Document And Entity Information (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2011	Mar. 01, 2012	Jun. 30, 2011
Document And Entity Information [Abstract]
Document Type	10-K
Amendment Flag	false
Document Period End Date	Dec. 31, 2011
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2011
Document Fiscal Period Focus	FY
Entity Registrant Name	NOVATEL WIRELESS INC
Entity Central Index Key	0001022652
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--12-31
Entity Filer Category	Accelerated Filer
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		32,279,593
Entity Well-known Seasoned Issuer	No
Entity Voluntary Filers	No
Entity Public Float			$ 106,826,791
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes