Accumulated Amortization Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Accumulated Amortization Award Timing Predetermined Award Timing Predetermined [Flag] Indefinite-lived Intangible Assets [Axis] Indefinite-Lived Intangible Assets [Axis] Entity File Number Entity File Number Capital in Excess of Par Value Additional Paid-in Capital [Member] Excess tax benefit related to stock-based compensation Effective Income Tax Rate Reconciliation, Federal Portion, Share-based Compensation, Excess Tax Benefit, Amount Effective Income Tax Rate Reconciliation, Federal Portion, Share-based Compensation, Excess Tax Benefit, Amount Weighted Average Remaining Lease Term (in years): Weighted Average Remaining Lease Term [Abstract] Weighted Average Remaining Lease Term [Abstract] Tabular List, Table Tabular List [Table Text Block] Recent Accounting Pronouncements New Accounting Pronouncements, Policy [Policy Text Block] Banker's acceptance drafts Bankers Acceptance Drafts, Fair Value Disclosure This element represents the portion of the balance sheet assertion valued at fair value by the entity whether such amount is presented as a separate caption or as a parenthetical disclosure. Additionally, this element may be used in connection with the fair value disclosures required in the footnote disclosures to the financial statements. The element may be used in both the balance sheet and disclosure in the same submission. Amounts receivable from customers on short-term negotiable time drafts drawn on and accepted by the institution (also known as banker's acceptance transactions) that are outstanding on the reporting date. Number of subsidiaries in which remaining interest was acquired Number Of Subsidiaries, Remaining Interest Acquired Number Of Subsidiaries, Remaining Interest Acquired Certain Capital Contracts Certain Capital Contracts [Member] Certain Capital Contracts Carrying value and fair value of debt obligations, excluding lease obligations Fair Value, by Balance Sheet Grouping [Table Text Block] Post closing adjustments Business Combination, Consideration Transferred, Liabilities Incurred Research and development tax credits Effective Income Tax Rate Reconciliation, Tax Credit, Research, Amount Undistributed earnings of foreign subsidiaries Undistributed Earnings of Foreign Subsidiaries Goodwill [Line Items] Goodwill [Line Items] Measurement Basis [Axis] Measurement Basis [Axis] Adjustment to Compensation: Adjustment to Compensation [Axis] Named Executive Officers, Footnote Named Executive Officers, Footnote [Text Block] Purchase Price: Business Combination, Consideration Transferred [Abstract] Key Knife, Inc. Key Knife, Inc. [Member] Key Knife, Inc. Stock issued during period under ESOP (in shares) Stock Issued During Period, Shares, Employee Stock Purchase Plans Due from bankers acceptances drafts Due from Customer Acceptances Reconciliation of cash and cash equivalents Schedule of Cash and Cash Equivalents [Table Text Block] Current provision Current Income Tax Expense (Benefit) Adjustment to Compensation, Amount Adjustment to Compensation Amount Revenue, remaining performance obligation, percent Revenue, Remaining Performance Obligation, Percentage Other assets Increase (Decrease) in Other Operating Assets Principles of Consolidation Consolidation, Policy [Policy Text Block] Stock-based compensation expense Share-Based Payment Arrangement, Noncash Expense Restructuring Incurred Cost Statement Of Income Or Comprehensive Income Extensible Enumeration Not Disclosed Flag Restructuring Incurred Cost Statement Of Income Or Comprehensive Income Extensible Enumeration Not Disclosed Flag Restructuring Incurred Cost Statement Of Income Or Comprehensive Income Extensible Enumeration Not Disclosed Flag Revenue and Operating Income Business Acquisition, Revenue And Earnings (Loss) Of Acquiree Since Acquisition Date [Table Text Block] Business Acquisition, Revenue And Earnings (Loss) Of Acquiree Since Acquisition Date Employee Stock Option Share-Based Payment Arrangement, Option [Member] Property, Plant and Equipment [Table] Property, Plant and Equipment [Table] Discount to market under the ESOP Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP), Discount to Market The percentage discount that share shares are purchased from the then current market price. Finance Lease, Liability, Noncurrent, Statement of Financial Position [Extensible Enumeration] Finance Lease, Liability, Noncurrent, Statement of Financial Position [Extensible Enumeration] Percent Effective Income Tax Rate Reconciliation, Percent [Abstract] Antidilutive Securities [Axis] Antidilutive Securities [Axis] Impairment loss Asset Impairment Charges Total Kadant Stockholders' Equity Equity, Attributable to Parent Insider Trading Policies and Procedures [Line Items] Property, plant and equipment Property, Plant and Equipment [Table Text Block] Common stock, authorized (in shares) Common Stock, Shares Authorized Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity Liabilities and Equity [Abstract] State and local jurisdiction State and Local Jurisdiction [Member] Cover [Abstract] Cover [Abstract] Money market funds and time deposits Cash and Cash Equivalents, Fair Value Disclosure Portion at Fair Value Measurement Portion at Fair Value Measurement [Member] Maximum Maximum [Member] Net Income Attributable to Noncontrolling Interests Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests Net Income (Loss) Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest Pension and other post-retirement liability adjustments, net, tax Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Defined Benefit Plan, Gain (Loss) Arising During Period, Tax Net Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Net Currency Translation Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Accumulated Foreign Currency Translation Gain (Loss) Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Accumulated Foreign Currency Translation Gain (Loss) Non-PEO NEO Average Total Compensation Amount Non-PEO NEO Average Total Compensation Amount Debt Instrument [Line Items] Debt Instrument [Line Items] Schedule of Share-based Compensation Arrangements by Share-based Payment Award [Table] Schedule of Share-Based Compensation Arrangements by Share-Based Payment Award [Table] Adjustment to Non-PEO NEO Compensation Footnote Adjustment to Non-PEO NEO Compensation Footnote [Text Block] Inventory revalued 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Block] Fair value of noncontrolling interests acquired Noncash or Part Noncash Acquisition, Noncontrolling Interest Acquired Noncash or Part Noncash Acquisition, Noncontrolling Interest Acquired Internal revenue service (IRS) Internal Revenue Service (IRS) [Member] Current Provision Current Income Tax Expense (Benefit), Continuing Operations [Abstract] Increase of deferred tax asset valuation allowance Valuation Allowance, Deferred Tax Asset, Increase (Decrease), Amount Dividends or Other Earnings Paid on Equity Awards not Otherwise Reflected in Total Compensation for Covered Year Dividends or Other Earnings Paid on Equity Awards not Otherwise Reflected in Total Compensation for Covered Year [Member] Intangible Assets, Net Intangible Assets, Finite-Lived, Policy [Policy Text Block] Effective interest rate, up to Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Effective Percentage Units Share-Based Compensation Arrangement by Share-Based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Nonvested, 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Deferred gain (loss) on cash flow hedges (net of tax of $0, $13, and $(32)) Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Cash Flow Hedge, Gain (Loss), after Reclassification and Tax Provision for unremitted foreign earnings Income Tax Expense (Benefit), Estimated Repatriation Income Tax Expense (Benefit), Estimated Repatriation Other Costs, Net Restructuring and Related Activities Disclosure [Text Block] Compensation Actually Paid vs. Company Selected Measure Compensation Actually Paid vs. Company Selected Measure [Text Block] Defined Benefit Plans and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans Disclosures [Table] Defined Benefit Plans and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans Disclosures [Table] Acquisitions (Note 2) Goodwill, Acquired During Period Less: Accumulated Depreciation and Amortization Property, Plant, and Equipment and Finance Lease Right-of-Use Asset, Accumulated Depreciation and Amortization Acquisitions, net of cash acquired (Note 2) Payments to acquire businesses, net of cash acquired Payments to Acquire Businesses, Net of Cash Acquired U.S. Federal Income Tax Paid, Federal, after Refund Received All Trading Arrangements All Trading Arrangements [Member] Equity Awards Adjustments, Footnote Equity Awards Adjustments, Footnote [Text Block] Total Shareholder Return Vs Peer Group Total Shareholder Return Vs Peer Group [Text Block] Commitments and Contingencies Commitments and Contingencies, Policy [Policy Text Block] Other Effective Income Tax Rate Reconciliation, Other Adjustments, Amount Unvested RSUs (in shares) Unvested RSUs at beginning of year (in shares) Unvested RSU's at end of year (in shares) Share-Based Compensation Arrangement by Share-Based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Nonvested, Number Fiscal Year Fiscal Year [Policy Text Block] Disclosure of accounting policy regarding the determination of the fiscal year end date. 