Quarterly report pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d)

Document and Entity Information

v3.3.0.814
Document and Entity Information - shares
 9 Months Ended
Sep. 30, 2015
Oct. 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 Sep. 30, 2015  
Document Fiscal Year Focus 2015  
Document Fiscal Period Focus Q3  
Amendment Flag false  
Class A Common Stock [Member]    
Entity Information [Line Items]    
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding   54,811,930
Class B Common Stock [Member]    
Entity Information [Line Items]    
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding   6,770,277