Document And Entity Information	3 Months Ended
	Apr. 01, 2012	May 04, 2012
Document And Entity Information [Abstract]
Entity Registrant Name	NETGEAR, INC
Entity Central Index Key	0001122904
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--12-31
Entity Filer Category	Large Accelerated Filer
Document Type	10-Q
Document Period End Date	Apr. 01, 2012
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2012
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q1
Amendment Flag	false
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		37,978,883