Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Statement of Comprehensive Income [Abstract]
Net income	$ 92,853	$ 127,646	$ 66,180
Foreign currency translation, net of tax of $1.3 million, $1.2 million, and $1.3 million, respectively	(65,046)	18,687	(20,842)
Adjustments to pension and postretirement liability, net of tax of $2.2 million, $1.9 million, and $3.1 million, respectively	6,071	1,170	7,864
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax	(58,975)	19,857	(12,978)
Comprehensive income	33,878	147,503	53,202
Less: Comprehensive loss attributable to noncontrolling interest	(373)	(420)	(46)
Comprehensive income attributable to Belden	$ 34,251	$ 147,923	$ 53,248