Income Per Share - Basis for Income Per Share Computations (Detail) - USD ($) shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jul. 01, 2018	Jul. 02, 2017	Jul. 01, 2018	Jul. 02, 2017
Numerator:
Net income	$ 28,792	$ 35,891	$ 31,362	$ 61,472
Less: Net loss attributable to noncontrolling interest	(77)	(86)	(125)	(192)
Less: Preferred stock dividends	8,733	8,733	17,466	17,466
Net income attributable to Belden common stockholders	$ 20,136	$ 27,244	$ 14,021	$ 44,198
Denominator:
Weighted average shares outstanding, basic (in shares)	40,735	42,283	41,184	42,249
Effect of dilutive common stock equivalents (in shares)	239	549	308	504
Weighted average shares outstanding, diluted (in shares)	40,974	42,832	41,492	42,753