Document and Entity Information - shares	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2019	Aug. 01, 2019
Document And Entity Information
Entity Registrant Name	CYTRX CORP
Entity Central Index Key	0000799698
Document Type	10-Q
Document Period End Date	Jun. 30, 2019
Amendment Flag	false
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--12-31
Entity's Reporting Status Current	Yes
Entity Interactive Data Current	Yes
Entity Filer Category	Non-accelerated Filer
Entity Small Business Flag	true
Entity Emerging Growth Company	false
Entity Ex Transition Period	false
Entity Shell Company	false
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		33,637,501
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q2
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2019