The expected future life expectancy of qualified pension plans.

No definition available.

Name:	cts_DefinedBenefitPlanLife
Namespace Prefix:	cts_
Data Type:	xbrli:durationItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

The loss reported during the period for the termination of pension plan.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	cts_LossonTerminationofPensionPlan
Namespace Prefix:	cts_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Noncontributory pension benefit plans for employees.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	cts_NoncontributoryPensionBenefitPlansForEmployees
Namespace Prefix:	cts_
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

The amount of decrease that is related to an event that significantly reduces the expected years of future service of present employees or eliminates for a significant number of employees the accrual of defined benefits for some or all of their future services.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 715
-SubTopic 20
-Section 50
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (a)(10)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=65897934&loc=d3e1928-114920

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Glossary Plan Curtailment
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6520938

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 715
-SubTopic 30
-Section 15
-Paragraph 6
-Subparagraph (a)(2)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=7577095&loc=d3e8001-114927

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanCurtailments
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Amount included in accumulated other comprehensive income (AOCI) related to gain (loss) expected to be recognized as components of net periodic benefit cost for the fiscal year that follows the most recent annual statement of financial position.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanFutureAmortizationOfGainLoss
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Amount of employer's best estimate of contributions expected to be paid to the plan during the next fiscal year beginning after the date of the latest statement of financial position.

+ References

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansEstimatedFutureEmployerContributionsInNextFiscalYear
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

- References

No definition available.

+ Details

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

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis=us-gaap_UnitedStatesPensionPlansOfUSEntityDefinedBenefitMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis=us-gaap_ForeignPensionPlansDefinedBenefitMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis=us-gaap_OtherPostretirementBenefitPlansDefinedBenefitMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

Retirement Plans - Additional Information (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Retirement Plans
Noncontributory benefit pension plans covering active employees	6.00%
Loss on termination of pension plan		$ 8,280
Amortization period	20 years
Amortization of retirement benefits, net of tax	$ 5,931
U.S.Pension Plans
Retirement Plans
Curtailment loss	0	0	$ 0
Expected contribution to be made by CTS	317
Non-U.S. Pension Plans
Retirement Plans
Curtailment loss	0	$ 0	$ 0
Expected contribution to be made by CTS	$ 307
Post-Retirement Life Insurance Plan
Retirement Plans
Amortization period	4 years