Document And Entity Information - shares	9 Months Ended
	Aug. 31, 2018	Oct. 02, 2018
Document Information [Line Items]
Entity Registrant Name	ARTS WAY MANUFACTURING CO INC
Entity Central Index Key	0000007623
Trading Symbol	artw
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--11-30
Entity Filer Category	Non-accelerated Filer
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding (in shares)		4,207,144
Document Type	10-Q
Document Period End Date	Aug. 31, 2018
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2018
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q3
Amendment Flag	false
Entity Emerging Growth Company	false
Entity Small Business	true