Trading Arrangements, by Individual Trading Arrangements, by Individual [Table] Weighted Average Shares (Note 3) Weighted Average Number of Shares Outstanding, Diluted [Abstract] Trading Arrangement: Trading Arrangement [Axis] Maximum Maximum [Member] Portion at Fair Value Measurement Portion at Fair Value Measurement [Member] Statistical Measurement [Domain] Statistical Measurement [Domain] Title of 12(b) Security Title of 12(b) Security Subsequent Event Subsequent Event [Member] Carrying Value Reported Value Measurement [Member] Document Fiscal Year Focus Document Fiscal Year Focus Acquisition costs Business Combination, Acquisition-Related Cost, Expense Revenue, remaining performance obligation, expected timing of satisfaction, period Revenue, Remaining Performance Obligation, Expected Timing of Satisfaction, Period Adjustment to Compensation, Amount Adjustment to Compensation Amount Segment Reporting [Abstract] Segment Reporting [Abstract] Common stock, $.01 par value, 150,000,000 shares authorized; 14,624,159 shares issued Common Stock, Value, Issued Tax withholding payments related to stock-based compensation Payment, Tax Withholding, Share-Based Payment Arrangement Accrued payroll and employee benefits Employee-related Liabilities, Current Revenue, Remaining Performance Obligation, Expected Timing of Satisfaction, Start Date [Axis] Revenue, Remaining Performance Obligation, Expected Timing of Satisfaction, Start Date [Axis] Share-Based Compensation Arrangement By Share-Based Award, Component [Domain] Share-Based Compensation Arrangement By Share-Based Award, Component [Domain] Share-Based Compensation Arrangement By Share-Based Award, Component [Domain] Over Time Transferred over Time [Member] 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. Revolving Credit Facility, due 2030 Revolving credit facility Line of Credit [Member] Restatement Determination Date Restatement Determination Date Certain Capital Contracts Certain Capital Contracts [Member] Certain Capital Contracts Contract assets Contract Assets Contract with Customer, Asset, after Allowance for Credit Loss Total Long-Term Debt and Lease Obligation, Including Current Maturities Amendment Flag Amendment Flag Goodwill [Line Items] Goodwill [Line Items] Current Liabilities: Liabilities, Current [Abstract] Provision for (recovery of) losses on accounts receivable Accounts Receivable, Credit Loss Expense (Reversal) Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding Property, Plant and Equipment Business Combination, Recognized Asset Acquired, Property, Plant, and Equipment Percentage of actual adjusted EBITDA Share-Based Compensation Arrangement By Share-Based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other Than Options, Percentage Of Actual 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and Cash Equivalents [Table Text Block] Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract] Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract] Pension and Other Post-Retirement Benefit Liability Adjustments Accumulated Defined Benefit Plans Adjustment Attributable to Parent [Member] Commitment fee percentage Line of Credit Facility, Commitment Fee Percentage Credit Facility [Domain] Credit Facility [Domain] Operating Activities Cash Provided by (Used in) Operating Activity, Including Discontinued Operation [Abstract] Compensation Amount Outstanding Recovery Compensation Amount Individual: Individual [Axis] Diluted (in shares) Diluted Weighted Average Shares Weighted Average Number of Shares Outstanding, Diluted Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items] Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items] Entity Emerging Growth Company Entity Emerging Growth Company Equity Valuation Assumption Difference, Footnote Equity Valuation Assumption Difference, Footnote [Text Block] Net assets acquired Business Combination, Recognized Asset 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Including Goodwill Vesting percentages Share-Based Compensation Arrangement by Share-Based Payment Award, Award Vesting Rights, Percentage Schedule of Share-based Compensation Arrangements by Share-based Payment Award [Table] Schedule of Share-Based Compensation Arrangements by Share-Based Payment Award [Table] Borrowing capacity available under committed portion Line of Credit Facility, Current Borrowing Capacity Gross Profit Gross Profit Other Other Intangible Assets [Member] Restricted Cash Cash and Cash Equivalents, Restricted Cash and Cash Equivalents, Policy [Policy