<?xml version='1.0' encoding='UTF-8'?>
<FilingSummary>
  <Version>3.7.0.1</Version>
  <ProcessingTime/>
  <ReportFormat>html</ReportFormat>
  <ContextCount>452</ContextCount>
  <ElementCount>568</ElementCount>
  <EntityCount>1</EntityCount>
  <FootnotesReported>true</FootnotesReported>
  <SegmentCount>111</SegmentCount>
  <ScenarioCount>0</ScenarioCount>
  <TuplesReported>false</TuplesReported>
  <UnitCount>9</UnitCount>
  <MyReports>
    <Report instance="novt-20161231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R1.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>100000 - Document - Document and Entity Information</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.novanta.com/20161231/taxonomy/role/DocumentDocumentAndEntityInformation</Role>
      <ShortName>Document and Entity Information</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Cover</MenuCategory>
      <Position>1</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="novt-20161231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R2.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>100010 - Statement - CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.novanta.com/20161231/taxonomy/role/StatementCONSOLIDATEDBALANCESHEETS</Role>
      <ShortName>CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Statements</MenuCategory>
      <Position>2</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="novt-20161231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R3.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>100020 - Statement - CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (Parenthetical)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.novanta.com/20161231/taxonomy/role/StatementCONSOLIDATEDBALANCESHEETSParenthetical</Role>
      <ShortName>CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (Parenthetical)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Statements</MenuCategory>
      <Position>3</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="novt-20161231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R4.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>100030 - Statement - CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.novanta.com/20161231/taxonomy/role/StatementCONSOLIDATEDSTATEMENTSOFOPERATIONS</Role>
      <ShortName>CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Statements</MenuCategory>
      <Position>4</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="novt-20161231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R5.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>100050 - Statement - CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.novanta.com/20161231/taxonomy/role/StatementCONSOLIDATEDSTATEMENTSOFCOMPREHENSIVEINCOMELOSS</Role>
      <ShortName>CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Statements</MenuCategory>
      <Position>5</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="novt-20161231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R6.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>100060 - Statement - CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS) (Parenthetical)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.novanta.com/20161231/taxonomy/role/StatementCONSOLIDATEDSTATEMENTSOFCOMPREHENSIVEINCOMELOSSParenthetical</Role>
      <ShortName>CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS) (Parenthetical)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Statements</MenuCategory>
      <Position>6</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="novt-20161231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R7.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>100070 - Statement - CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.novanta.com/20161231/taxonomy/role/StatementCONSOLIDATEDSTATEMENTSOFSTOCKHOLDERSEQUITY</Role>
      <ShortName>CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Statements</MenuCategory>
      <Position>7</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="novt-20161231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R8.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>100080 - Statement - CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.novanta.com/20161231/taxonomy/role/StatementCONSOLIDATEDSTATEMENTSOFCASHFLOWS</Role>
      <ShortName>CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Statements</MenuCategory>
      <Position>8</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="novt-20161231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R9.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>100090 - Disclosure - Organization and Presentation</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.novanta.com/20161231/taxonomy/role/DisclosureOrganizationAndPresentation</Role>
      <ShortName>Organization and Presentation</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>9</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="novt-20161231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R10.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>100100 - Disclosure - Summary of Significant Accounting Policies</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.novanta.com/20161231/taxonomy/role/DisclosureSummaryOfSignificantAccountingPolicies</Role>
      <ShortName>Summary of Significant Accounting Policies</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>10</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="novt-20161231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R11.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>100110 - Disclosure - Business Combinations</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.novanta.com/20161231/taxonomy/role/DisclosureBusinessCombinations</Role>
      <ShortName>Business Combinations</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>11</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="novt-20161231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R12.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>100120 - Disclosure - Discontinued Operations and Divestitures</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.novanta.com/20161231/taxonomy/role/DisclosureDiscontinuedOperationsAndDivestitures</Role>
      <ShortName>Discontinued Operations and Divestitures</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>12</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="novt-20161231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R13.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>100130 - Disclosure - Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.novanta.com/20161231/taxonomy/role/DisclosureAccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLoss</Role>
      <ShortName>Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>13</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="novt-20161231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R14.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>100140 - Disclosure - Goodwill, Intangible Assets and Impairment Charges</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.novanta.com/20161231/taxonomy/role/DisclosureGoodwillIntangibleAssetsAndImpairmentCharges</Role>
      <ShortName>Goodwill, Intangible Assets and Impairment Charges</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>14</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="novt-20161231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R15.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>100150 - Disclosure - Fair Value Measurements</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.novanta.com/20161231/taxonomy/role/DisclosureFairValueMeasurements</Role>
      <ShortName>Fair Value Measurements</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>15</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="novt-20161231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R16.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>100160 - Disclosure - Earnings (Loss) per Common Share</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.novanta.com/20161231/taxonomy/role/DisclosureEarningsLossPerCommonShare</Role>
      <ShortName>Earnings (Loss) per Common Share</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>16</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="novt-20161231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R17.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>100170 - Disclosure - Supplementary Balance Sheet Information</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.novanta.com/20161231/taxonomy/role/DisclosureSupplementaryBalanceSheetInformation</Role>
      <ShortName>Supplementary Balance Sheet Information</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>17</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="novt-20161231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R18.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>100180 - Disclosure - Debt</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.novanta.com/20161231/taxonomy/role/DisclosureDebt</Role>
