Document and Entity Information - USD ($) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2016	Nov. 28, 2016	Mar. 31, 2016
Document and Entity Information [Abstract]
Entity Registrant Name	APPLIED DNA SCIENCES INC
Entity Central Index Key	0000744452
Trading Symbol	apdn
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes
Entity Voluntary Filers	No
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--09-30
Entity Filer Category	Smaller Reporting Company
Entity Well-known Seasoned Issuer	No
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		26,351,483
Entity Public Float			$ 72
Document Type	10-K
Document Period End Date	Sep. 30, 2016
Amendment Flag	false
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2016
Document Fiscal Period Focus	FY