Annual report pursuant to Section 13 and 15(d)

Document and Entity Information

v3.20.4
Document and Entity Information - USD ($)
$ / shares in Units, $ in Billions
 12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2020
Feb. 04, 2021
Jun. 30, 2020
Entity Information [Line Items]      
Entity Registrant Name MaxLinear, Inc.    
Entity Central Index Key 0001288469    
Entity Tax Identification Number 14-1896129    
Entity Address, Address Line One 5966 La Place Court, Suite 100,    
Entity Address, City or Town Carlsbad,    
Entity Address, State or Province CA    
Entity Address, Postal Zip Code 92008    
City Area Code 760    
Local Phone Number 692-0711    
Current Fiscal Year End Date --12-31    
Entity Filer Category Large Accelerated Filer    
Entity Interactive Data Current Yes    
Document Type 10-K    
Document Period End Date Dec. 31, 2020    
Document Fiscal Year Focus 2020    
Document Fiscal Period Focus FY    
Document Annual Report true    
Document Transition Report false    
Amendment Flag false    
Entity Small Business false    
Entity Emerging Growth Company false    
Entity Shell Company false    
Entity Current Reporting Status Yes    
Entity Incorporation, State or Country Code DE    
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding   74,543,700  
Entity Listing, Par Value Per Share $ 0.0001    
Entity File Number 001-34666    
Entity Well-known Seasoned Issuer Yes    
Entity Voluntary Filers No    
Entity Public Float     $ 1.4
ICFR Auditor Attestation Flag true    
NEW YORK STOCK EXCHANGE, INC. [Member]      
Entity Information [Line Items]      
Trading Symbol MXL    
Title of 12(b) Security Common Stock    
Security Exchange Name NYSE