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Business Combination, Recognized Asset Acquired, Other Asset, Current Equity Valuation Assumption Difference, Footnote Equity Valuation Assumption Difference, Footnote [Text Block] PEO Total Compensation Amount PEO Total Compensation Amount Depreciation expense Depreciation Long-term Debt, Type [Axis] Long-Term Debt, Type [Axis] 2029 Finance Lease, Liability, to be Paid, Year Four Equity Components [Axis] Equity Components [Axis] Equity Components [Axis] Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items] Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items] Non-Rule 10b5-1 Arrangement Adopted Non-Rule 10b5-1 Arrangement Adopted [Flag] Acquisitions Standard Product Warranty Accrual, Increase from Business Combination Number of reportable segments Number of Reportable Segments Deferred Tax Asset Components of Deferred Tax Assets [Abstract] Land clean up costs Other Restructuring Costs Fair Value of Contingent Consideration (Note 10) Business Combination, Consideration Transferred, Contingent Consideration, Fair Value Disclosure Business Combination, Consideration Transferred, Contingent Consideration, Fair Value Disclosure Entity Address, State or Province Entity Address, State or Province Financing cash flows from finance leases Finance Lease, Principal Payments Antidilutive Security, Excluded EPS Calculation [Table] Antidilutive Security, Excluded EPS Calculation [Table] Total Current Liabilities Liabilities, Current Inventory basis difference Deferred Tax Assets, Inventory Individual: Individual [Axis] Cost recognized, defined contribution plan Defined Contribution Plan, Cost Property, plant and equipment, gross Property, Plant, and Equipment and Finance Lease Right-of-Use Asset, before Accumulated Depreciation and Amortization Income Tax Jurisdiction [Domain] Income Tax Jurisdiction [Domain] Finance leases Right-of-Use Asset Obtained in Exchange for Finance Lease Liability Dividends paid Payments of Ordinary Dividends, Common Stock Document Annual Report Document Annual Report Cash Paid for Amounts Included in the Measurement of Lease Liabilities: Cash Paid for Amounts Included in the Measurement of Lease Liabilities [Abstract] Cash Paid for Amounts Included in the Measurement of Lease Liabilities Forgone Recovery, Explanation of Impracticability Forgone Recovery, Explanation of Impracticability [Text Block] Entity Interactive Data Current Entity Interactive Data Current Audit Information [Abstract] Audit Information Nondeductible Compensation Effective Income Tax Rate Reconciliation, Nondeductible Expense, Share-Based Payment Arrangement, Amount Post-Closing Adjustments Business Combination, Consideration Transferred, Liabilities Incurred, Net Business Combination, Consideration Transferred, Liabilities Incurred, Net Disaggregation of Revenue [Table] Disaggregation of Revenue [Table] Net operating loss carryforwards Deferred Tax Assets, Operating Loss Carryforwards Property, Plant and Equipment, Type [Axis] Long-Lived Tangible Asset [Axis] Maximum amount of unrestricted cash Line Of Credit Facility Maximum Unrestricted Cash Line Of Credit Facility Maximum Unrestricted Cash Ownership [Domain] Ownership [Domain] 2027 Finance Lease, Liability, to be Paid, Year Two ROU assets accumulated amortization Finance Lease, Right-of-Use Asset, Accumulated Amortization Goodwill Goodwill and Intangible Assets, Goodwill, Policy [Policy Text Block] Banker's acceptances drafts Bank Acceptances Executed Fair value of contingent consideration acquired Noncash or Part Noncash Acquisition, Contingent Consideration Noncash or Part Noncash Acquisition, Contingent Consideration Other Assets Other Assets, Noncurrent Entity Central Index Key Entity Central Index Key Currency Translation Indefinite-Lived Intangible Assets, Accumulated Foreign Currency Translation Gain (Loss) Indefinite-Lived Intangible Assets, Accumulated Foreign Currency Translation Gain (Loss) PEO Name PEO Name Schedule of repayments of long-term debt Schedule of Maturities of Long-Term Debt [Table Text Block] Prior Year End Fair Value of Equity Awards Granted in Any Prior Year that Fail to Meet Applicable Vesting Conditions During Covered Year Prior Year End Fair Value of Equity Awards Granted in Any Prior Year that Fail to Meet Applicable Vesting Conditions During Covered Year [Member] Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items] Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items] Outstanding Aggregate Erroneous Compensation Amount Outstanding Aggregate Erroneous Compensation Amount Employee Benefit Plans Employee Benefit Plans [Text Block] The entire disclosure of employee benefit plans and stock-based compensation plans. Beginning Balance Measured at Inception Ending Balance Measured at Inception Fair Value, Measurement with Unobservable Inputs Reconciliation, Recurring Basis, Liability Value Schedule of Segment Reporting Information, by