Cover - shares	3 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2020	Feb. 05, 2021
Cover [Abstract]
Entity Registrant Name	CEL-SCI CORPORATION
Entity Central Index Key	0000725363
Document Type	10-Q
Amendment Flag	false
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--09-30
Entity Small Business	true
Entity Shell Company	false
Entity Emerging Growth Company	false
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes
Document Period End Date	Dec. 31, 2020
Entity Filer Category	Non-accelerated Filer
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q1
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2021
Entity Common Stock Shares Outstanding		40,529,278
Document Quarterly Report	true
Document Transition Report	false
Entity File Number	001-11889
Entity Incorporation State Country Code	CO
Entity Tax Identification Number	84-0916344
Entity Address Address Line 1	8229 Boone Boulevard
Entity Address Address Line 2	Suite 802
Entity Address City Or Town	Vienna
Entity Address State Or Province	VA
Entity Address Postal Zip Code	22182
City Area Code	703
Local Phone Number	506-9460
Security 12b Title	Common Stock
Trading Symbol	CVM
Security Exchange Name	NYSE
Entity Interactive Data Current	Yes