Text Block] Award Timing Predetermined Award Timing Predetermined [Flag] Segment Operating Income Margin, Percent Segment Operating Income Margin, Percent Segment Operating Income Margin, Percent Treasury Stock Treasury Stock, Common [Member] Other Comprehensive Items: Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax, Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest [Abstract] Adjustment To PEO Compensation, Footnote 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Schedule of Basic and Diluted Earnings Per Share Schedule of Earnings Per Share, Basic and Diluted [Table Text Block] Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract] Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract] Debt Disclosure [Abstract] Debt Disclosure [Abstract] Debt Instrument, Name [Domain] Debt Instrument, Name [Domain] Business Segment Information Segment Reporting [Text Block] Minimum Minimum [Member] Dividends paid Payments of Ordinary Dividends, Common Stock Expiration Date Trading Arrangement Expiration Date Bank guarantees, expiration period (in months) Bank Guarantee, Expiration Period Bank Guarantee, Expiration Period Gross Profit Margin Gross Profit Margin, Percent Gross Profit Margin, Percent Balance at Beginning of Year Balance at End of Period Standard Product Warranty Accrual Schedule of Revenue Recognition Method and Disaggregation of Revenue by Product Type and Geography Disaggregation of Revenue [Table Text Block] Exchange Rate Effect on Cash, Cash Equivalents, and Restricted Cash Effect 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Service Cost [Member] Proceeds from issuance of Company common stock Proceeds from Issuance of Common Stock Common stock, authorized (in shares) Common Stock, Shares Authorized Schedule of Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share [Table] Antidilutive Security, Excluded EPS Calculation [Table] Accounts Receivable Business Combination, Recognized Asset Acquired, Receivable, Current Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) Items [Line Items] Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items] Performance Based Restricted Stock Units Performance Based Restricted Stock Units [Member] Performance Based Restricted Stock Units [Member] Other Comprehensive Items: Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax, Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest [Abstract] Exercise Price Award Exercise Price Investing Activities Cash Provided by (Used in) Investing Activity, Including Discontinued Operation [Abstract] Segment Reporting [Line Items] Segment Reporting [Line Items] Grant date fair value of shares granted Share-Based Compensation Arrangement By Share-Based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other Than Options, Grants In Period, Fair Value Share-Based Compensation Arrangement By Share-Based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other Than Options, Grants In Period, Fair Value Unrecognized compensation expense related to stock awards Share-Based Payment Arrangement, Nonvested Award, Cost Not yet Recognized, Amount Document Quarterly Report Document Quarterly Report Year-over-Year Change in Fair Value of Equity Awards Granted in Prior Years That are Outstanding and Unvested Year-over-Year Change in Fair Value of Equity Awards Granted in Prior Years That are Outstanding and Unvested [Member] Segment [Domain] Segments [Domain] Europe Europe [Member] Long-Term Obligations Debt Disclosure [Text Block] Awards Close in Time to MNPI Disclosures, Table Awards Close in Time to MNPI Disclosures [Table Text Block] Business Combination [Table] Business Combination [Table] Equity Component [Domain] Equity Component [Domain] PEO Actually Paid Compensation Amount PEO Actually Paid Compensation Amount Business Combination, Asset Acquisition, Transaction between Entities under Common Control, and Joint Venture Formation [Abstract] Total Costs and Operating Expenses Costs and Expenses Adoption Date Trading Arrangement Adoption Date Fixed interest rate (as a percentage) Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage Total Kadant Stockholders' Equity Equity, Attributable to Parent Maximum amount of unrestricted cash Line Of Credit Facility Maximum Unrestricted Cash Line Of Credit Facility Maximum Unrestricted Cash Other Assets Business Combination, Recognized Asset Acquired, Other Asset, Noncurrent Assets Assets [Abstract] Title Trading Arrangement, Individual Title Forgone Recovery due to Disqualification of Tax Benefits, Amount