ASU generally aligns the principles for fair value measurements and the related disclosure requirements under GAAP and IFRS. The updated guidance clarifies existing fair value measurement and disclosure requirements and requires additional disclosure requirements. The ASU is effective for the Company for interim and annual periods beginning after January 1, 2012. The adoption of the ASU is not expected to have any effect on the Company's financial position, results of operations, or liquidity. In June 2011, the FASB issued ASU No. 2011-5, Comprehensive Income (Topic 220), Presentation of Comprehensive Income. The ASU requires that all non-owner changes in stockholders' equity be presented either in a single continuous statement of comprehensive income or in two separate, but consecutive statements. The ASU is effective for the Company for interim and annual periods beginning after January 1, 2012. The adoption of the ASU is not expected to have any effect on the Company's financial position, results of operations, or liquidity.
Fiscal Period, Policy [Policy Text Block]	The Company reports interim financial information for 13-week periods beginning on a Sunday and ending on a Saturday, except for the first fiscal quarter, which always begins on January 1, and the fourth fiscal quarter, which always ends on December 31. The four fiscal quarters in 2011 end on April 2, 2011, July 2, 2011, October 1, 2011, and December 31, 2011. The four fiscal quarters in 2010 ended on April 3, 2010, July 3, 2010, October 2, 2010, and December 31, 2010, respectively.