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Investments in Privately-held Companies (Details)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015 USD ($) employee item	Dec. 31, 2014 USD ($) item	Dec. 31, 2013 USD ($) item	Dec. 31, 2012 item
Summary of investments [Abstract]
Income allocated to minority interests	$ (305,000)	$ 691,000	$ 1,145,000
Equity investments classified as other assets	$ 14,114,000	$ 14,975,000
Employee duration	27 years
Joint Ventures [Member]
Summary of investments [Abstract]
Number of consolidated joint ventures | item		3	3	3
Income from three consolidated joint ventures	$ 800,000	$ 3,000,000	$ 3,500,000
Income allocated to minority interests	300,000	700,000	1,100,000
Net income from joint ventures attributable to parent	1,200,000	2,300,000	2,400,000
AXT, Inc. Stockholders' Equity
Summary of investments [Abstract]
Gross equity earnings from minority-owned joint ventures that are not consolidated, recorded as other income	2,371,000	6,765,000	$ 6,315,000
Equity Method Investments [Member]
Summary of investments [Abstract]
Equity method investment by parent	$ 7,948,000	$ 8,095,000
Number of equity investment entities | item	3	3	3
Minority investment in consolidated joint venture, included in other assets	$ 4,100,000	$ 4,000,000
Equity investments classified as other assets	7,900,000	8,100,000
Gross equity earnings from minority-owned joint ventures that are not consolidated, recorded as other income	43,000	569,000	$ 270,000
Net income generated by all joint ventures, consolidated and equity method investments	1,100,000	2,900,000	$ 2,600,000
Beijing JiYa Semiconductor Material Co., Ltd [Member]
Summary of investments [Abstract]
Investments, consolidated	$ 3,331,000	3,331,000
Percentage of ownership, consolidated method (in hundredths)	46.00%
Nanjing Jin Mei Gallium Co., Ltd [Member]
Summary of investments [Abstract]
Investments, consolidated	$ 592,000	592,000
Percentage of ownership, consolidated method (in hundredths)	83.00%
Number of employees who are also members of the board | employee	2
Beijing BoYu Semiconductor Vessel Craftwork Technology Co., Ltd [Member]
Summary of investments [Abstract]
Investments, consolidated	$ 1,346,000	1,346,000
Percentage of ownership, consolidated method (in hundredths)	70.00%
Number of employees who are also members of the board | employee	2
Donghai County Dongfang High Purity Electronic Materials Co., Ltd [Member] | Equity Method Investments [Member]
Summary of investments [Abstract]
Equity method investment by parent	$ 1,524,000	1,723,000
Percentage of ownership, equity method (in hundredths)	46.00%
Xilingol Tongli Germanium Co. Ltd [Member] | Equity Method Investments [Member]
Summary of investments [Abstract]
Equity method investment by parent	$ 5,343,000	5,351,000
Percentage of ownership, equity method (in hundredths)	25.00%
Emeishan Jia Mei High Purity Metals Co., Ltd [Member] | Equity Method Investments [Member]
Summary of investments [Abstract]
Equity method investment by parent	$ 1,081,000	1,021,000
Percentage of ownership, equity method (in hundredths)	25.00%
Majority-Owned Subsidiaries [Member]
Summary of investments [Abstract]
Investments, consolidated	$ 5,269,000	$ 5,269,000

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