Income Per Share - Basis for Income Per Share Computations (Detail) - USD ($) shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jul. 03, 2016	Jun. 28, 2015	Jul. 03, 2016	Jun. 28, 2015
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]
Income from continuing operations	$ 41,750	$ 21,677	$ 58,175	$ 2,041
Less: Net loss attributable to noncontrolling interest	(99)		(198)
Income from continuing operations attributable to Belden stockholders	41,849	21,677	58,373	2,041
Loss from disposal of discontinued operations, net of tax, attributable to Belden stockholders		(86)		(86)
Net income attributable to Belden stockholders	$ 41,849	$ 21,591	$ 58,373	$ 1,955
Weighted average shares outstanding, basic	42,085	42,655	42,046	42,596
Effect of dilutive common stock equivalents	463	578	447	628
Weighted average shares outstanding, diluted	42,548	43,233	42,493	43,224