Document And Entity Information - USD ($)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2020	Mar. 19, 2021	Jun. 30, 2020
Document Information [Line Items]
Entity Central Index Key	0000834365
Entity Registrant Name	BIOLIFE SOLUTIONS INC
Amendment Flag	false
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--12-31
Document Fiscal Period Focus	FY
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2020
Document Type	10-K
Document Annual Report	true
Document Period End Date	Dec. 31, 2020
Document Transition Report	false
Entity File Number	001-36362
Entity Incorporation, State or Country Code	DE
Entity Tax Identification Number	94-3076866
Entity Address, Address Line One	3303 Monte Villa Parkway, Suite 310
Entity Address, City or Town	Bothell
Entity Address, State or Province	WA
Entity Address, Postal Zip Code	98021
City Area Code	425
Local Phone Number	402-1400
Title of 12(b) Security	Common Stock, par value $0.01 per share
Trading Symbol	BLFS
Security Exchange Name	NASDAQ
Entity Well-known Seasoned Issuer	Yes
Entity Voluntary Filers	No
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 Public Float			$ 263,000,000
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		33,401,359