      <ShortName>Debt</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>18</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="novt-20161231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R19.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>100190 - Disclosure - Capital Stock and Share-Based Compensation</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.novanta.com/20161231/taxonomy/role/DisclosureCapitalStockAndShareBasedCompensation</Role>
      <ShortName>Capital Stock and Share-Based Compensation</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>19</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="novt-20161231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R20.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>100200 - Disclosure - Employee Benefit Plans</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.novanta.com/20161231/taxonomy/role/DisclosureEmployeeBenefitPlans</Role>
      <ShortName>Employee Benefit Plans</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>20</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="novt-20161231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R21.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>100210 - Disclosure - Income Taxes</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.novanta.com/20161231/taxonomy/role/DisclosureIncomeTaxes</Role>
      <ShortName>Income Taxes</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>21</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="novt-20161231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R22.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>100220 - Disclosure - Restructuring, Acquisition and Divestiture Related Costs</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.novanta.com/20161231/taxonomy/role/DisclosureRestructuringAcquisitionAndDivestitureRelatedCosts</Role>
      <ShortName>Restructuring, Acquisition and Divestiture Related Costs</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>22</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="novt-20161231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R23.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>100230 - Disclosure - Commitments and Contingencies</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.novanta.com/20161231/taxonomy/role/DisclosureCommitmentsAndContingencies</Role>
      <ShortName>Commitments and Contingencies</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>23</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="novt-20161231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R24.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>100240 - Disclosure - Segment Information</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.novanta.com/20161231/taxonomy/role/DisclosureSegmentInformation</Role>
      <ShortName>Segment Information</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>24</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="novt-20161231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R25.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>100250 - Disclosure - Subsequent Events</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.novanta.com/20161231/taxonomy/role/DisclosureSubsequentEvents</Role>
      <ShortName>Subsequent Events</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>25</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="novt-20161231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R26.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>100260 - Disclosure - Organization and Presentation (Policies)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.novanta.com/20161231/taxonomy/role/DisclosureOrganizationAndPresentationPolicies</Role>
      <ShortName>Organization and Presentation (Policies)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Policies</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.novanta.com/20161231/taxonomy/role/DisclosureSummaryOfSignificantAccountingPolicies</ParentRole>
      <Position>26</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="novt-20161231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R27.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>100270 - Disclosure - Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.novanta.com/20161231/taxonomy/role/DisclosureSummaryOfSignificantAccountingPoliciesTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Tables)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Tables</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.novanta.com/20161231/taxonomy/role/DisclosureSummaryOfSignificantAccountingPolicies</ParentRole>
      <Position>27</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="novt-20161231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R28.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>100280 - Disclosure - Business Combinations (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.novanta.com/20161231/taxonomy/role/DisclosureBusinessCombinationsTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Business Combinations (Tables)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Tables</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.novanta.com/20161231/taxonomy/role/DisclosureBusinessCombinations</ParentRole>
      <Position>28</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="novt-20161231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R29.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>100290 - Disclosure - Discontinued Operations and Divestitures (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.novanta.com/20161231/taxonomy/role/DisclosureDiscontinuedOperationsAndDivestituresTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Discontinued Operations and Divestitures (Tables)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Tables</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.novanta.com/20161231/taxonomy/role/DisclosureDiscontinuedOperationsAndDivestitures</ParentRole>
      <Position>29</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="novt-20161231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R30.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>100300 - Disclosure - Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.novanta.com/20161231/taxonomy/role/DisclosureAccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) (Tables)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Tables</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.novanta.com/20161231/taxonomy/role/DisclosureAccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLoss</ParentRole>
      <Position>30</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="novt-20161231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R31.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>100310 - Disclosure - Goodwill, Intangible Assets and Impairment Charges (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.novanta.com/20161231/taxonomy/role/DisclosureGoodwillIntangibleAssetsAndImpairmentChargesTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Goodwill, Intangible Assets and Impairment Charges (Tables)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Tables</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.novanta.com/20161231/taxonomy/role/DisclosureGoodwillIntangibleAssetsAndImpairmentCharges</ParentRole>
      <Position>31</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="novt-20161231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R32.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>100320 - Disclosure - Fair Value Measurements (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.novanta.com/20161231/taxonomy/role/DisclosureFairValueMeasurementsTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Fair Value Measurements (Tables)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Tables</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.novanta.com/20161231/taxonomy/role/DisclosureFairValueMeasurements</ParentRole>
      <Position>32</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="novt-20161231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R33.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>100330 - Disclosure - Earnings (Loss) per Common Share (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.novanta.com/20161231/taxonomy/role/DisclosureEarningsLossPerCommonShareTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Earnings (Loss) per Common Share (Tables)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Tables</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.novanta.com/20161231/taxonomy/role/DisclosureEarningsLossPerCommonShare</ParentRole>
