Document and Entity Information (USD $)	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 25, 2011	Jun. 25, 2010
Document and Entity Information [Abstract]
Entity Registrant Name	COHU INC
Entity Central Index Key	0000021535
Document Type	10-Q
Document Period End Date	Jun. 25, 2011
Amendment Flag	false
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2011
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q2
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--12-31
Entity Well-known Seasoned Issuer	No
Entity Voluntary Filers	No
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes
Entity Filer Category	Accelerated Filer
Entity Public Float		$ 195,000,000
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding	24,146,456