Segment [Table] Schedule of Segment Reporting Information, by Segment [Table] Dynamic Sealing Technologies LLC And Affiliates ("DSTI") Dynamic Sealing Technologies LLC And Affiliates ("DSTI") [Member] Dynamic Sealing Technologies LLC And Affiliates ("DSTI") Work in Process Inventory, Work in Process, Net of Reserves Exercise Price Award Exercise Price Entity Filer Category Entity Filer Category U.S. Federal Statutory Tax Rate Effective Income Tax Rate Reconciliation, at Federal Statutory Income Tax Rate, Percent Subsequent Event Type [Axis] Subsequent Event Type [Axis] ROU Assets Obtained in Exchange for Lease Obligations: Right of Use Assets Obtained in Exchange for Lease Obligations [Abstract] Right of Use Assets Obtained in Exchange for Lease Obligations Facility and Other Closure Costs Facility And Other Closure Costs [Member] Facility And Other Closure Costs 2028 Finite-Lived Intangible Asset, Expected Amortization, Year Three ROU assets Deferred Tax Liabilities, Right-of-Use Assets Deferred Tax Liabilities, Right-of-Use Assets Gross Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Gross Vesting Date Fair Value of Equity Awards Granted and Vested in Covered Year Vesting Date Fair Value of Equity Awards Granted and Vested in Covered Year [Member] Schedule of Acquired Indefinite-lived Intangible Assets by Major Class [Table] Schedule of Acquired Indefinite-Lived Intangible Assets by Major Class [Table] Entity Address, Address Line One Entity Address, Address Line One Research and development expenses Research and Development Expense Accumulated Other Comprehensive Items Total AOCI Attributable to Parent [Member] Accounts receivable, allowances Accounts Receivable, Allowance for Credit Loss, Current Issuance of Company common stock upon vesting of RSUs Stock Issued Business Combination, Asset Acquisition, Transaction between Entities under Common Control, and Joint Venture Formation [Abstract] Business Combination, Pro Forma Information, Nonrecurring Adjustment [Domain] Business Combination, Pro Forma Information, Nonrecurring Adjustment [Domain] Ownership [Axis] Ownership [Axis] Restructuring and impairment costs Restructuring, Settlement and Impairment Provisions Fair Value as of Grant Date Award Grant Date Fair Value Operating loss carryforwards Operating Loss Carryforwards Changes in Unrecognized Tax Benefits Effective Income Tax Rate Reconciliation, Tax Contingency, Amount Effect of Restricted Stock Units and Employee Stock Purchase Plan Shares Incremental Common Shares Attributable to Dilutive Effect of Share-Based Payment Arrangements Granted (in shares) Share-Based Compensation Arrangement by Share-Based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Grants in Period Title and Position [Domain] Title and Position [Domain] Total Costs and Operating Expenses Costs and Expenses Forfeited (in shares) Share-Based Compensation Arrangement by Share-Based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Forfeited in Period Compensation cost not yet recognized Share-Based Payment Arrangement, Nonvested Award, Cost Not yet Recognized, Amount Goodwill, expected deductible term (in years) Business Acquisition, Intangible Assets, Other Than Goodwill, Expected Tax Deductible Term Business Acquisition, Intangible Assets, Other Than Goodwill, Expected Tax Deductible Term Currency Translation Intangible Assets, Excluding Goodwill, Accumulated Foreign Currency Translation Gain (Loss) Intangible Assets, Excluding Goodwill, Accumulated Foreign Currency Translation Gain (Loss) Changed Peer Group, Footnote Changed Peer Group, Footnote [Text Block] 2027 Lessee, Operating Lease, Liability, to be Paid, Year Two Usage Standard Product Warranty Accrual, Decrease for Payments Adjustment To PEO Compensation, Footnote Adjustment To PEO Compensation, Footnote [Text Block] Finance Leases: Finance Leases [Abstract] Finance Leases [Abstract] Germany GERMANY Title Trading Arrangement, Individual Title Peer Group Total Shareholder Return Amount Peer Group Total Shareholder Return Amount Cash paid Cash Paid Payments to Acquire Businesses, Gross Non-PEO NEO Non-PEO NEO [Member] Outstanding letters of credit and bank guarantees Letters of Credit Outstanding, Amount Brazil BRAZIL Operating loss carryforwards, subject to expiration Deferred Tax Assets, Operating Loss Carryforwards, Subject to Expiration Accumulated Other Comprehensive Items [Line Items] Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items] Other Costs (Income) Other Costs (Income) Other Costs (Income) Other Other Intangible Assets [Member] Land Land [Member] Amortization of prior service cost, net Accumulated Defined Benefit Plans Adjustment, Net Prior Service Attributable to Parent [Member] Award Type [Domain] Award Type [Domain] 2026 Lessee, Operating Lease, Liability, to