Income (loss) per Share - Basis for Income Per Share Computations (Details) - USD ($) shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jul. 03, 2022	Jul. 04, 2021	Jul. 03, 2022	Jul. 04, 2021
Numerator:
Income from continuing operations	$ 58,642	$ 45,346	$ 102,738	$ 74,411
Less: Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest	81	208	84	283
Income from continuing operations attributable to Belden stockholders	58,561	45,138	102,654	74,128
Add: Loss from discontinued operations, net of tax	0	(1,374)	(3,685)	(1,698)
Add: Loss on disposal of discontinued operations, net of tax	0	0	(4,567)	0
Net income attributable to Belden stockholders	$ 58,561	$ 43,764	$ 94,402	$ 72,430
Denominator:
Weighted average shares outstanding, basic (in shares)	44,252	44,759	44,535	44,717
Effect of dilutive common stock equivalents (in shares)	530	503	644	445
Weighted average shares outstanding, diluted (in shares)	44,782	45,262	45,179	45,162