Quarterly report pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d)

Document and Entity Information

v3.4.0.3
Document and Entity Information - USD ($)
3 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2016
May. 04, 2016
Jun. 30, 2015
Entity Information [Line Items]      
Entity Registrant Name MAXLINEAR INC    
Trading Symbol MXL    
Entity Central Index Key 0001288469    
Current Fiscal Year End Date --12-31    
Entity Filer Category Accelerated Filer    
Document Type 10-Q    
Document Period End Date Mar. 31, 2016    
Document Fiscal Year Focus 2016    
Document Fiscal Period Focus Q1    
Amendment Flag false    
Entity Well-known Seasoned Issuer No    
Entity Voluntary Filers No    
Entity Current Reporting Status Yes    
Entity Public Float     $ 649,471,493
Class A Common Stock [Member]      
Entity Information [Line Items]      
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding   56,378,170  
Common Class B [Member]      
Entity Information [Line Items]      
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding   6,666,777