Comprehensive Income and Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) - Components of Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2021	Dec. 31, 2020
AOCI Attributable to Parent, Net of Tax [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance	$ 757,051	$ 965,819
Other comprehensive gain (loss) attributable to Belden before reclassifications	119,343	(143,901)
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income	1,942	15,468
Net current period other comprehensive gain (loss) attributable to Belden	121,285	(128,433)
Ending balance	956,082	757,051
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)
AOCI Attributable to Parent, Net of Tax [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance	(191,851)	(63,418)
Ending balance	(70,566)	(191,851)
Foreign Currency Translation Component
AOCI Attributable to Parent, Net of Tax [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance	(131,181)	(18,225)
Other comprehensive gain (loss) attributable to Belden before reclassifications	90,690	(123,101)
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income	(977)	10,145
Net current period other comprehensive gain (loss) attributable to Belden	89,713	(112,956)
Ending balance	(41,468)	(131,181)
Pension and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans
AOCI Attributable to Parent, Net of Tax [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance	(60,670)	(45,193)
Other comprehensive gain (loss) attributable to Belden before reclassifications	28,653	(20,800)
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income	2,919	5,323
Net current period other comprehensive gain (loss) attributable to Belden	31,572	(15,477)
Ending balance	$ (29,098)	$ (60,670)