Document and Entity Information - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2022	Feb. 17, 2023	Jul. 02, 2022
Cover [Abstract]
Document Type	10-K
Document Annual Report	true
Document Period End Date	Dec. 31, 2022
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--12-31
Document Transition Report	false
Entity File Number	001-11406
Entity Registrant Name	KADANT INC.
Entity Incorporation, State or Country Code	DE
Entity Tax Identification Number	52-1762325
Entity Address, Address Line One	One Technology Park Drive
Entity Address, City or Town	Westford
Entity Address, State or Province	MA
Entity Address, Postal Zip Code	01886
City Area Code	978
Local Phone Number	776-2000
Title of 12(b) Security	Common Stock, $.01 par value
Trading Symbol	KAI
Security Exchange Name	NYSE
Entity Well-known Seasoned Issuer	Yes
Entity Voluntary Filers	No
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
ICFR Auditor Attestation Flag	true
Entity Shell Company	false
Entity Public Float			$ 2,138,187
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		11,674,218
Documents Incorporated by Reference	Portions of the Registrant's definitive Proxy Statement pursuant to Regulation 14A promulgated under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, to be used in connection with the Registrant's 2023 Annual Meeting of Stockholders are incorporated by reference into Part III of this Form 10-K.
Entity Central Index Key	0000886346
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2022
Document Fiscal Period Focus	FY
Amendment Flag	false