Consolidated Statements of Shareholders' Equity (Deficit) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Common Stock	Additional Paid-in Capital	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income	Accumulated Deficit	Total Aehr Test Systems Shareholders' Equity	Noncontrolling Interest	Total
Beginning balance, shares (in thousands) at May. 31, 2017	21,340
Beginning balance, amount at May. 31, 2017	$ 213	$ 81,128	$ 2,249	$ (66,777)	$ 16,813	$ (19)	$ 16,794
Issuance of common stock under employee plans, shares (in thousands)	803
Issuance of common stock under employee plans, amount	$ 8	917	0	0	925	0	925
Stock-based compensation	0	996	0	0	996	0	996
Net (loss) income	0	0	0	528	528	0	528
Foreign currency translation adjustment	$ 0	0	43	0	43	(1)	42
Ending balance, shares (in thousands) at May. 31, 2018	22,143
Ending balance, amount at May. 31, 2018	$ 221	83,041	2,292	(66,249)	19,305	(20)	19,285
Issuance of common stock under employee plans, shares (in thousands)	526
Issuance of common stock under employee plans, amount	$ 6	553	0	0	559	0	559
Stock-based compensation	0	905	0	0	905	0	905
Net (loss) income	0	0	0	(5,235)	(5,235)	0	(5,235)
Foreign currency translation adjustment	$ 0	0	(62)	0	(62)	1	(61)
Ending balance, shares (in thousands) at May. 31, 2019	22,669
Ending balance, amount at May. 31, 2019	$ 227	84,499	2,230	(71,484)	15,472	(19)	15,453
Issuance of common stock under employee plans, shares (in thousands)	444
Issuance of common stock under employee plans, amount	$ 4	499	0	0	503	0	$ 503
Shares repurchased for tax withholdings on vesting of RSUs, shares (in thousands)	(6)						6
Shares repurchased for tax withholdings on vesting of RSUs	$ 0	(10)	0	0	(10)	0	$ (10)
Stock-based compensation	0	910	0	0	910	0	910
Net (loss) income	0	0	0	(2,802)	(2,802)	0	(2,802)
Foreign currency translation adjustment	$ 0	0	4	0	4	(2)	2
Ending balance, shares (in thousands) at May. 31, 2020	23,107
Ending balance, amount at May. 31, 2020	$ 231	$ 85,898	$ 2,234	$ (74,286)	$ 14,077	$ (21)	$ 14,056