Document And Entity Information (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Nov. 30, 2011	Feb. 09, 2012	May 31, 2011
Document and Entity Information [Abstract]
Entity Registrant Name	ARTS WAY MANUFACTURING CO INC
Document Type	10-K
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--11-30
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		4,028,852
Entity Public Float			$ 14,159,558
Amendment Flag	false
Entity Central Index Key	0000007623
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes
Entity Voluntary Filers	No
Entity Filer Category	Smaller Reporting Company
Entity Well-known Seasoned Issuer	No
Document Period End Date	Nov. 30, 2011
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2011
Document Fiscal Period Focus	FY