be Paid, Year One Noncontrolling interests Equity, Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest Equity Awards Adjustments Equity Awards Adjustments [Member] Other items, net Other Noncash Income (Expense) Pension Benefits Adjustments, Footnote Pension Benefits Adjustments, Footnote [Text Block] Other income Other Income Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items] Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items] Canada CANADA Compensation Amount Outstanding Recovery Compensation Amount Deferred Provision (Benefit) Deferred Income Tax Expense (Benefit), Continuing Operations [Abstract] Debt Instrument, Name [Domain] Debt Instrument, Name [Domain] Recovery of Erroneously Awarded Compensation Disclosure [Line Items] Fair Value Estimate of Fair Value Measurement [Member] Revenue recognized from contract liabilities Contract with Customer, Liability, Revenue Recognized China CHINA MNPI Disclosure Timed for Compensation Value MNPI Disclosure Timed for Compensation Value [Flag] Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax [Roll Forward] AOCI Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest, Net of Tax [Roll Forward] Foreign tax rate differential Effective Income Tax Rate Reconciliation, Foreign Income Tax Rate Differential, Percent Recognized an impairment charge non-cash Impairment, Long-Lived Asset, Held-for-Use, Non-Cash Impairment, Long-Lived Asset, Held-for-Use, Non-Cash Contingent consideration Business Combination, Contingent Consideration, Change in Contingent Consideration, Liability, Increase (Decrease) Documents Incorporated by Reference Documents Incorporated by Reference [Text Block] Finance Lease, Right-of-Use Asset, Statement of Financial Position [Extensible List] Finance Lease, Right-of-Use Asset, Statement of Financial Position [Extensible Enumeration] Accumulated other comprehensive items (Note 13) Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax Long-Term Obligations (Note 6) Long-Term Obligations 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[Axis] Minimum Minimum [Member] Uncommitted unsecured additional borrowing capacity Line of Credit Facility, Additional Borrowing Capacity The additional amount available over and above the maximum borrowing capacity under the credit facility. 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Statistical Measurement [Axis] Statistical Measurement [Axis] Finite-lived intangible assets acquired Finite-Lived Intangible Assets Acquired Finland FINLAND Aggregate Erroneous Compensation Amount Aggregate Erroneous Compensation Amount Tax withholding payments related to stock-based compensation Payment, Tax Withholding, Share-Based Payment Arrangement Peer Group Issuers, Footnote Peer Group Issuers, Footnote [Text Block] Finance Lease Cost: Finance Lease, Costs [Abstract] Finance Lease, Costs [Abstract] Current Liabilities: Liabilities, Current [Abstract] Amount of receivable settled by government Nontrade Receivables, Current, Net Of Present Value Discount Nontrade Receivables, Current, Net Of Present Value Discount Level 1 Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member] Accounts Payable Business Combination, Recognized Liability Assumed, Accounts Payable, Current Material Handling Material Handling Material Handling Systems [Member] Material Handling Systems [Member] Diluted (in dollars per share) Earnings Per Share, Diluted Other, tax credits Effective Income Tax Rate Reconciliation, Tax Credit, Other, Amount Accounts receivable, net of allowances of $5,149 and $4,403 Accounts Receivable, after Allowance for Credit Loss, Current Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Axis] Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Axis] Currency translation Fair Value, Measurement With Unobservable Inputs Reconciliation, Recurring Basis, Liability, Foreign Currency Translation Fair Value, Measurement With Unobservable Inputs Reconciliation, Recurring Basis, Liability, Foreign Currency Translation Fair Value, Liabilities Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Input Reconciliation [Line Items] Fair Value, Liabilities Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Input Reconciliation [Line Items] Treasury stock (in shares) Beginning balance, treasury (in shares) Ending balance, treasury (in shares) Treasury Stock, Common, Shares State Income Tax Paid, State and Local, after Refund Received Foreign, state, and alternative minimum tax credit carryforwards Deferred Tax Assets, Tax Credit Carryforwards, Foreign Including Alternative Minimum Tax Credits Amount before allocation of valuation allowances of deferred tax asset attributable to deductible foreign tax credit carryforwards and alternative minimum tax credit carryforwards. 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