Employee Benefit Plans - Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Detail) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Compensation And Retirement Disclosure [Abstract]
Net actuarial (gain) loss	$ 1,083	$ 1,862
Net unrealized (gain) loss on plan assets	(192)	90
Total	$ 891	$ 1,952

Defined benefit plan accumulated other comprehensive income net unrealized gains loss on plan assets net of tax.

No definition available.

Name:	adtn_DefinedBenefitPlanAccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeNetUnrealizedGainsLossOnPlanAssetsNetOfTax
Namespace Prefix:	adtn_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant