Document And Entity Information - USD ($)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2020	Mar. 09, 2021	Jun. 30, 2020
Document Information [Line Items]
Entity Central Index Key	0000876378
Entity Registrant Name	ASENSUS SURGICAL, INC.
Amendment Flag	false
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--12-31
Document Fiscal Period Focus	FY
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2020
Document Type	10-K
Document Annual Report	true
Document Period End Date	Dec. 31, 2020
Document Transition Report	false
Entity File Number	0-19437
Entity Incorporation, State or Country Code	DE
Entity Tax Identification Number	11-2962080
Entity Address, Address Line One	1 TW Alexander Drive, Suite 160
Entity Address, City or Town	Durham
Entity Address, State or Province	NC
Entity Address, Postal Zip Code	27703
City Area Code	919
Local Phone Number	765-8400
Title of 12(b) Security	Common Stock $0.001 par value per share
Trading Symbol	ASXC
Security Exchange Name	NYSEAMER
Entity Well-known Seasoned Issuer	Yes
Entity Voluntary Filers	No
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes
Entity Interactive Data Current	Yes
Entity Filer Category	Non-accelerated Filer
Entity Small Business	true
Entity Emerging Growth Company	false
Entity Shell Company	false
Entity Public Float			$ 29,200,000
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		232,589,352