Document And Entity Information (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Nov. 30, 2012	Feb. 07, 2013	May 31, 2012
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		4,035,052
Entity Public Float			$ 18,527,114
Amendment Flag	false
Entity Central Index Key	0000007623
Entity Current Reporting Status	No
Entity Voluntary Filers	No
Entity Filer Category	Smaller Reporting Company
Entity Well-known Seasoned Issuer	No
Document Period End Date	Nov. 30, 2012
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2012
Document Fiscal Period Focus	FY