Earnings Per Share (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2012	Apr. 02, 2011
Numerator for basic earnings per share:
Net earnings	$ 33,812	$ 75,287
Adjustment to the numerator for continuing operations and net earnings:
Interest savings assuming conversion of dilutive convertible and exchangeable notes, net of tax	90	47
Numerator for diluted earnings per share:
Net earnings	$ 33,902	$ 75,334
Denominator for basic earnings per share:
Weighted average shares outstanding - basic (in shares)	157,199	165,186
Effect of dilutive securities:
Convertible and exchangeable debt instruments	6,176	9,761
Other	569	714
Dilutive potential common shares	6,745	10,475
Denominator for diluted earnings per share:
Weighted average shares outstanding - diluted (in shares)	163,944	175,661
Basic earnings per share attributable to Vishay stockholders (in dollars per share)	$ 0.22	$ 0.46
Diluted earnings per share attributable to Vishay stockholders (in dollars per share)	$ 0.21	$ 0.43
Convertible Senior Debentures 2041 [Member]
Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share [Line Items]
Antidilutive Securities Excluded From Computation Of Earnings Per Share Amount (in shares)	7,885	0
Minimum market price of common stock for inclusion of shares issuable upon conversion of senior debentures for calculation of diluted earnings per share (in dollars per share)	$ 19.02
Weighted average other [Member]
Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share [Line Items]
Antidilutive Securities Excluded From Computation Of Earnings Per Share Amount (in shares)	208	36
Weighted average warrants [Member]
Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share [Line Items]
Antidilutive Securities Excluded From Computation Of Earnings Per Share Amount (in shares)	8,824	8,824
Convertible Senior Debentures 2040 [Member]
Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share [Line Items]
Antidilutive Securities Excluded From Computation Of Earnings Per Share Amount (in shares)	19,809	0
Minimum market price of common stock for inclusion of shares issuable upon conversion of senior debentures for calculation of diluted earnings per share (in dollars per share)	$ 13.88
Weighted average employees stock options [Member]
Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share [Line Items]
Antidilutive Securities Excluded From Computation Of Earnings Per Share Amount (in shares)	358	5

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- Details

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