Note 3 - Exit and Disposal Activities (Details Textual) - Transition of Production from the Broadway Plant [Member] - USD ($)	3 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Nov. 22, 2016
Restructuring and Related Cost, Incurred Cost		$ 2,360,000	$ 645,000
Restructuring and Related Cost, Incurred Cost, Per Share		$ 0.12	$ 0.03
Impairment of Long-Lived Assets to be Disposed of	$ 188,000	$ 0
Restructuring and Related Cost, Cost Incurred to Date		3,005,000
Restructuring and Related Cost, Expected Cost Remaining		612,000
Restructuring and Related Cost, Expected Cost		3,617,000
Sypris Electronics [Member]
Restructuring and Related Cost, Expected Cost Remaining		612,000
Employee Severance [Member]
Restructuring and Related Cost, Incurred Cost		936,000	$ 427,000
Restructuring and Related Cost, Cost Incurred to Date		1,363,000
Restructuring and Related Cost, Expected Cost Remaining		0
Restructuring and Related Cost, Expected Cost		1,363,000
Equipment Relocation Costs [Member]
Restructuring and Related Cost, Cost Incurred to Date		1,424,000
Restructuring and Related Cost, Expected Cost Remaining		112,000
Restructuring and Related Cost, Expected Cost		$ 1,536,000		$ 2,531,000