      <Position>33</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="novt-20161231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R34.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>100340 - Disclosure - Supplementary Balance Sheet Information (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.novanta.com/20161231/taxonomy/role/DisclosureSupplementaryBalanceSheetInformationTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Supplementary Balance Sheet Information (Tables)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Tables</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.novanta.com/20161231/taxonomy/role/DisclosureSupplementaryBalanceSheetInformation</ParentRole>
      <Position>34</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="novt-20161231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R35.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>100350 - Disclosure - Debt (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.novanta.com/20161231/taxonomy/role/DisclosureDebtTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Debt (Tables)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Tables</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.novanta.com/20161231/taxonomy/role/DisclosureDebt</ParentRole>
      <Position>35</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="novt-20161231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R36.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>100360 - Disclosure - Capital Stock and Share-Based Compensation (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.novanta.com/20161231/taxonomy/role/DisclosureCapitalStockAndShareBasedCompensationTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Capital Stock and Share-Based Compensation (Tables)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Tables</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.novanta.com/20161231/taxonomy/role/DisclosureCapitalStockAndShareBasedCompensation</ParentRole>
      <Position>36</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="novt-20161231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R37.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>100370 - Disclosure - Employee Benefit Plans (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.novanta.com/20161231/taxonomy/role/DisclosureEmployeeBenefitPlansTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Employee Benefit Plans (Tables)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Tables</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.novanta.com/20161231/taxonomy/role/DisclosureEmployeeBenefitPlans</ParentRole>
      <Position>37</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="novt-20161231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R38.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>100380 - Disclosure - Income Taxes (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.novanta.com/20161231/taxonomy/role/DisclosureIncomeTaxesTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Income Taxes (Tables)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Tables</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.novanta.com/20161231/taxonomy/role/DisclosureIncomeTaxes</ParentRole>
      <Position>38</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="novt-20161231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R39.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>100390 - Disclosure - Restructuring, Acquisition and Divestiture Related Costs (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.novanta.com/20161231/taxonomy/role/DisclosureRestructuringAcquisitionAndDivestitureRelatedCostsTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Restructuring, Acquisition and Divestiture Related Costs (Tables)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Tables</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.novanta.com/20161231/taxonomy/role/DisclosureRestructuringAcquisitionAndDivestitureRelatedCosts</ParentRole>
      <Position>39</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="novt-20161231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R40.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>100400 - Disclosure - Commitments and Contingencies (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.novanta.com/20161231/taxonomy/role/DisclosureCommitmentsAndContingenciesTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Commitments and Contingencies (Tables)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Tables</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.novanta.com/20161231/taxonomy/role/DisclosureCommitmentsAndContingencies</ParentRole>
      <Position>40</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="novt-20161231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R41.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>100410 - Disclosure - Segment Information (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.novanta.com/20161231/taxonomy/role/DisclosureSegmentInformationTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Segment Information (Tables)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Tables</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.novanta.com/20161231/taxonomy/role/DisclosureSegmentInformation</ParentRole>
      <Position>41</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="novt-20161231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R42.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>100420 - Disclosure - Organization and Presentation - Additional Information (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.novanta.com/20161231/taxonomy/role/DisclosureOrganizationAndPresentationAdditionalInformationDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Organization and Presentation - Additional Information (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>42</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="novt-20161231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R43.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>100430 - Disclosure - Summary of Significant Accounting Policies - Additional Information (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.novanta.com/20161231/taxonomy/role/DisclosureSummaryOfSignificantAccountingPoliciesAdditionalInformationDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Summary of Significant Accounting Policies - Additional Information (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>43</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="novt-20161231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R44.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>100440 - Disclosure - Summary of Financial Information of Laser Quantum - Income Statement (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.novanta.com/20161231/taxonomy/role/DisclosureSummaryOfFinancialInformationOfLaserQuantumIncomeStatementDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Summary of Financial Information of Laser Quantum - Income Statement (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>44</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="novt-20161231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R45.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>100450 - Disclosure - Summary of Financial Information of Laser Quantum - Balance Sheet (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.novanta.com/20161231/taxonomy/role/DisclosureSummaryOfFinancialInformationOfLaserQuantumBalanceSheetDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Summary of Financial Information of Laser Quantum - Balance Sheet (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>45</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="novt-20161231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R46.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>100460 - Disclosure - Summary of Financial Information of Laser Quantum - Balance Sheet (Details) (Parenthetical)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.novanta.com/20161231/taxonomy/role/DisclosureSummaryOfFinancialInformationOfLaserQuantumBalanceSheetDetailsParenthetical</Role>
