Cover Page - shares	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2023	Apr. 24, 2023
Document Information [Line Items]
Document Type	10-Q
Document Quarterly Report	true
Document Period End Date	Mar. 31, 2023
Document Transition Report	false
Entity File Number	000-25426
Entity Registrant Name	NATIONAL INSTRUMENTS CORPORATION
Entity Incorporation, State or Country Code	DE
Entity Tax Identification Number	74-1871327
Entity Address, Address Line One	11500 North MoPac Expressway
Entity Address, City or Town	Austin,
Entity Address, State or Province	TX
Entity Address, Postal Zip Code	78759
City Area Code	512
Local Phone Number	683-0100
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes
Entity Interactive Data Current	Yes
Entity Filer Category	Large Accelerated Filer
Entity Small Business	false
Entity Emerging Growth Company	false
Entity Shell Company	false
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		131,498,380
Entity Central Index Key	0000935494
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--12-31
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2023
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q1
Amendment Flag	false
Common Stock, $0.01 par value
Document Information [Line Items]
Title of 12(b) Security	Common Stock, $0.01 par value
Trading Symbol	NATI
Security Exchange Name	NASDAQ
Preferred Share Purchase Rights
Document Information [Line Items]
Title of 12(b) Security	Preferred Share Purchase Rights
Trading Symbol	N/A
Security Exchange Name	NASDAQ