Condensed Consolidated Statement of Income (Unaudited) - USD ($) shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended	6 Months Ended
Jun. 29, 2019	Jun. 30, 2018	Jun. 29, 2019	Jun. 30, 2018
Income Statement [Abstract]
Revenues (Notes 1 and 12)	$ 177,165	$ 154,913	$ 348,481	$ 304,106
Costs and Operating Expenses:
Cost of revenues	102,794	86,749	203,595	169,863
Selling, general, and administrative expenses	48,467	45,132	97,786	90,908
Research and development expenses	2,762	2,728	5,383	5,597
Restructuring costs (Note 13)	0	569	0	1,339
Total Costs and Operating Expenses	154,023	135,178	306,764	267,707
Operating Income	23,142	19,735	41,717	36,399
Interest Income	59	122	115	305
Interest Expense	(3,573)	(1,850)	(7,077)	(3,582)
Other Expense, Net (Note 7)	(99)	(245)	(198)	(491)
Income Before Provision for Income Taxes	19,529	17,762	34,557	32,631
Provision for Income Taxes (Note 4)	3,128	5,271	7,091	9,132
Net Income	16,401	12,491	27,466	23,499
Net Income Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest	(97)	(142)	(262)	(292)
Net Income Attributable to Kadant	$ 16,304	$ 12,349	$ 27,204	$ 23,207
Earnings per Share Attributable to Kadant (Note 3):
Basic (in dollars per share)	$ 1.46	$ 1.11	$ 2.44	$ 2.10
Diluted (in dollars per share)	$ 1.42	$ 1.08	$ 2.38	$ 2.04
Weighted Average Shares (Note 3):
Basic (in shares)	11,194	11,092	11,164	11,067
Diluted (in shares)	11,448	11,400	11,416	11,371

The aggregate costs related to goods produced and sold and services rendered by an entity during the reporting period. This excludes costs incurred during the reporting period related to financial services rendered and other revenue generating activities.

Name:	us-gaap_CostOfGoodsAndServicesSold
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Total costs of sales and operating expenses for the period.