Income Per Share - Basis for Income Per Share Computations (Details) - USD ($) shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2019	Apr. 01, 2018
Numerator:
Net income	$ 25,178	$ 2,570
Less: Net loss attributable to noncontrolling interest	(24)	(48)
Less: Preferred stock dividends	8,733	8,733
Net income (loss) attributable to Belden common stockholders	$ 16,469	$ (6,115)
Denominator:
Weighted average shares outstanding, basic (in shares)	39,420	41,633
Effect of dilutive common stock equivalents (in shares)	240	0
Weighted average shares outstanding, diluted (in shares)	39,660	41,633

Amount after tax of income (loss) from continuing operations including portion attributable to the noncontrolling interest.

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Amount of Net Income (Loss) attributable to noncontrolling interest.

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Amount, after deduction of tax, noncontrolling interests, dividends on preferred stock and participating securities; of income (loss) available to common shareholders.

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The amount of preferred stock dividends that is an adjustment to net income apportioned to common stockholders.

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The sum of dilutive potential common shares or units used in the calculation of the diluted per-share or per-unit computation.

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