Name:	slab_EquityInvestmentImpairmentCharges
Namespace Prefix:	slab_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

Represents the length of fiscal year of the reporting entity in 'PnYnMnDTnHnMnS' format, for example, 'P1Y5M13D' represents the reported fact of one year, five months, and thirteen days.

No definition available.

Name:	slab_LengthOfFiscalYear
Namespace Prefix:	slab_
Data Type:	xbrli:durationItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

No definition available.

Name:	slab_LongLivedAssetsAbstract
Namespace Prefix:	slab_
Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

No definition available.

Name:	slab_SummaryOfSignificantAccountingPoliciesLineItems
Namespace Prefix:	slab_
Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
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Amount charged to advertising expense for the period, which are expenses incurred with the objective of increasing revenue for a specified brand, product or product line.

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 720
-SubTopic 35
-Section 50
-Paragraph 1
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6420018&loc=d3e36677-107848

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Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
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Period Type:	duration

Useful life of finite-lived intangible assets, in 'PnYnMnDTnHnMnS' format, for example, 'P1Y5M13D' represents the reported fact of one year, five months, and thirteen days.

No definition available.

Name:	us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetUsefulLife
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Data Type:	xbrli:durationItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

No definition available.

Name:	us-gaap_MarketingAndAdvertisingExpenseAbstract
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

No definition available.

Name:	us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentAbstract
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Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

Useful life of long lived, physical assets used in the normal conduct of business and not intended for resale, in 'PnYnMnDTnHnMnS' format, for example, 'P1Y5M13D' represents the reported fact of one year, five months, and thirteen days. Examples include, but not limited to, land, buildings, machinery and equipment, office equipment, furniture and fixtures, and computer equipment.

No definition available.

Name:	us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentUsefulLife
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Data Type:	xbrli:durationItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

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Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

Name:	us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentByTypeAxis=slab_LeaseholdInterestInGroundLeasesMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

Name:	us-gaap_RangeAxis=us-gaap_MinimumMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
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