Document and Entity Information - shares	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2020	Oct. 23, 2020
Cover [Abstract]
Document Type	10-Q
Document Quarterly Report	true
Document Period End Date	Sep. 30, 2020
Document Transition Report	false
Entity File Number	1-4639
Entity Registrant Name	CTS CORPORATION
Entity Incorporation, State or Country Code	IN
Entity Tax Identification Number	35-0225010
Entity Address, Address Line One	4925 Indiana Avenue
Entity Address, City or Town	Lisle
Entity Address, State or Province	IL
Entity Address, Postal Zip Code	60532
City Area Code	630
Local Phone Number	577-8800
Title of Each Class	Common stock, without par value
Trading Symbol	CTS
Security Exchange Name	NYSE
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes
Entity Interactive Data Current	Yes
Entity Filer Category	Large Accelerated Filer
Entity Small Business	false
Entity Emerging Growth Company	false
Entity Shell Company	false
Entity Central Index Key	0000026058
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--12-31
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2020
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q3
Amendment Flag	false
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		32,267,951