Document and Entity Information	3 Months Ended
	Apr. 04, 2015	May 01, 2015
Document and Entity Information [Abstract]
Entity Registrant Name	Kadant Inc
Entity Central Index Key	0000886346
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--01-02
Entity Filer Category	Accelerated Filer
Document Type	10-Q
Document Period End Date	Apr. 04, 2015
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2015
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q1
Amendment Flag	false
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		10,966,486