Income (loss) per Share - Basis for Income Per Share Computations (Details) - USD ($) shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Oct. 01, 2023	Oct. 02, 2022	Oct. 01, 2023	Oct. 02, 2022
Numerator:
Income from continuing operations	$ 72,327	$ 103,687	$ 204,047	$ 206,425
Less: Net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interest	(20)	27	(245)	111
Income from continuing operations attributable to Belden stockholders	72,347	103,660	204,292	206,314
Add: Loss from discontinued operations, net of tax	0	0	0	(3,685)
Add: Loss on disposal of discontinued operations, net of tax	0	(5,366)	0	(9,933)
Net income attributable to Belden stockholders	$ 72,347	$ 98,294	$ 204,292	$ 192,696
Denominator:
Weighted average shares outstanding, basic (in shares)	42,053	43,466	42,460	44,181
Effect of dilutive common stock equivalents (in shares)	572	597	669	629
Weighted average shares outstanding, diluted (in shares)	42,625	44,063	43,129	44,810