Quarterly report pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d)

Document and Entity Information

v3.5.0.2
Document and Entity Information - shares
9 Months Ended
Sep. 30, 2016
Nov. 02, 2016
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 Sep. 30, 2016  
Document Fiscal Year Focus 2016  
Document Fiscal Period Focus Q3  
Amendment Flag false  
Entity Well-known Seasoned Issuer No  
Entity Voluntary Filers No  
Entity Current Reporting Status Yes  
Class A Common Stock [Member]    
Entity Information [Line Items]    
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding   57,866,132
Common Class B [Member]    
Entity Information [Line Items]    
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding   6,666,777