Document and Entity Information - shares	3 Months Ended
	Apr. 01, 2022	May 03, 2022
Cover [Abstract]
Document Type	10-Q
Amendment Flag	false
Document Period End Date	Apr. 01, 2022
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2022
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q1
Trading Symbol	NOVT
Entity Registrant Name	NOVANTA INC.
Entity Central Index Key	0001076930
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--12-31
Entity Filer Category	Large Accelerated Filer
Entity Small Business	false
Entity Emerging Growth Company	false
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		35,704,230
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes
Entity Shell Company	false
Entity File Number	001-35083
Entity Tax Identification Number	98-0110412
Entity Address, Address Line One	125 Middlesex Turnpike
Entity Address, City or Town	Bedford
Entity Address, State or Province	MA
Entity Address, Country	US
Entity Address, Postal Zip Code	01730
City Area Code	781
Local Phone Number	266-5700
Document Quarterly Report	true
Document Transition Report	false
Entity Incorporation, State or Country Code	A3
Entity Interactive Data Current	Yes
Security Exchange Name	NASDAQ
Title of 12(b) Security	Common shares, no par value