Percent of royalties paid which must equal the dollar linked amount of the grants received

No definition available.

Name:	silc_PercentOfRoyaltiesPaidMustEqualDollarLinkedAmountOfGrantsReceived
Namespace Prefix:	silc_
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Royalty Rates

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	silc_RoyaltyRates
Namespace Prefix:	silc_
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Rental expense incurred for leased assets including furniture and equipment which has not been recognized in costs and expenses applicable to sales and revenues; for example, cost of goods sold or other operating costs and expenses.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_LeaseAndRentalExpense
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Maximum borrowing capacity under the credit facility without consideration of any current restrictions on the amount that could be borrowed or the amounts currently outstanding under the facility.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)

-Number 129

-Paragraph 2, 4

-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 210

-SubTopic 10

-Section S99

-Paragraph 1

-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02.19(b),22(b))

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6877327&loc=d3e13212-122682

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher SEC

-Name Regulation S-X (SX)

-Number 210

-Section 02

-Paragraph 19, 22

-Article 5

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityMaximumBorrowingCapacity
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_LossContingenciesLineItems
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

The amount the entity has committed to make for future royalty guarantees.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 928

-SubTopic 440

-Section 50

-Paragraph 1

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6473578&loc=d3e63223-108013

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_RoyaltyGuaranteesCommitmentsAmount
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

Commitments And Contingencies (Narrative) (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]
Percent of royalties paid must equal the dollar linked amount of the grants received	100.00%
Total commitment in respect of royalty-bearing participations	$ 2,960	$ 2,960
Rental expenses under the lease agreements	676	632	542
Line of credit	$ 161
Minimum [Member]
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]
Royalty rates	2.00%
Maximum [Member]
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]
Royalty rates	5.00%
Silicom Research And Development [Member] \| Minimum [Member]
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]
Royalty rates	2.00%
Silicom Research And Development [Member] \| Maximum [Member]
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]
Royalty rates	3.50%
July 1, 1997 - January 31, 2000 Project [Member]
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]
Royalty rates	4.00%