Document and Entity Information	9 Months Ended
	Oct. 03, 2015 shares
Document and Entity Information [Abstract]
Entity Registrant Name	CADENCE DESIGN SYSTEMS INC
Entity Central Index Key	0000813672
Document Type	10-Q
Document Period End Date	Oct. 03, 2015
Amendment Flag	false
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2015
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q3
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--01-02
Entity Filer Category	Large Accelerated Filer
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding	297,496,000