Document and Entity Information - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2016	Dec. 09, 2016	Mar. 31, 2016
Document And Entity Information [Abstract]
Document Type	10-K
Amendment Flag	false
Document Period End Date	Sep. 30, 2016
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2016
Document Fiscal Period Focus	FY
Trading Symbol	SOFO
Entity Registrant Name	SONIC FOUNDRY INC
Entity Central Index Key	0001029744
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--09-30
Entity Well-known Seasoned Issuer	No
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes
Entity Voluntary Filers	No
Entity Filer Category	Smaller Reporting Company
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		4,411,559
Entity Public Float			$ 25,112