Note 13 - Segment Data - Financial Information From Reportable Segments - Balance Sheet (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Apr. 01, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
Total assets	$ 57,723	$ 57,155
Total liabilities	41,867	40,225
Sypris Technologies [Member]
Total assets	31,635	31,725
Total liabilities	25,424	23,854
Sypris Electronics [Member]
Total assets	18,177	17,440
Total liabilities	8,613	8,352
Corporate and Other [Member]
Total assets	7,911	7,990
Total liabilities	$ 7,830	$ 8,019