Note 19 - Earnings Per Share - Consolidated Earnings Per Share (Details) - USD ($)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2021	Dec. 31, 2020
Loss from continuing operations	$ (7,728,032)	$ (1,775,945)
Loss attributable to noncontrolling interest	718,212	138,625
Deemed dividends on preferred stock and amortization of beneficial conversion feature	3,572,587	4,380,292
Loss from continuing operations attributable to Yunhong CTI Ltd common shareholders	(10,323,120)	(6,294,435)
(Gain)/loss attributable to noncontrolling interest	173,727	(2,520,616)
Loss from discontinued operations attributable to Yunhong CTI Ltd common shareholders	$ (11,845,104)	$ (8,815,051)
Continuing operations (in dollars per share)	$ (2.04)	$ (0.98)
Discontinued operations (in dollars per share)	0.03	(0.54)
Earnings Per Share, Basic and Diluted, Total	$ (2.01)	$ (1.52)
Basic and Diluted weighted average number of shares and equivalent shares of common stock oustanding (in shares)	5,878,887	4,705,741