Computation of Basic Earnings Per Share (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2011	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2011
Earnings Per Share, Basic, by Common Class, Including Two Class Method [Line Items]
Consolidated Net profit (loss) from continuing operations	$ (462,999)	$ 111,688	$ (2,249,646)	$ (264,920)
Net profit from discontinued operations		312,635		442,881
Less: Net profit from discontinued operations - noncontrolling interest				67,872
Net profit from discontinued operations attributable to CUI Global Inc.		312,635		375,009
Net profit (loss) for the period attributable to CUI Global, Inc.	$ (462,999)	$ 424,323	$ (2,249,646)	$ 110,089
Weighted average number of shares outstanding	10,819,681	7,309,416	9,940,168	7,228,660
Weighted average number of common and common equivalent shares	10,819,681	7,309,416	9,940,168	7,228,660
Basic profit (loss) per common share from continuing operations	$ (0.04)	$ 0.02	$ (0.23)	$ (0.04)
Basic profit per common share from discontinued operations - attributable to CUI Global, Inc.		$ 0.04		$ 0.05
Basic profit (loss) per common share	$ (0.04)	$ 0.06	$ (0.23)	$ 0.02