Annual report pursuant to Section 13 and 15(d)

Document and Entity Information

v3.6.0.2
Document and Entity Information - USD ($)
12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2016
Feb. 02, 2017
Jun. 30, 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-K    
Document Period End Date Dec. 31, 2016    
Document Fiscal Year Focus 2016    
Document Fiscal Period Focus FY    
Amendment Flag false    
Entity Well-known Seasoned Issuer No    
Entity Voluntary Filers No    
Entity Current Reporting Status Yes    
Entity Public Float     $ 992,452,470
Class A Common Stock [Member]      
Entity Information [Line Items]      
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding   58,454,886  
Common Class B [Member]      
Entity Information [Line Items]      
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding   6,658,380