Document And Entity Information	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2012	May 08, 2012
Document and Entity Information [Abstract]
Entity Registrant Name	FUEL TECH, INC.
Document Type	10-Q
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--12-31
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		23,309,665
Amendment Flag	false
Entity Central Index Key	0000846913
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes
Entity Voluntary Filers	No
Entity Filer Category	Accelerated Filer
Entity Well-known Seasoned Issuer	No
Document Period End Date	Mar. 31, 2012
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2012
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q1