Document and Entity Information - shares	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2019	Aug. 01, 2019
Document And Entity Information [Abstract]
Document Type	10-Q
Amendment Flag	false
Document Period End Date	Jun. 30, 2019
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2019
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q2
Trading Symbol	HGBL
Entity Registrant Name	Heritage Global Inc.
Entity Central Index Key	0000849145
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--12-31
Entity Filer Category	Non-accelerated Filer
Entity Small Business	true
Entity Emerging Growth Company	false
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		29,253,278
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes
Entity Shell Company	false
Entity File Number	0-17973
Entity Tax Identification Number	592291344
Entity Address, Address Line One	12625 High Bluff Drive
Entity Address, Address Line Two	Suite 305
Entity Address, City or Town	San Diego
Entity Address, State or Province	CA
Entity Address, Postal Zip Code	92130
City Area Code	858
Local Phone Number	847-0656