Description of event of default.

No definition available.

Name:	hgbl_DescriptionOfEventOfDefault
Namespace Prefix:	hgbl_
Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Interest rate for outstanding settlement of promissory note.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	hgbl_InterestRateForOutstandingSettlementOfPromissoryNote
Namespace Prefix:	hgbl_
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Litigation full settlement payable date.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	hgbl_LitigationFullSettlementPayableDate
Namespace Prefix:	hgbl_
Data Type:	xbrli:dateItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Litigation settlement monthly installment amount due.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	hgbl_LitigationSettlementMonthlyInstallmentAmountDue
Namespace Prefix:	hgbl_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Number of monthly litigation settlement installments.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	hgbl_NumberOfMonthlyLitigationSettlementInstallments
Namespace Prefix:	hgbl_
Data Type:	xbrli:integerItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Percentage of default interest amount.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	hgbl_PercentageOfDefaultInterestAmount
Namespace Prefix:	hgbl_
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Percentage points added to the reference rate to compute the variable rate on the debt instrument.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_DebtInstrumentBasisSpreadOnVariableRate1
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Line items represent financial concepts included in a table. These concepts are used to disclose reportable information associated with domain members defined in one or many axes to the table.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Date when the debt instrument is scheduled to be fully repaid, in CCYY-MM-DD format.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 210
-SubTopic 10
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02.22(a)(2))
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6877327&loc=d3e13212-122682

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2009/role/commonPracticeRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 820
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 2
-Subparagraph (bbb)(2)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=99377789&loc=d3e19207-110258

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_DebtInstrumentMaturityDate
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:dateItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Amount of the required periodic payments including both interest and principal payments.

+ References

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_DebtInstrumentPeriodicPayment
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

The carrying value as of the balance sheet date of the current and noncurrent portions of long-term obligations drawn from a line of credit, which is a bank's commitment to make loans up to a specific amount. Examples of items that might be included in the application of this element may consist of letters of credit, standby letters of credit, and revolving credit arrangements, under which borrowings can be made up to a maximum amount as of any point in time conditional on satisfaction of specified terms before, as of and after the date of drawdowns on the line. Includes short-term obligations that would normally be classified as current liabilities but for which (a) postbalance sheet date issuance of a long term obligation to refinance the short term obligation on a long term basis, or (b) the enterprise has entered into a financing agreement that clearly permits the enterprise to refinance the short-term obligation on a long term basis and the following conditions are met (1) the agreement does not expire within 1 year and is not cancelable by the lender except for violation of an objectively determinable provision, (2) no violation exists at the BS date, and (3) the lender has entered into the financing agreement is expected to be financially capable of honoring the agreement.

+ References

Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 210
-SubTopic 10
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02(22))
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6877327&loc=d3e13212-122682

Reference 2: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 942
-SubTopic 210
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.9-03(16))
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6876686&loc=d3e534808-122878

Reference 3: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 944
-SubTopic 210
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.7-03(16))
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6879938&loc=d3e572229-122910

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_LineOfCredit
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Description of the frequency of periodic payments, which may be presented in a variety of ways (for example, monthly, quarterly, annually).

+ References

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityFrequencyOfPayments
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Maximum borrowing capacity under the credit facility without consideration of any current restrictions on the amount that could be borrowed or the amounts currently outstanding under the facility.

+ References

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityMaximumBorrowingCapacity
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Amount of the required periodic payment applied to interest.

+ References

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityPeriodicPaymentInterest
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Amount awarded to other party in judgment or settlement of litigation.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_LitigationSettlementAmountAwardedToOtherParty
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Including the current and noncurrent portions, aggregate carrying amount of all types of notes payable, as of the balance sheet date, with initial maturities beyond one year or beyond the normal operating cycle, if longer.

+ References

Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 944
-SubTopic 210
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.7-03(a)(16))
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6879938&loc=d3e572229-122910

Reference 2: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 210
-SubTopic 10
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02(22))
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6877327&loc=d3e13212-122682

Reference 3: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 942
-SubTopic 210
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.9-03(16))
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6876686&loc=d3e534808-122878

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_NotesPayable
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionsByRelatedPartyAxis=srt_AffiliatedEntityMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_CreditFacilityAxis=us-gaap_RevolvingCreditFacilityMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionsByRelatedPartyAxis=us-gaap_SubsidiaryOfCommonParentMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionAxis=hgbl_StreetCapitalLoanMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_VariableRateAxis=us-gaap_PrimeRateMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionAxis=hgbl_FirstChoiceBankMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	srt_RangeAxis=srt_MinimumMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

Debt (Narrative) (Details)			9 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
Debt (Narrative) (Details)	Sep. 27, 2018 USD ($)	Jan. 30, 2018 USD ($) Installment	Sep. 30, 2018 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2016 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2017
Affiliated Entity [Member] \| Revolving Line of Credit [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Line of credit aggregate borrowing capacity				$ 1,500,000
Heritage Global LLC [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Litigation settlement, amount paid behalf of subsidiary		$ 1,260,000
Number of installments \| Installment		36
Litigation settlement installments amount due		$ 35,000
Remaining outstanding debt balance payable date		Jan. 30, 2021
Interest rate on promissory note					6.50%
Percentage of default interest amount			12.00%
Description of event of default			An “Event of Default” means: (a) any failure of HG LLC to pay when due any amount thereunder, when and as due, (b) any failure on the part of HG LLC to pay upon 54 Finance’s demand any fees, costs, expenses or other charges hereunder or otherwise due to HG LLC under the Note or the Guaranty, (c) any breach, failure or default under the Guaranty, (d) HG LLC or HGI repudiates or revokes, or purports to repudiate or revoke, any obligation under the Note or the Guaranty, or the obligation of HGI under the Guaranty is limited or terminated by operation of law or by HGI, or (e) HG LLC or HGI are insolvent or admit in writing its inability to pay debts as they mature, or make a general assignment for the benefit of its creditors, or institute any bankruptcy, insolvency or similar proceeding under the laws of any jurisdiction, or take any action to authorize such proceeding.
Debt instrument, periodic payment			$ 280,000
Outstanding note balance			$ 907,000
Street Capital Loan [Member] \| Wall Street Journal prime rate [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Interest rate per annum				1.00%
First Choice Bank [Member] \| Revolving Line of Credit [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Line of credit	$ 1,500,000
Debt instrument, Maturity date			Oct. 05, 2019
Frequency of payment			monthly payments
First Choice Bank [Member] \| Revolving Line of Credit [Member] \| Minimum [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Monthly interest payment	$ 100.00
First Choice Bank [Member] \| Wall Street Journal prime rate [Member] \| Revolving Line of Credit [Member] \| Minimum [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Interest rate per annum	5.25%