Document And Entity Information - shares	9 Months Ended
	Aug. 31, 2019	Oct. 07, 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)		4,298,212
Entity Shell Company	false
Document Type	10-Q
Document Period End Date	Aug. 31, 2019
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2019
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q3
Amendment Flag	false
Title of 12(b) Security	Common Stock