Document And Entity Information - shares	6 Months Ended
	May 31, 2019	Jul. 03, 2019
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 Emerging Growth Company	false
Entity Small Business	true
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding (in shares)		4,291,712
Document Type	10-Q
Document Period End Date	May 31, 2019
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2019
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q2
Amendment Flag	false
Entity Shell Company	false