Contingencies (Details Textual) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
Mar. 30, 2013	Mar. 31, 2012
Contingencies (Textual) [Abstract]
General period of warranty on sales of hardware products	90 days
Significant losses from indemnification claims	$ 0	$ 0

General period of warranty on sales of hardware products.

No definition available.

Name:	cdns_GeneralPeriodOfWarrantyOnSalesOfHardwareProducts
Namespace Prefix:	cdns_
Data Type:	xbrli:durationItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration