Cover Page - shares	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2020	Oct. 31, 2020
Cover [Abstract]
Document Type	10-Q
Amendment Flag	false
Document Quarterly Report	true
Document Transition Report	false
Document Period End Date	Sep. 30, 2020
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2020
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q3
Entity File Number	001-38678
Entity Registrant Name	UPWORK INC.
Entity Incorporation, State or Country Code	DE
Entity Tax Identification Number	46-4337682
Entity Address, Address Line One	2625 Augustine Drive, Suite 601
Entity Address, City or Town	Santa Clara,
Entity Address, State or Province	CA
Entity Address, Postal Zip Code	95054
Entity Central Index Key	0001627475
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--12-31
City Area Code	650
Local Phone Number	316-7500
Title of 12(b) Security	Common Stock, $0.0001 par value per share
Trading Symbol	UPWK
Security Exchange Name	NASDAQ
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes
Entity Interactive Data Current	Yes
Entity Filer Category	Large Accelerated Filer
Entity Small Business	false
Entity Emerging Growth Company	false
Entity Shell Company	false
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding (in shares)		122,073,553