Forgone Recovery due to Disqualification of Tax Benefits, Amount Accounting Policies [Abstract] Accounting Policies [Abstract] Restatement does not require Recovery Restatement Does Not Require Recovery [Text Block] Share-Based Compensation Arrangement By Share-Based Payment Award, Component Three Share-Based Compensation Arrangement By Share-Based Payment Award, Component Three [Member] Share-Based Compensation Arrangement By Share-Based Payment Award, Component Three Insider Trading Policies and Procedures [Line Items] Finance Leases, due 2026 to 2029 Finance Lease, Liability Measurement period adjustments for 2025 acquisitions Goodwill, Measurement Period Adjustment Allowance for credit losses Accounts Receivable, Allowance for Credit Loss, Current Insider Trading Policies and Procedures Adopted Insider Trading Policies and Procedures Adopted [Flag] Currency Translation Indefinite-Lived Intangible Assets, Accumulated Foreign Currency Translation Gain (Loss) Indefinite-Lived Intangible Assets, Accumulated Foreign Currency Translation Gain (Loss) Fair Value, Liabilities Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Input Reconciliation, Calculation [Roll Forward] Fair Value, Liabilities Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Input Reconciliation, Calculation [Roll Forward] Selling, general, and administrative expenses Selling, General and Administrative Expense Repayment of short- and long-term obligations Repayments of Debt Business Combination [Domain] Business Combination [Domain] Customer deposits Increase (Decrease) in Contract with Customer, Liability, Customer Deposits Increase (Decrease) in Contract with Customer, Liability, Customer Deposits Commitments and Contingencies Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Text Block] Compensation Actually Paid vs. Net Income Compensation Actually Paid vs. Net Income [Text Block] Interest Expense, Net Interest Expense, Nonoperating, Net Interest Expense, Nonoperating, Net Amount of antidilutive securities excluded from computation of EPS (in shares) Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share, Amount Restricted Stock Units (RSUs) Restricted Stock Units (RSUs) [Member] Schedule of Changes in the Carrying Amount of Goodwill Goodwill [Table Text Block] Gross balance, beginning balance Gross balance, ending balance Goodwill, Gross Entity Central Index Key Entity Central Index Key Accumulated depreciation Property, Plant, and Equipment, Accumulated Depreciation, Depletion, and Amortization All Adjustments to Compensation All Adjustments to Compensation [Member] Corporate Segment Reporting, Reconciling Item, Corporate Nonsegment [Member] Business Combination [Axis] Business Combination [Axis] 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] Income Taxes Income Tax, Policy [Policy Text Block] Net cash provided by operating activities Cash Provided by (Used in) Operating Activity, Including Discontinued Operation Revenue, remaining performance obligation, percent Revenue, Remaining Performance Obligation, Percentage Other comprehensive items before reclassifications Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), before Reclassifications, Net of Tax Income Statement [Abstract] Income Statement [Abstract] Maximum consolidated leverage ratio upon material acquisition Maximum Consolidated Leverage Ratio Upon Material Acquisition Maximum Consolidated Leverage Ratio Upon Material Acquisition Document Transition Report Document Transition Report Fair Value Hierarchy and NAV [Axis] Fair Value Hierarchy and NAV [Axis] Operating Expenses: Operating Expenses [Abstract] Stock Appreciation Rights (SARs) Stock Appreciation Rights (SARs) [Member] Flow Control Flow Control [Member] Flow Control [Member] Intangible Asset, Finite-Lived, Acquired [Table] Intangible Asset, Finite-Lived, Acquired [Table] Debt instrument, basis spread on variable rate Debt Instrument, Basis Spread on Variable Rate Lead time for for certain capital contracts (up to) (in months) Revenue From Contract With Customer, Estimated Contract Completion Period Revenue From Contract With Customer, Estimated Contract Completion Period Other Current Assets Business Combination, Recognized Asset Acquired, Other Asset, Current City Area Code City Area Code Variable Rate [Domain] Variable Rate [Domain] Accumulated Other Comprehensive Items Total AOCI Attributable to Parent [Member] All Individuals All Individuals [Member] Subsequent Events Subsequent Events [Text Block] Debt obligations Debt Instrument, Fair Value