Income (loss) per Share - Basis for Income Per Share Computations (Details) - USD ($) shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Apr. 03, 2022	Apr. 04, 2021
Numerator:
Income from continuing operations	$ 44,096	$ 29,065
Less: Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest	3	75
Income from continuing operations attributable to Belden stockholders	44,093	28,990
Add: Loss from discontinued operations, net of tax	(3,685)	(324)
Add: Loss on disposal of discontinued operations, net of tax	(4,567)	0
Net income attributable to Belden stockholders	$ 35,841	$ 28,666
Denominator:
Weighted average shares outstanding, basic (in shares)	44,811	44,679
Effect of dilutive common stock equivalents (in shares)	756	366
Weighted average shares outstanding, diluted (in shares)	45,567	45,045