      <ShortName>Summary of Financial Information of Laser Quantum - Balance Sheet (Details) (Parenthetical)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>46</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="novt-20161231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R47.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>100470 - Disclosure - Changes in Allowance for Doubtful Accounts (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.novanta.com/20161231/taxonomy/role/DisclosureChangesInAllowanceForDoubtfulAccountsDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Changes in Allowance for Doubtful Accounts (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>47</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="novt-20161231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R48.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>100480 - Disclosure - Business Combinations - Additional Information (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.novanta.com/20161231/taxonomy/role/DisclosureBusinessCombinationsAdditionalInformationDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Business Combinations - Additional Information (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>48</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="novt-20161231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R49.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>100490 - Disclosure - Summary of Fair Values of Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed Purchase Price Allocation (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.novanta.com/20161231/taxonomy/role/DisclosureSummaryOfFairValuesOfAssetsAcquiredAndLiabilitiesAssumedPurchasePriceAllocationDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Summary of Fair Values of Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed Purchase Price Allocation (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>49</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="novt-20161231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R50.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>100500 - Disclosure - Fair Value of Intangible Assets (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.novanta.com/20161231/taxonomy/role/DisclosureFairValueOfIntangibleAssetsDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Fair Value of Intangible Assets (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>50</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="novt-20161231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R51.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>100510 - Disclosure - Discontinued Operations and Divestitures - Additional Information (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.novanta.com/20161231/taxonomy/role/DisclosureDiscontinuedOperationsAndDivestituresAdditionalInformationDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Discontinued Operations and Divestitures - Additional Information (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>51</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="novt-20161231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R52.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>100520 - Disclosure - Operating Results Reported as Discontinued Operations (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.novanta.com/20161231/taxonomy/role/DisclosureOperatingResultsReportedAsDiscontinuedOperationsDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Operating Results Reported as Discontinued Operations (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>52</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="novt-20161231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R53.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>100530 - Disclosure - Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.novanta.com/20161231/taxonomy/role/DisclosureAccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.novanta.com/20161231/taxonomy/role/DisclosureAccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossTables</ParentRole>
      <Position>53</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="novt-20161231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R54.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>100540 - Disclosure - Summary of Changes in Goodwill (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.novanta.com/20161231/taxonomy/role/DisclosureSummaryOfChangesInGoodwillDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Summary of Changes in Goodwill (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>54</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="novt-20161231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R55.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>100550 - Disclosure - Goodwill By Reportable Segment (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.novanta.com/20161231/taxonomy/role/DisclosureGoodwillByReportableSegmentDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Goodwill By Reportable Segment (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>55</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="novt-20161231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R56.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>100560 - Disclosure - Intangible Assets (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.novanta.com/20161231/taxonomy/role/DisclosureIntangibleAssetsDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Intangible Assets (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>56</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="novt-20161231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R57.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>100570 - Disclosure - Fair Value of Intangible Assets Acquired (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.novanta.com/20161231/taxonomy/role/DisclosureFairValueOfIntangibleAssetsAcquiredDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Fair Value of Intangible Assets Acquired (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>57</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="novt-20161231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R58.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>100580 - Disclosure - Amortization Expense of Intangible Assets (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.novanta.com/20161231/taxonomy/role/DisclosureAmortizationExpenseOfIntangibleAssetsDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Amortization Expense of Intangible Assets (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>58</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="novt-20161231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R59.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>100590 - Disclosure - Estimated Future Amortization Expense (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.novanta.com/20161231/taxonomy/role/DisclosureEstimatedFutureAmortizationExpenseDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Estimated Future Amortization Expense (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>59</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="novt-20161231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R60.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>100600 - Disclosure - Goodwill, Intangible Assets and Impairment Charges - Additional Information (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.novanta.com/20161231/taxonomy/role/DisclosureGoodwillIntangibleAssetsAndImpairmentChargesAdditionalInformationDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Goodwill, Intangible Assets and Impairment Charges - Additional Information (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>60</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="novt-20161231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R61.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>100610 - Disclosure - Fair Value Measurements - Additional Information (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.novanta.com/20161231/taxonomy/role/DisclosureFairValueMeasurementsAdditionalInformationDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Fair Value Measurements - Additional Information (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>61</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="novt-20161231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R62.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>100620 - Disclosure - Fair Values of Assets and Liabilities Measured at Fair Value on Recurring Basis (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.novanta.com/20161231/taxonomy/role/DisclosureFairValuesOfAssetsAndLiabilitiesMeasuredAtFairValueOnRecurringBasisDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Fair Values of Assets and Liabilities Measured at Fair Value on Recurring Basis (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>62</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="novt-20161231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R63.