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, 2018	22,143
Beginning 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			559		559
Stock-based compensation		905			905		905
Reclassification of cumulative translation adjustment as a result of dissolution of Aehr Test System Japan							0
Net (loss) income				(5,235)	(5,235)		(5,235)
Foreign currency translation adjustment			(62)		(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			503		$ 503
Shares repurchased for tax withholdings on vesting of RSUs, shares (in thousands)	(6)						(6)
Shares repurchased for tax withholdings on vesting of RSUs		(10)			(10)		$ (10)
Stock-based compensation		910			910		910
Reclassification of cumulative translation adjustment as a result of dissolution of Aehr Test System Japan							0
Net (loss) income				(2,802)	(2,802)		(2,802)
Foreign currency translation adjustment			4		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
Issuance of common stock under employee plans, shares (in thousands)	627
Issuance of common stock under employee plans, amount	$ 6	574			580		$ 580
Shares repurchased for tax withholdings on vesting of RSUs, shares (in thousands)	(9)						(9)
Shares repurchased for tax withholdings on vesting of RSUs	$ 0	(20)			(20)		$ (20)
Stock-based compensation		1,101			1,101		1,101
Reclassification of cumulative translation adjustment as a result of dissolution of Aehr Test System Japan			(2,401)		(2,401)		(2,401)
Net (loss) income				(2,027)	(2,027)		(2,027)
Foreign currency translation adjustment			139		139	21	160
Ending balance, shares (in thousands) at May. 31, 2021	23,725
Ending balance, amount at May. 31, 2021	$ 237	$ 87,553	$ (28)	$ (76,313)	$ 11,449	$ 0	$ 11,449