BUSINESS COMBINATION - Pro forma disclosure (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
EZchip
Business Acquisition, Pro Forma Information, Nonrecurring Adjustment [Line Items]
Revenues	$ 867,422	$ 769,290
Net income	$ 40,288	$ 36,130
Net income per share — basic (in USD per share)	$ 0.82	$ 0.77
Net income per share — diluted (in USD per share)	$ 0.80	$ 0.74
Acquisition-related Costs | Mellanox Technologies, LTD.
Business Acquisition, Pro Forma Information, Nonrecurring Adjustment [Line Items]
Net income (loss)	$ 8,300
Acquisition-related Costs | EZchip
Business Acquisition, Pro Forma Information, Nonrecurring Adjustment [Line Items]
Net income (loss)	7,000
Acquisition-related Costs | EZchip
Business Acquisition, Pro Forma Information, Nonrecurring Adjustment [Line Items]
Net income (loss)	15,300	$ (15,300)
Fair Value Adjustment to Inventory | EZchip
Business Acquisition, Pro Forma Information, Nonrecurring Adjustment [Line Items]
Net income (loss)	13,000	(56,200)
Deferred Compensation, Share-based Payments | EZchip
Business Acquisition, Pro Forma Information, Nonrecurring Adjustment [Line Items]
Net income (loss)	$ 4,800
Interest Expense | EZchip
Business Acquisition, Pro Forma Information, Nonrecurring Adjustment [Line Items]
Net income (loss)		$ (7,600)