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>100630 - Disclosure - Fair Value Measurements - Summary of Changes in the Fair Value of Level 3 Contingent Consideration (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.novanta.com/20161231/taxonomy/role/DisclosureFairValueMeasurementsSummaryOfChangesInFairValueOfLevel3ContingentConsiderationDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Fair Value Measurements - Summary of Changes in the Fair Value of Level 3 Contingent Consideration (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>63</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="novt-20161231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R64.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>100640 - Disclosure - Fair Value Measurements - Summary of Changes in the Fair Value Measurement of the Company's Level 3 Financial Instrument (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.novanta.com/20161231/taxonomy/role/DisclosureFairValueMeasurementsSummaryOfChangesInFairValueMeasurementOfCompanySLevel3FinancialInstrumentDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Fair Value Measurements - Summary of Changes in the Fair Value Measurement of the Company's Level 3 Financial Instrument (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>64</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="novt-20161231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R65.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>100650 - Disclosure - Fair Value Measurements - Summary of Changes in the Fair Value Measurement of the Company's Level 3 Financial Instrument (Parenthetical) (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.novanta.com/20161231/taxonomy/role/DisclosureFairValueMeasurementsSummaryOfChangesInFairValueMeasurementOfCompanySLevel3FinancialInstrumentParentheticalDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Fair Value Measurements - Summary of Changes in the Fair Value Measurement of the Company's Level 3 Financial Instrument (Parenthetical) (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>65</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="novt-20161231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R66.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>100660 - Disclosure - Computation of Basic and Diluted Earnings (Loss) Per Share (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.novanta.com/20161231/taxonomy/role/DisclosureComputationOfBasicAndDilutedEarningsLossPerShareDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Computation of Basic and Diluted Earnings (Loss) Per Share (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>66</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="novt-20161231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R67.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>100670 - Disclosure - Earnings (Loss) Per Common Share - Additional Information (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.novanta.com/20161231/taxonomy/role/DisclosureEarningsLossPerCommonShareAdditionalInformationDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Earnings (Loss) Per Common Share - Additional Information (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.novanta.com/20161231/taxonomy/role/DisclosureEarningsLossPerCommonShareTables</ParentRole>
      <Position>67</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="novt-20161231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R68.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>100680 - Disclosure - Inventories (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.novanta.com/20161231/taxonomy/role/DisclosureInventoriesDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Inventories (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>68</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="novt-20161231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R69.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>100690 - Disclosure - Property Plant and Equipment, Net (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.novanta.com/20161231/taxonomy/role/DisclosurePropertyPlantAndEquipmentNetDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Property Plant and Equipment, Net (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>69</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="novt-20161231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R70.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>100700 - Disclosure - Supplementary Balance Sheet Information - Additional Information (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.novanta.com/20161231/taxonomy/role/DisclosureSupplementaryBalanceSheetInformationAdditionalInformationDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Supplementary Balance Sheet Information - Additional Information (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>70</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="novt-20161231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R71.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>100710 - Disclosure - Summary of Depreciation Expense on Property, Plant and Equipment, Including Demo Units and Assets under Capital Leases (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.novanta.com/20161231/taxonomy/role/DisclosureSummaryOfDepreciationExpenseOnPropertyPlantAndEquipmentIncludingDemoUnitsAndAssetsUnderCapitalLeasesDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Summary of Depreciation Expense on Property, Plant and Equipment, Including Demo Units and Assets under Capital Leases (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>71</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="novt-20161231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R72.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>100720 - Disclosure - Summary of Total Accumulated Depreciation on Assets under Capital Leases (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.novanta.com/20161231/taxonomy/role/DisclosureSummaryOfTotalAccumulatedDepreciationOnAssetsUnderCapitalLeasesDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Summary of Total Accumulated Depreciation on Assets under Capital Leases (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>72</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="novt-20161231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R73.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>100730 - Disclosure - Accrued Expenses and Other Current Liabilities (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.novanta.com/20161231/taxonomy/role/DisclosureAccruedExpensesAndOtherCurrentLiabilitiesDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Accrued Expenses and Other Current Liabilities (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>73</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="novt-20161231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R74.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>100740 - Disclosure - Accrued Warranty (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.novanta.com/20161231/taxonomy/role/DisclosureAccruedWarrantyDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Accrued Warranty (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>74</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="novt-20161231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R75.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>100750 - Disclosure - Summary of Other Long Term Liabilities (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.novanta.com/20161231/taxonomy/role/DisclosureSummaryOfOtherLongTermLiabilitiesDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Summary of Other Long Term Liabilities (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>75</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="novt-20161231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R76.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>100760 - Disclosure - Debt (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.novanta.com/20161231/taxonomy/role/DisclosureDebtDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Debt (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.novanta.com/20161231/taxonomy/role/DisclosureDebtTables</ParentRole>
