Income Per Share - Basis for Income Per Share Computations (Details) - USD ($) shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended			6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2019	Jul. 01, 2018	Apr. 01, 2018	Jun. 30, 2019	Jul. 01, 2018
Numerator:
Net income	$ 42,290	$ 28,792		$ 67,468	$ 31,362
Less: Net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests	90	(77)		66	(125)
Less: Preferred stock dividends	8,733	8,733	$ 8,700	17,466	17,466
Net income attributable to Belden common stockholders	$ 33,467	$ 20,136		$ 49,936	$ 14,021
Denominator:
Weighted average shares outstanding, basic (in shares)	39,389	40,735		39,405	41,184
Effect of dilutive common stock equivalents (in shares)	222	239		230	308
Weighted average shares outstanding, diluted (in shares)	39,611	40,974		39,635	41,492