Document and Entity Information - shares	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2021	May 12, 2021
Document and Entity Information
Document Type	10-Q
Document Quarterly Report	true
Document Period End Date	Mar. 31, 2021
Document Transition Report	false
Entity File Number	001-32472
Entity Registrant Name	DAWSON GEOPHYSICAL COMPANY
Entity Incorporation, State or Country Code	TX
Entity Tax Identification Number	74-2095844
Entity Address, Address Line One	508 West Wall, Suite 800
Entity Address, City or Town	Midland
Entity Address, State or Province	TX
Entity Address, Postal Zip Code	79701
City Area Code	432
Local Phone Number	684-3000
Title of 12(b) Security	Common Stock, $0.01 par value
Trading Symbol	DWSN
Security Exchange Name	NASDAQ
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes
Entity Interactive Data Current	Yes
Entity Filer Category	Non-accelerated Filer
Entity Small Business	true
Entity Emerging Growth Company	false
Entity Shell Company	false
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		23,478,072
Entity Central Index Key	0000799165
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--12-31
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2021
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q1
Amendment Flag	false