      <Position>76</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="novt-20161231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R77.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>100770 - Disclosure - Debt - Additional Information (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.novanta.com/20161231/taxonomy/role/DisclosureDebtAdditionalInformationDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Debt - Additional Information (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>77</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="novt-20161231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R78.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>100780 - Disclosure - Principal Repayments on Outstanding Term Loan (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.novanta.com/20161231/taxonomy/role/DisclosurePrincipalRepaymentsOnOutstandingTermLoanDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Principal Repayments on Outstanding Term Loan (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>78</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="novt-20161231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R79.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>100790 - Disclosure - Capital Stock and Share-Based Compensation - Additional Information (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.novanta.com/20161231/taxonomy/role/DisclosureCapitalStockAndShareBasedCompensationAdditionalInformationDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Capital Stock and Share-Based Compensation - Additional Information (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>79</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="novt-20161231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R80.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>100800 - Disclosure - Capital Stock and Share-Based Compensation - Share-Based Compensation Expense Recorded In Income from Continuing Operations in Statements of Operations (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.novanta.com/20161231/taxonomy/role/DisclosureCapitalStockAndShareBasedCompensationShareBasedCompensationExpenseRecordedInIncomeFromContinuingOperationsInStatementsOfOperationsDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Capital Stock and Share-Based Compensation - Share-Based Compensation Expense Recorded In Income from Continuing Operations in Statements of Operations (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>80</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="novt-20161231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R81.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>100810 - Disclosure - Capital Stock and Share-Based Compensation - Restricted Stock Units Issued and Outstanding (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.novanta.com/20161231/taxonomy/role/DisclosureCapitalStockAndShareBasedCompensationRestrictedStockUnitsIssuedAndOutstandingDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Capital Stock and Share-Based Compensation - Restricted Stock Units Issued and Outstanding (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>81</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="novt-20161231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R82.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>100820 - Disclosure - Capital Stock and Share-Based Compensation - Restricted Stock Units Issued and Outstanding (Parenthetical) (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.novanta.com/20161231/taxonomy/role/DisclosureCapitalStockAndShareBasedCompensationRestrictedStockUnitsIssuedAndOutstandingParentheticalDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Capital Stock and Share-Based Compensation - Restricted Stock Units Issued and Outstanding (Parenthetical) (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>82</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="novt-20161231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R83.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>100830 - Disclosure - Capital Stock and Share-Based Compensation - Performance Stock Units Issued and Outstanding (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.novanta.com/20161231/taxonomy/role/DisclosureCapitalStockAndShareBasedCompensationPerformanceStockUnitsIssuedAndOutstandingDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Capital Stock and Share-Based Compensation - Performance Stock Units Issued and Outstanding (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>83</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="novt-20161231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R84.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>100840 - Disclosure - Capital Stock and Share-Based Compensation - Performance Stock Units Issued and Outstanding (Parenthetical) (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.novanta.com/20161231/taxonomy/role/DisclosureCapitalStockAndShareBasedCompensationPerformanceStockUnitsIssuedAndOutstandingParentheticalDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Capital Stock and Share-Based Compensation - Performance Stock Units Issued and Outstanding (Parenthetical) (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>84</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="novt-20161231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R85.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>100850 - Disclosure - Capital Stock and Share-Based Compensation - Stock Options Issued and Outstanding (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.novanta.com/20161231/taxonomy/role/DisclosureCapitalStockAndShareBasedCompensationStockOptionsIssuedAndOutstandingDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Capital Stock and Share-Based Compensation - Stock Options Issued and Outstanding (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>85</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="novt-20161231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R86.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>100860 - Disclosure - Capital Stock and Share-Based Compensation - Stock Options Issued and Outstanding (Parenthetical) (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.novanta.com/20161231/taxonomy/role/DisclosureCapitalStockAndShareBasedCompensationStockOptionsIssuedAndOutstandingParentheticalDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Capital Stock and Share-Based Compensation - Stock Options Issued and Outstanding (Parenthetical) (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>86</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="novt-20161231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R87.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>100870 - Disclosure - Capital Stock and Share-Based Compensation - Estimated Fair Value of Stock Options Using the Black-Scholes Valuation Model (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.novanta.com/20161231/taxonomy/role/DisclosureCapitalStockAndShareBasedCompensationEstimatedFairValueOfStockOptionsUsingBlackScholesValuationModelDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Capital Stock and Share-Based Compensation - Estimated Fair Value of Stock Options Using the Black-Scholes Valuation Model (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>87</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="novt-20161231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R88.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>100880 - Disclosure - Capital Stock and Share-Based Compensation - Estimated Fair Value of Stock Options Using the Black-Scholes Valuation Model (Parenthetical) (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.novanta.com/20161231/taxonomy/role/DisclosureCapitalStockAndShareBasedCompensationEstimatedFairValueOfStockOptionsUsingBlackScholesValuationModelParentheticalDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Capital Stock and Share-Based Compensation - Estimated Fair Value of Stock Options Using the Black-Scholes Valuation Model (Parenthetical) (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>88</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="novt-20161231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R89.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>100890 - Disclosure - Net Periodic Pension Cost (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.novanta.com/20161231/taxonomy/role/DisclosureNetPeriodicPensionCostDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Net Periodic Pension Cost (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>89</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="novt-20161231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R90.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>100900 - Disclosure - Actuarial Assumptions used to Compute Net Periodic Pension Cost (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.novanta.com/20161231/taxonomy/role/DisclosureActuarialAssumptionsUsedToComputeNetPeriodicPensionCostDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Actuarial Assumptions used to Compute Net Periodic Pension Cost (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>90</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="novt-20161231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R91.