Document And Entity Information	3 Months Ended
	Feb. 28, 2014	Apr. 03, 2014
Document and Entity Information [Abstract]
Entity Registrant Name	ARTS WAY MANUFACTURING CO INC
Document Type	10-Q
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--11-30
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		4,046,552
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	Feb. 28, 2014
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2014
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q1