Schedule of Heritage Global Inc. 2016 Stock Option Plan (Details) - shares	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2016
Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award [Line Items]
Options outstanding, beginning of year	4,303,900	5,040,450
Options granted	649,850	526,500
Options exercised	(31,276)	(173,130)
Options expired	(765,000)	(1,016,870)
Options forfeited	(545,624)	(73,050)
Options outstanding, end of year	3,611,850	4,303,900
2016 Stock Option Plan [Member]
Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award [Line Items]
Options outstanding, beginning of year	2,453,900	2,370,450
Options granted	324,850	441,500	2,539,200
Options exercised	(31,276)	(173,130)
Options expired	0	(126,870)
Options forfeited	(395,624)	(58,050)
Options outstanding, end of year	2,351,850	2,453,900