Document and Entity Information - shares	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2019	Aug. 07, 2019
Entity Information [Line Items]
Entity Registrant Name	TELOS CORP
Entity Central Index Key	0000320121
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--12-31
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes
Entity Interactive Data Current	Yes
Entity Shell Company	false
Entity Filer Category	Non-accelerated Filer
Entity Small Business	false
Entity Emerging Growth Company	false
Document Type	10-Q
Amendment Flag	false
Document Period End Date	Jun. 30, 2019
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2019
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q2
Entity Address, State or Province	MD
Class A Common Stock [Member]
Entity Information [Line Items]
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		45,158,460
Class B Common Stock [Member]
Entity Information [Line Items]
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		4,037,628