Disclosure Name Forgone Recovery, Individual Name Finished Goods (includes $5,095 and $3,556 at customer locations) Inventory, Finished Goods, Net of Reserves Weighted average period (in years) Share-Based Payment Arrangement, Nonvested Award, Cost Not yet Recognized, Period for Recognition Litigation Commitments and Contingencies, Policy [Policy Text Block] Non-GAAP Measure Description Non-GAAP Measure Description [Text Block] Share-Based Compensation Arrangement By Share-Based Award, Component [Axis] Share-Based Compensation Arrangement By Share-Based Award, Component [Axis] Share-Based Compensation Arrangement By Share-Based Award, Component Statement [Line Items] Statement [Line Items] Customer deposits Contract With Customer, Liability, Current, Customer Deposits Contract With Customer, Liability, Current, Customer Deposits Total Assets Segment assets Assets Income Amounts Attributable to Parent, Disclosures [Abstract] Income Amounts Attributable to Parent, Disclosures [Abstract] Preferred stock, issued (in shares) Preferred Stock, Shares Issued Operating Segment Operating Segments [Member] Stock-Based Compensation Share-Based Payment Arrangement [Policy Text Block] Interest Expense Interest Expense, Nonoperating Total liabilities assumed Business Combination, Recognized Liability Assumed, Liability Stock-Based Compensation Share-Based Payment Arrangement [Text Block] Fair Value, Liabilities Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Input Reconciliation [Line Items] Fair Value, Liabilities Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Input Reconciliation [Line Items] Provision charged to expense Standard Product Warranty Accrual, Increase for Warranties Issued Currency Translation Intangible Assets, Excluding Goodwill, Accumulated Foreign Currency Translation Gain (Loss) Intangible Assets, Excluding Goodwill, Accumulated Foreign Currency Translation Gain (Loss) Other assets Increase (Decrease) in Other Operating Assets PEO PEO [Member] Industrial Processing Industrial Processing [Member] Industrial Processing [Member] Stock-based compensation expense Share-Based Payment Arrangement, Expense Measurement Basis [Axis] Measurement Basis [Axis] Other Long-Term Liabilities Other Liabilities, Noncurrent Goodwill (Note 1) Net balance, beginning balance Net balance, ending balance Goodwill Goodwill Inventories Business Combination, Recognized Asset Acquired, 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Equity [Roll Forward] Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward] Award Timing Disclosures [Line Items] Foreign Currency Translation Adjustment Accumulated Foreign Currency Adjustment Attributable to Parent [Member] Schedule of Carrying Value and Fair Value of Debt Obligations Fair Value, by Balance Sheet Grouping [Table Text Block] Diluted (in dollars per share) Diluted Earnings per Share (in dollars per share) Earnings Per Share, Diluted Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income Loss [Table] Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Table] Entity Current Reporting Status Entity Current Reporting Status Net cash used in financing activities Cash Provided by (Used in) Financing Activity, Including Discontinued Operation Total Shareholder Return Amount Total Shareholder Return Amount Liabilities: Liabilities, Fair Value Disclosure [Abstract] Other Borrowings, due 2026 to 2031 Other Other Borrowings [Member] Other Borrowings [Member] Intangible asset amortization expense Intangible Asset, Finite-Lived, Amortization Expense Schedule of Business Combination Business Combination [Table Text Block] Proceeds from borrowings Proceeds from Long-Term Lines of Credit Research and development expenses Research and Development Expense Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities: Adjustment to Reconcile Net Income to Cash Provided by (Used in) Operating Activity [Abstract] Share-based Payment Arrangement [Abstract] Share-Based Payment Arrangement [Abstract] Financing Activities Cash Provided by (Used in) Financing Activity, Including Discontinued Operation [Abstract] Revenue (Notes 1 and 9) Revenue from contract with customer, excluding assessed tax Revenue from Contract with Customer, Excluding Assessed Tax Remaining borrowing capacity Line of Credit Facility, Remaining Borrowing Capacity Intangible Asset, Finite-Lived, Class [Axis] Intangible Asset, Finite-Lived, Class [Axis] Non-Cash Financing Activities: Cash Flow, Noncash Financing Activities Disclosure [Abstract] Equity Awards Adjustments, Footnote