Document and Entity Information - shares	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2021	Nov. 01, 2021
Cover [Abstract]
Document Type	10-Q
Amendment Flag	false
Document Period End Date	Sep. 30, 2021
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2021
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q3
Trading Symbol	HGBL
Security Exchange Name	NASDAQ
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 Interactive Data Current	Yes
Document Transition Report	false
Title of 12(b) Security	Common stock, $0.01 par value
Entity Incorporation, State or Country Code	FL
Document Quarterly Report	true
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		36,574,702
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes
Entity Shell Company	false
Entity File Number	001-39471
Entity Tax Identification Number	59-2291344
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	847-0659