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>100910 - Disclosure - Actuarial Assumptions used to Compute Benefit Obligations (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.novanta.com/20161231/taxonomy/role/DisclosureActuarialAssumptionsUsedToComputeBenefitObligationsDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Actuarial Assumptions used to Compute Benefit Obligations (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>91</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="novt-20161231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R92.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>100920 - Disclosure - Reconciliation of Benefit Obligations and Plan Assets of U.K. Plan (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.novanta.com/20161231/taxonomy/role/DisclosureReconciliationOfBenefitObligationsAndPlanAssetsOfUKPlanDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Reconciliation of Benefit Obligations and Plan Assets of U.K. Plan (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>92</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="novt-20161231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R93.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>100930 - Disclosure - Expected Future Benefit Payments (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.novanta.com/20161231/taxonomy/role/DisclosureExpectedFutureBenefitPaymentsDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Expected Future Benefit Payments (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>93</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="novt-20161231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R94.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>100940 - Disclosure - Employee Benefit Plans - Additional Information (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.novanta.com/20161231/taxonomy/role/DisclosureEmployeeBenefitPlansAdditionalInformationDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Employee Benefit Plans - Additional Information (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>94</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="novt-20161231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R95.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>100950 - Disclosure - Summary of Fair Value of Plan Assets by Asset Category (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.novanta.com/20161231/taxonomy/role/DisclosureSummaryOfFairValueOfPlanAssetsByAssetCategoryDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Summary of Fair Value of Plan Assets by Asset Category (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>95</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="novt-20161231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R96.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>100960 - Disclosure - Summary of Fair Value of Plan Assets by Asset Category (Parenthetical) (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.novanta.com/20161231/taxonomy/role/DisclosureSummaryOfFairValueOfPlanAssetsByAssetCategoryParentheticalDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Summary of Fair Value of Plan Assets by Asset Category (Parenthetical) (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>96</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="novt-20161231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R97.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>100970 - Disclosure - Components of Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.novanta.com/20161231/taxonomy/role/DisclosureComponentsOfIncomeLossFromContinuingOperationsDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Components of Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>97</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="novt-20161231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R98.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>100980 - Disclosure - Components of Income Tax Provision (Benefit) (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.novanta.com/20161231/taxonomy/role/DisclosureComponentsOfIncomeTaxProvisionBenefitDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Components of Income Tax Provision (Benefit) (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>98</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="novt-20161231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R99.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>100990 - Disclosure - Reconciliation of Statutory Canadian Tax rate to Effective Tax Rate (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.novanta.com/20161231/taxonomy/role/DisclosureReconciliationOfStatutoryCanadianTaxRateToEffectiveTaxRateDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Reconciliation of Statutory Canadian Tax rate to Effective Tax Rate (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>99</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="novt-20161231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R100.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>101000 - Disclosure - Significant Components of Deferred Tax Assets and Liabilities (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.novanta.com/20161231/taxonomy/role/DisclosureSignificantComponentsOfDeferredTaxAssetsAndLiabilitiesDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Significant Components of Deferred Tax Assets and Liabilities (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>100</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="novt-20161231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R101.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>101010 - Disclosure - Income Taxes - Additional Information (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.novanta.com/20161231/taxonomy/role/DisclosureIncomeTaxesAdditionalInformationDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Income Taxes - Additional Information (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>101</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="novt-20161231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R102.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>101020 - Disclosure - Reconciliation of Total Amounts of Unrecognized Tax Benefits (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.novanta.com/20161231/taxonomy/role/DisclosureReconciliationOfTotalAmountsOfUnrecognizedTaxBenefitsDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Reconciliation of Total Amounts of Unrecognized Tax Benefits (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>102</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="novt-20161231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R103.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>101030 - Disclosure - Income Tax Returns to be Reviewed (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.novanta.com/20161231/taxonomy/role/DisclosureIncomeTaxReturnsToBeReviewedDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Income Tax Returns to be Reviewed (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>103</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="novt-20161231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R104.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>101040 - Disclosure - Schedule of Restructuring, Acquisition and Divestiture Related Costs (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.novanta.com/20161231/taxonomy/role/DisclosureScheduleOfRestructuringAcquisitionAndDivestitureRelatedCostsDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Schedule of Restructuring, Acquisition and Divestiture Related Costs (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>104</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="novt-20161231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R105.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>101050 - Disclosure - Restructuring, Acquisition and Divestiture Related Costs - Additional Information (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.novanta.com/20161231/taxonomy/role/DisclosureRestructuringAcquisitionAndDivestitureRelatedCostsAdditionalInformationDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Restructuring, Acquisition and Divestiture Related Costs - Additional Information (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>105</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="novt-20161231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R106.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>101060 - Disclosure - Summary of Restructuring Costs for Each Segment and Unallocated Corporate Costs (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.novanta.com/20161231/taxonomy/role/DisclosureSummaryOfRestructuringCostsForEachSegmentAndUnallocatedCorporateCostsDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Summary of Restructuring Costs for Each Segment and Unallocated Corporate Costs (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>106</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="novt-20161231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R107.