Document And Entity Information	9 Months Ended
	Oct. 01, 2011	Oct. 28, 2011
Entity Information [Line Items]
Entity Registrant Name	VISHAY INTERTECHNOLOGY INC
Entity Central Index Key	0000103730
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--12-31
Entity Well-known Seasoned Issuer	Yes
Entity Voluntary Filers	No
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes
Entity Filer Category	Large Accelerated Filer
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		143,727,946
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2011
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q3
Document Type	10-Q
Amendment Flag	false
Document Period End Date	Oct. 01, 2011
Class B Convertible Common Stock
Entity Information [Line Items]
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		13,452,549