Equity Awards Adjustments, Footnote [Text Block] Underlying Securities Award Underlying Securities Amount Comprehensive Income Attributable to Noncontrolling Interests Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax, Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest Fair Value Estimate of Fair Value Measurement [Member] Gross Intangible Asset, Excluding Goodwill, before Accumulated Amortization Advanced billings Contract With Customer Liability, Current, Advanced Billings Contract With Customer Liability, Current, Advanced Billings Raw Materials Inventory, Raw Materials and Supplies, Net of Reserves Inventories Increase (Decrease) in Inventories Accrued warranty costs Product Warranty Accrual, Current Banker's acceptance drafts Banker's Acceptance, Due from Customer, after Allowance for Credit Loss Segment Reporting [Table] Segment Reporting [Table] Issuance of Company common stock upon vesting of restricted stock units Stock Issued Down payment percentage Sale Of Property, Plant, And Equipment, Down Payment, Percent Received Sale Of Property, Plant, And Equipment, Down Payment, Percent Received Other current assets Other Assets, Current Weighted average interest rate for revolving credit facility (as a percentage) Long-Term Debt, Weighted Average Interest Rate, at Point in Time Additional borrowing capacity under uncommitted portion Line of Credit Facility, Additional Borrowing Capacity The additional amount available over and above the maximum borrowing capacity under the credit facility. Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract] Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract] All Trading Arrangements All Trading Arrangements [Member] Balance at Beginning of Year Balance at End of Period Fair Value, Measurement with Unobservable Inputs Reconciliation, Recurring Basis, Liability Value Other Performance Measure, Amount Other Performance Measure, Amount Award Timing MNPI Considered Award Timing MNPI Considered [Flag] Operating Income Operating Income (Loss) Revenue, remaining performance obligation, amount Revenue, Remaining Performance Obligation, Amount Current Fiscal Year End Date Current Fiscal Year End Date Proceeds from issuance of long-term obligations Proceeds from Issuance of Debt Non-PEO NEO Average Total Compensation Amount Non-PEO NEO Average Total Compensation Amount Asia Asia [Member] Acquisitions Business Combination [Text Block] Gross Indefinite-Lived Intangible Assets (Excluding Goodwill), Gross Indefinite-Lived Intangible Assets (Excluding 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locations Other Inventory, Inventory at off Site Premises, Gross Banker's Acceptance Drafts Included in Accounts Receivable Banker's Acceptance Drafts Policy [Policy Text Block] Banker's Acceptance Drafts Policy [Policy Text Block] Treasury stock (in shares) Beginning balance, treasury (in shares) Ending balance, treasury (in shares) Treasury Stock, Common, Shares Accumulated Other Comprehensive Items Comprehensive Income (Loss) Note [Text Block] Share-Based Compensation Arrangement By Share-Based Payment Award, Component Four Share-Based Compensation Arrangement By Share-Based Payment Award, Component Four [Member] Share-Based Compensation Arrangement By Share-Based Payment Award, Component Four Equity Components [Axis] Equity Components [Axis] Accounts receivable Increase (Decrease) in Accounts Receivable Product and Service [Domain] Product and Service [Domain] Cash Paid for Income Taxes, Net of Refunds Income Tax Paid, after Refund Received Disaggregation of Revenue [Table] 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[Member] Revenue, Remaining Performance Obligation, Expected Timing of Satisfaction [Table] Revenue, Remaining Performance Obligation, Expected Timing of Satisfaction [Table] PEO Name PEO Name Geographical [Axis] Geographical [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 Contract Liabilities Contract with Customer, Liability Other segment items Segment Reporting, Other Segment Item, Amount Long-Lived Asset, Class [Axis] Long-Lived Asset, Class [Axis] Stock Price or TSR Estimation Method Stock Price or TSR Estimation Method [Text Block] Entity Tax Identification Number Entity Tax Identification Number Liability Class [Axis] Liability Class [Axis] Customer Deposits Business Combination, Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed, Current 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Measurement [Axis] Statistical Measurement [Axis] Insider Trading Arrangements [Line Items] Indefinite-Lived Intangible Asset, Indefinite-Lived, Acquired [Line Items] Banker's acceptance drafts, maturity period (in months) Bank Acceptance, Maturity Period Bank Acceptance, Maturity Period Award Type [Axis] Award Type [Axis] Non-Cash Investing Activities: Cash Flow, Noncash Investing Activities Disclosure [Abstract] Named Executive Officers, Footnote Named Executive Officers, Footnote [Text Block] Accounts receivable, net of allowances of $5,334 and $5,149 Accounts Receivable, after Allowance for Credit Loss, Current Retained earnings Retained Earnings (Accumulated Deficit) Product and Service [Axis] Product and Service [Axis] Contingent consideration Business Combination, Contingent Consideration, Change in Contingent Consideration, Liability, Increase (Decrease) Aggregate Change in Present Value of Accumulated Benefit for All Pension Plans Reported in Summary Compensation Table Aggregate Change in Present Value of Accumulated Benefit for All Pension Plans Reported in Summary Compensation Table [Member] Awards Close in Time to MNPI Disclosures Awards Close in Time to MNPI Disclosures [Table] Common Stock Common Stock [Member] Other Borrowings, due 2026 to 2031 Other Borrowings Fair Value Measurement [Domain] Fair Value Measurement [Domain] Contingent consideration Business Combination, Contingent Consideration, Liability Compensation Actually Paid vs. Company Selected Measure Compensation Actually Paid vs. Company Selected Measure [Text Block] Cover [Abstract] Cover [Abstract] Euro-Denominated Borrowing Amendment To Unsecured Multi-Currency Revolving Credit Facility, Euro-Denominated Borrowing [Member] Amendment To Unsecured Multi-Currency Revolving Credit Facility, Euro-Denominated Borrowing Land and Building Land and Building [Member] Currency translation Goodwill, Foreign Currency Translation, Gain (Loss) Equity Awards Adjustments Equity Awards Adjustments [Member] Revenue, Remaining Performance Obligation, Expected Timing of Satisfaction [Line Items] Revenue, Remaining Performance Obligation, Expected Timing of Satisfaction [Line Items] Total Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity Liabilities and Equity Employee Stock Option Share-Based Payment Arrangement, Option [Member] Current maturities of long-term obligations (Note 5) Less: Current Maturities of Long-Term Obligations Debt, Current Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items] Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items] Noncontrolling interests Equity, Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest Segments [Axis] Segments [Axis] Other liabilities Increase (Decrease) in Other Operating Liabilities Additional 402(v) Disclosure Additional 402(v) Disclosure [Text Block] Tabular List, Table Tabular List [Table Text Block] Capital in excess of par value Additional Paid in Capital Eurocurrency Rate, Term SOFR, Term CORRA, And RFR Eurocurrency Rate, Term SOFR, Term CORRA, And RFR [Member] Eurocurrency Rate, Term SOFR, Term CORRA, And RFR Name Awards Close in Time to MNPI Disclosures, Individual Name Stockholders' Equity: Equity, Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest [Abstract] Year-end Fair Value of Equity Awards Granted in Covered Year that are Outstanding and Unvested Year-end Fair Value of Equity Awards Granted in Covered Year that are Outstanding and Unvested [Member] General and administrative expenses General and Administrative Expense Long-Lived Asset, Class [Domain] Long-Lived Asset, Class [Domain] Debt Instrument, Fair Value Disclosure [Abstract] Debt Instrument, Fair Value Disclosure [Abstract] Fair Value by Liability Class [Domain] Fair Value by Liability Class [Domain] Credit Agreement Amendment To Unsecured Multi-Currency Revolving Credit Facility ("Credit Agreement") [Member] Amendment To Unsecured Multi-Currency Revolving Credit Facility ("Credit Agreement") Preferred stock, authorized (in shares) Preferred Stock, Shares Authorized Preferred stock, $.01 par value, 5,000,000 shares authorized; none issued Preferred Stock, Value, Issued Adjustment to Compensation: Adjustment to Compensation [Axis] Reclassifications from AOCI Reclassification from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income, Current Period, Net of Tax Note Purchase Agreement Note Purchase Agreement [Member] Note Purchase Agreement [Member] Rule 10b5-1 Arrangement Terminated Rule 10b5-1 Arrangement Terminated [Flag] Aggregate Erroneous Compensation Amount Aggregate Erroneous Compensation Amount Capital expenditures