Income Per Share - Basis for Income Per Share Computations (Detail) - USD ($) shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Apr. 01, 2018	Apr. 02, 2017
Numerator:
Net income	$ 2,570	$ 25,581
Less: Net loss attributable to noncontrolling interest	(48)	(106)
Less: Preferred stock dividends	8,733	8,733
Net income (loss) attributable to Belden common stockholders	$ (6,115)	$ 16,954
Denominator:
Weighted average shares outstanding, basic (in shares)	41,633	42,216
Effect of dilutive common stock equivalents (in shares)	0	459
Weighted average shares outstanding, diluted (in shares)	41,633	42,675