Income Per Share - Basis for Income Per Share Computations (Detail) - USD ($) shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Oct. 02, 2016	Sep. 27, 2015	Oct. 02, 2016	Sep. 27, 2015
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]
Income from continuing operations	$ 35,565	$ 14,811	$ 93,740	$ 16,852
Less: Net loss attributable to noncontrolling interest	(88)	0	(286)	0
Less: Preferred stock dividends	6,695	0	6,695	0
Income from continuing operations attributable to Belden common stockholders	28,958	14,811	87,331	16,852
Loss from discontinued operations, net of tax, attributable to Belden common stockholders	0	(242)	0	(242)
Loss from disposal of discontinued operations, net of tax, attributable to Belden common stockholders	0	0	0	(86)
Net income attributable to Belden common stockholders	$ 28,958	$ 14,569	$ 87,331	$ 16,524
Weighted average shares outstanding, basic (in shares)	42,126	42,417	42,073	42,536
Effect of dilutive common stock equivalents (in shares)	475	491	459	581
Weighted average shares outstanding, diluted (in shares)	42,601	42,908	42,532	43,117