Document And Entity Information - shares	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2020	Nov. 10, 2020
Document Information [Line Items]
Entity Registrant Name	NOVABAY PHARMACEUTICALS, INC.
Entity Central Index Key	0001389545
Trading Symbol	nby
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--12-31
Entity Filer Category	Non-accelerated Filer
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes
Entity Emerging Growth Company	false
Entity Small Business	true
Entity Interactive Data Current	Yes
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding (in shares)		41,782,584
Entity Shell Company	false
Document Type	10-Q
Document Period End Date	Sep. 30, 2020
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2020
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q3
Amendment Flag	false
Title of 12(b) Security	Common Stock, par value $0.01 per share