Basis of Presentation	9 Months Ended
Oct. 01, 2011
Basis of Presentation [Abstract]
BASIS OF PRESENTATION	NOTE 1. BASIS OF PRESENTATION The Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements included in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q have been prepared by Cadence Design Systems, Inc., or Cadence, without audit, pursuant to the rules and regulations of the United States Securities and Exchange Commission, or the SEC. Certain information and footnote disclosures normally included in consolidated financial statements prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles have been condensed or omitted pursuant to such rules and regulations. However, Cadence believes that the disclosures contained in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q comply with the requirements of Section 13(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or the Exchange Act, for a Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q and are adequate to make the information presented not misleading. These Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements are meant to be, and should be, read in conjunction with the Consolidated Financial Statements and the Notes thereto included in Cadence’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended January 1, 2011. Certain prior period balances have been reclassified to conform to current period presentation. The unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements included in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q reflect all adjustments (which include only normal, recurring adjustments and those items discussed in these Notes) that are, in the opinion of management, necessary to state fairly the results of operations, cash flows and financial position for the periods and dates presented. The results for such periods are not necessarily indicative of the results to be expected for the full fiscal year. Preparation of the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements in conformity with United States generally accepted accounting principles requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements and the reported amounts of revenue and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates. Cadence adopted new revenue recognition standards on the first day of fiscal 2011. See Note 3 for an additional description of Cadence’s adoption of these standards. Cadence evaluated subsequent events through the date on which this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q was filed with the SEC.

Basis of Presentation

9 Months Ended

Oct. 01, 2011

NOTE 1. BASIS OF PRESENTATION

The Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements included in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q have been prepared by Cadence Design Systems, Inc., or Cadence, without audit, pursuant to the rules and regulations of the United States Securities and Exchange Commission, or the SEC. Certain information and footnote disclosures normally included in consolidated financial statements prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles have been condensed or omitted pursuant to such rules and regulations. However, Cadence believes that the disclosures contained in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q comply with the requirements of Section 13(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or the Exchange Act, for a Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q and are adequate to make the information presented not misleading. These Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements are meant to be, and should be, read in conjunction with the Consolidated Financial Statements and the Notes thereto included in Cadence’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended January 1, 2011. Certain prior period balances have been reclassified to conform to current period presentation.

The unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements included in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q reflect all adjustments (which include only normal, recurring adjustments and those items discussed in these Notes) that are, in the opinion of management, necessary to state fairly the results of operations, cash flows and financial position for the periods and dates presented. The results for such periods are not necessarily indicative of the results to be expected for the full fiscal year.

Preparation of the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements in conformity with United States generally accepted accounting principles requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements and the reported amounts of revenue and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

Cadence adopted new revenue recognition standards on the first day of fiscal 2011. See Note 3 for an additional description of Cadence’s adoption of these standards.

Cadence evaluated subsequent events through the date on which this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q was filed with the SEC.