Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Statement of Comprehensive Income [Abstract]
Net income	$ 160,711	$ 92,853	$ 127,646
Foreign currency translation, net of tax of $1.7 million, $1.3 million, and $1.2 million, respectively	27,802	(65,046)	18,687
Adjustments to pension and postretirement liability, net of tax of $1.0 million, $2.2 million, and $1.9 million, respectively	(4,690)	6,071	1,170
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax	23,112	(58,975)	19,857
Comprehensive income	183,823	33,878	147,503
Less: Comprehensive loss attributable to noncontrolling interest	(190)	(373)	(420)
Comprehensive income attributable to Belden	$ 184,013	$ 34,251	$ 147,923