Document and Entity Information - shares	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2023	Apr. 21, 2023
Cover [Abstract]
Document Type	10-Q
Amendment Flag	false
Document Period End Date	Mar. 31, 2023
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2023
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q1
Trading Symbol	CERS
Entity Registrant Name	CERUS CORPORATION
Entity Central Index Key	0001020214
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--12-31
Entity Filer Category	Large Accelerated Filer
Entity Small Business	false
Entity Emerging Growth Company	false
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		180,552,190
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes
Entity Shell Company	false
Title of 12(b) Security	Common Stock
Security Exchange Name	NASDAQ
Document Quarterly Report	true
Document Transition Report	false
Entity Interactive Data Current	Yes
Entity File Number	000-21937
Entity Tax Identification Number	68-0262011
Entity Incorporation, State or Country Code	DE
Entity Address, Address Line One	1220 Concord Avenue
Entity Address, Address Line Two	Suite 600
Entity Address, City or Town	Concord
Entity Address, State or Province	CA
Entity Address, Postal Zip Code	94520
City Area Code	925
Local Phone Number	288-6000