Payments to Acquire Productive Assets Cash Paid for Interest Interest Paid, Excluding Capitalized Interest, Operating Activity Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax [Abstract] Statement of Cash Flows [Abstract] Statement of Cash Flows [Abstract] Credit Facility [Axis] Credit Facility [Axis] Aggregate Available Trading Arrangement, Securities Aggregate Available Amount Time Based Restricted Stock Units Time Based Restricted Stock Units [Member] Time Based Restricted Stock Units Long-Term Obligations (Note 5) Long-Term Obligations Long-Term Debt and Lease Obligation Name Measure Name Provision for Income Taxes Income Tax Disclosure [Text Block] Accounts payable Accounts Payable, Current Pay vs Performance Disclosure [Line Items] Fair Value, Measurements, Fair Value Hierarchy [Domain] Fair Value Hierarchy and NAV [Domain] Parts and consumables Parts and Consumables [Member] Parts and Consumables [Member] Other items, net Other Noncash Income (Expense) Debt Instrument [Line Items] Debt Instrument [Line Items] Pay vs Performance Disclosure Pay vs Performance Disclosure [Table] Earnings per Share Attributable to Kadant (Note 3) Earnings Per Share, Basic and Diluted EPS [Abstract] Earnings Per Share, Basic and Diluted EPS Consideration transferred Business Combination, Consideration Transferred Capital in Excess of Par Value Additional Paid-in Capital [Member] Entity Filer Category Entity Filer Category Indefinite-lived Intangible Assets [Axis] Intangible Asset, Indefinite-Lived, Class [Axis] Name Trading Arrangement, Individual Name Selling expenses Selling Expense Cash and cash equivalents Cash and cash equivalents Cash and Cash Equivalent Company Selected Measure Amount Company Selected Measure Amount Depreciation and amortization Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization Other Acquisitions Other Acquisitions [Member] Other Acquisitions Activity under stock plans (in shares) Shares Issued, Shares, Share-Based Payment Arrangement, after Forfeiture Share-Based Compensation Arrangement By Share-Based Payment Award Component One Share-Based Compensation Arrangement By Share-Based Payment Award Component One [Member] Share-Based Compensation Arrangement By Share-Based Payment Award Component One Net Income Net Income Net income Net Income (Loss), Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest BÖHLER Profil GmbH & Co KG BÖHLER Profil GmbH & Co KG [Member] BÖHLER Profil GmbH & Co KG Current Assets: Assets, Current [Abstract] Non-PEO NEO Non-PEO NEO [Member] Senior Promissory Notes, due 2026 to 2028 Senior promissory notes Senior Notes [Member] Entity Address, Address Line One Entity Address, Address Line One North America North America [Member] Provision for Income Taxes (Note 4) Provision for income taxes Income Tax Expense (Benefit) Cost of revenue Cost of Product and Service Sold Product technology Technology-Based Intangible Assets [Member] Award Timing Method Award Timing Method [Text Block] Decrease in Cash, Cash Equivalents, and Restricted Cash Cash, Cash Equivalent, Restricted Cash, and Restricted Cash Equivalent, Period Increase (Decrease), Including Exchange Rate Effect and Discontinued Operation Forgone Recovery, Explanation of Impracticability Forgone Recovery, Explanation of Impracticability [Text Block] Deferred Income Taxes Business Combination, Recognized Liability Assumed, Deferred Tax Liability Net Income Attributable to Kadant Net Income Attributable to Kadant Net Income (Loss) Attributable to Parent Long-term Debt, Type [Axis] Long-Term Debt, Type [Axis] Erroneous Compensation Analysis Erroneous Compensation Analysis [Text Block] Statement [Table] Statement [Table] Proceeds from sale of property, plant, and equipment Proceeds from Sale of Property, Plant, and Equipment Restatement Determination Date: Restatement Determination Date [Axis] Schedule of Components of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Items Schedule of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Table Text Block] Share-Based Payment Arrangement, Nonemployee Share-Based Payment Arrangement, Nonemployee [Member] Interest Income Investment Income, Interest Corporate Expenses Corporate Expense Corporate Expense Schedule of Contract Balances From Contracts With Customers Contract with Customer, Contract Asset, Contract Liability, and Receivable [Table Text Block] Warranty Obligations Standard Product Warranty, Policy [Policy Text Block] Pension Benefits Adjustments, Footnote Pension Benefits Adjustments, Footnote [Text Block]