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>101070 - Disclosure - Summary of Accrual Activities by Components Related to Company's Restructuring Charges (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.novanta.com/20161231/taxonomy/role/DisclosureSummaryOfAccrualActivitiesByComponentsRelatedToCompanySRestructuringChargesDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Summary of Accrual Activities by Components Related to Company's Restructuring Charges (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>107</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="novt-20161231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R108.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>101080 - Disclosure - Summary of Accrual Activities by Components Related to Company's Restructuring Charges (Parenthetical) (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.novanta.com/20161231/taxonomy/role/DisclosureSummaryOfAccrualActivitiesByComponentsRelatedToCompanySRestructuringChargesParentheticalDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Summary of Accrual Activities by Components Related to Company's Restructuring Charges (Parenthetical) (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>108</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="novt-20161231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R109.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>101090 - Disclosure - Commitments and Contingencies - Additional Information (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.novanta.com/20161231/taxonomy/role/DisclosureCommitmentsAndContingenciesAdditionalInformationDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Commitments and Contingencies - Additional Information (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>109</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="novt-20161231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R110.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>101100 - Disclosure - Commitments and Contingencies - Schedule of Gross Assets under Capital Lease (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.novanta.com/20161231/taxonomy/role/DisclosureCommitmentsAndContingenciesScheduleOfGrossAssetsUnderCapitalLeaseDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Commitments and Contingencies - Schedule of Gross Assets under Capital Lease (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>110</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="novt-20161231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R111.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>101110 - Disclosure - Future Minimum Lease Payments under Operating and Capital Leases (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.novanta.com/20161231/taxonomy/role/DisclosureFutureMinimumLeasePaymentsUnderOperatingAndCapitalLeasesDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Future Minimum Lease Payments under Operating and Capital Leases (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>111</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="novt-20161231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R112.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>101120 - Disclosure - Future Minimum Lease Payments under Operating and Capital Leases (Parenthetical) (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.novanta.com/20161231/taxonomy/role/DisclosureFutureMinimumLeasePaymentsUnderOperatingAndCapitalLeasesParentheticalDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Future Minimum Lease Payments under Operating and Capital Leases (Parenthetical) (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>112</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="novt-20161231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R113.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>101130 - Disclosure - Segment Information - Additional Information (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.novanta.com/20161231/taxonomy/role/DisclosureSegmentInformationAdditionalInformationDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Segment Information - Additional Information (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>113</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="novt-20161231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R114.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>101140 - Disclosure - Revenue, Gross Profit and Operating Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations by Reportable Segment (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.novanta.com/20161231/taxonomy/role/DisclosureRevenueGrossProfitAndOperatingIncomeLossFromContinuingOperationsByReportableSegmentDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Revenue, Gross Profit and Operating Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations by Reportable Segment (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>114</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="novt-20161231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R115.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>101150 - Disclosure - Depreciation and Amortization by Reportable Segments (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.novanta.com/20161231/taxonomy/role/DisclosureDepreciationAndAmortizationByReportableSegmentsDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Depreciation and Amortization by Reportable Segments (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>115</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="novt-20161231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R116.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>101160 - Disclosure - Accounts Receivable and Inventory by Reportable Segments (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.novanta.com/20161231/taxonomy/role/DisclosureAccountsReceivableAndInventoryByReportableSegmentsDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Accounts Receivable and Inventory by Reportable Segments (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>116</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="novt-20161231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R117.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>101170 - Disclosure - Total Assets by Reportable Segments (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.novanta.com/20161231/taxonomy/role/DisclosureTotalAssetsByReportableSegmentsDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Total Assets by Reportable Segments (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>117</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="novt-20161231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R118.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>101180 - Disclosure - Schedule of Geographic Revenue (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.novanta.com/20161231/taxonomy/role/DisclosureScheduleOfGeographicRevenueDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Schedule of Geographic Revenue (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>118</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="novt-20161231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R119.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>101190 - Disclosure - Summary of Long-lived Assets (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.novanta.com/20161231/taxonomy/role/DisclosureSummaryOfLongLivedAssetsDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Summary of Long-lived Assets (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>119</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="novt-20161231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R120.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>101200 - Disclosure - Subsequent Events - Additional Information (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.novanta.com/20161231/taxonomy/role/DisclosureSubsequentEventsAdditionalInformationDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Subsequent Events - Additional Information (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>120</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <LongName>All Reports</LongName>
      <ReportType>Book</ReportType>
      <ShortName>All Reports</ShortName>
    </Report>
  </MyReports>
  <InputFiles>
    <File>novt-20161231.xml</File>
    <File>novt-20161231.xsd</File>
    <File>novt-20161231_cal.xml</File>
    <File>novt-20161231_def.xml</File>
    <File>novt-20161231_lab.xml</File>
    <File>novt-20161231_pre.xml</File>
  </InputFiles>
  <SupplementalFiles/>
  <BaseTaxonomies/>
  <HasPresentationLinkbase>true</HasPresentationLinkbase>
  <HasCalculationLinkbase>true</HasCalculationLinkbase>
</FilingSummary>
