Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)	3 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2017
Accounting Policies [Abstract]
Consolidation, Policy [Policy Text Block]	Principles of Consolidation The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company and its majority owned subsidiaries. All intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated.
Use of Estimates, Policy [Policy Text Block]	Use of Estimates The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements, and revenues and expenses during the period reported. Actual results could differ from those estimates. Estimates are used when accounting for stock-based compensation and financing transactions, uncollectible accounts receivable, asset impairment and amortization, and taxes, among others. The methods, estimates and judgments we use in applying these most critical accounting policies have a significant impact on the results of our financial statements.
Share-based Compensation, Option and Incentive Plans Policy [Policy Text Block]	Share-based Payments All share-based payments to employees, including grants of employee stock options, are recognized in the financial statements based on their fair values. For stock issued to consultants and other non-employees for services, we record the expense based on the fair market value of the securities as of the date of the stock issuance. The issuance of fully vested stock warrants or options to non-employees are valued at the time of issuance utilizing the Black Scholes calculation and the amount is charged to expense. The issuance of stock warrants or options to non-employees that vest over time are revalued each reporting period until vested to determine the amount to be recorded as an expense in the respective period. As the warrants or options vest, they are valued on each vesting date and an adjustment is recorded for the difference between the value already recorded and the then current value on the date of vesting.
Warrant Policy [Policy Text Block]	Warrants The Unit Offerings of our convertible promissory note and a Series A stock purchase warrant are accounted for under the fair value and relative fair value method. The warrant is first analyzed per its terms as to whether it has derivative features or not. If the warrant is determined to be a derivative, then it is measured at fair value using the Black Scholes Option Model, and recorded as a liability on the balance sheet. The warrant is measured again at its then current fair value at each subsequent reporting date (it is “marked-to-market”). If the warrant is determined to not have derivative features, it is recorded into equity at its fair value using the Black Scholes option model, however, limited to a relative fair value based upon the percentage of its fair value to the total fair value including the fair value of the convertible note. The convertible note is recorded at its fair value, limited to a relative fair value based upon the percentage of its fair value to the total fair value including the fair value of the warrant. Further, the convertible promissory note is examined for any intrinsic beneficial conversion feature (“BCF”) of which the convertible price of the note is less than the closing stock price on date of issuance. If the relative fair value method is used to value the convertible promissory note and there is an intrinsic BCF, a further analysis is undertaken of the BCF using an effective conversion price which assumes the conversion price is the relative fair value divided by the number of shares the convertible debt is converted into by its terms. The adjusted BCF value is accounted for as equity. The warrant and BCF fair values are also recorded as a discount to the convertible promissory notes. As present, these equity features of the convertible promissory notes have recorded a discount to the convertible notes that is substantially equal to the proceeds received.
Non Cash Transactions [Policy Text Block]	Non-Cash Transactions We have established a policy relative to the methodology to determine the value assigned to each intangible we acquire, and/or services or products received for non-cash consideration of our common stock. The value is based on the market price of our common stock issued as consideration, at the date of the agreement of each transaction or when the service is rendered or product is received.
Foreign Currency Transactions and Translations Policy [Policy Text Block]	Foreign Currency The Company has designated the functional currency of Biolargo Water, Inc., our Canadian subsidiary, to be the Canadian dollar. Therefore, translation gains and losses resulting from differences in exchange rates are recorded in accumulated other comprehensive income.
Revenue Recognition, Policy [Policy Text Block]	Revenue Recognition Revenues are recognized as risk and title to products transfers to the customer (which generally occurs at the time shipment is made), the sales price is fixed or determinable, and collectability is reasonably assured. We also may generate revenues from royalties and license fees from our intellectual property. In the event we do so, we anticipate a licensee would pay a license fee in one or more installments and ongoing royalties based on their sales of products incorporating or using our licensed intellectual property. We would recognize license fees over the estimated period of future benefit to the licensee.
Government Grants [Policy Text Block]	Government Grants We have been awarded grants from the Canadian National Research Institute – Industrial Research Assistance Program (NRC-IRAP) and the National Science and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC). The government grants received are considered other income and are included in our consolidated statements of operations. Some of the funds from these grants are given directly to third parties (such as the University of Alberta) to support research on our technology. The grants have terms generally ranging between six and eighteen months and support a majority, but not all, of the related research budget costs. The grants typically provide for either (i) recurring monthly amounts, (ii) reimbursement of payroll costs for researchers for which we invoice to request payment, or (iii) ancillary cost reimbursement for research projects, including travel related costs. All awarded grants have specific requirements on how the money is spent, typically to employ researchers. None of the funds may be used for general administrative expenses or overhead in the United States.
Earnings Per Share, Policy [Policy Text Block]	Earnings (Loss) Per Share We report basic and diluted earnings (loss) per share (“EPS”) for common and common share equivalents. Basic EPS is computed by dividing reported earnings by the weighted average shares outstanding. Diluted EPS is computed by adding to the weighted average shares the dilutive effect if stock options and warrants were exercised into common stock. For the three months ended March 31, 2016 and 2017, the denominator in the diluted EPS computation is the same as the denominator for basic EPS due to the anti-dilutive effect of the warrants and stock options on the Company’s net loss.
Concentration Risk, Credit Risk, Policy [Policy Text Block]	Concentrations of Credit Risk All highly liquid investments with original maturities of three months or less or money market accounts held at financial institutions are considered to be cash. Substantially all of the cash is placed with one financial institution. From time to time during the year the cash accounts are exposed to credit loss for amounts in excess of insured limits of $250,000 in the event of non-performance by the institution, however, it is not anticipated that there will be non-performance. At March 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016, the Company had cash balances in excess of federally insured limits in the amount of approximately $925,525 and $1,660,153, respectively.
Receivables, Trade and Other Accounts Receivable, Allowance for Doubtful Accounts, Policy [Policy Text Block]	Allowance for Uncollectible Receivables Management evaluates credit quality by evaluating the exposure to individual counterparties, and, where warranted, management also considers the credit rating or financial position, operating results and/or payment history of the counterparty. Management establishes an allowance for amounts for which collection is considered doubtful. Adjustments to previous assessments are recognized in income in the period in which they are determined. At March 31, 2017, the allowance for uncollected receivables was $15,000.
New Accounting Pronouncements, Policy [Policy Text Block]	Recent Accounting Pronouncements In April 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016 - 10, “Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606): Identifying Performance Obligations and Licensing”. The amendments in this Update affect the guidance in Accounting Standards Update 2014 - 09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606), which we are required to apply for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2017. Although management is still evaluating the potential impact of the adoption of this standard, its preliminary analysis is that the new guidelines currently will not substantially impact our revenue presentation. In March 2016, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update (ASU) No. 2016 - 09, “Improvements to Employee Share-Based Payment Accounting,” which simplifies several aspects of the accounting for share-based award transactions and adds two practical expedients for nonpublic entities. The new standards are effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2017. An entity that elects early adoption must adopt all the amendments in the same period. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of the pending adoption of the ASU on our consolidated financial statements. In February 2016, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update No. 2016 - 02, “Leases”. The new standard establishes a right-of-use (ROU) model that requires a lessee to record a ROU asset and a lease liability on the balance sheet for all leases with terms longer than 12 months. Leases will be classified as either finance or operating, with classification affecting the pattern of expense recognition in the income statement. The new standard is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2018, including interim periods within those fiscal years. A modified retrospective transition approach is required for lessees for capital and operating leases existing at, or entered into after the beginning of the earliest comparative period presented in the financial statements, with certain practical expedients available. Although management is still evaluating the potential impact of the adoption of this standard, its preliminary analysis is that the new guidelines currently will not substantially impact our revenue presentation.

Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2017

Consolidation, Policy [Policy Text Block]

Principles of Consolidation

The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company and its majority owned subsidiaries. All intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated.

Use of Estimates, Policy [Policy Text Block]

Use of Estimates

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements, and revenues and expenses during the period reported. Actual results could differ from those estimates. Estimates are used when accounting for stock-based compensation and financing transactions, uncollectible accounts receivable, asset impairment and amortization, and taxes, among others.

The methods, estimates and judgments we use in applying these most critical accounting policies have a significant impact on the results of our financial statements.

Share-based Compensation, Option and Incentive Plans Policy [Policy Text Block]

Share-based Payments

All share-based payments to employees, including grants of employee stock options, are recognized in the financial statements based on their fair values.

For stock issued to consultants and other non-employees for services, we record the expense based on the fair market value of the securities as of the date of the stock issuance. The issuance of fully vested stock warrants or options to non-employees are valued at the time of issuance utilizing the Black Scholes calculation and the amount is charged to expense. The issuance of stock warrants or options to non-employees that vest over time are revalued each reporting period until vested to determine the amount to be recorded as an expense in the respective period. As the warrants or options vest, they are valued on each vesting date and an adjustment is recorded for the difference between the value already recorded and the then current value on the date of vesting.

Warrant Policy [Policy Text Block]

Warrants

The Unit Offerings of our convertible promissory note and a Series A stock purchase warrant are accounted for under the fair value and relative fair value method.

The warrant is

first

analyzed per its terms as to whether it has derivative features or not. If the warrant is determined to be a derivative, then it is measured at fair value using the Black Scholes Option Model, and recorded as a liability on the balance sheet. The warrant is measured again at its then current fair value at each subsequent reporting date (it is “marked-to-market”).

If the warrant is determined to not have derivative features, it is recorded into equity at its fair value using the Black Scholes option model, however, limited to a relative fair value based upon the percentage of its fair value to the total fair value including the fair value of the convertible note.

The convertible note is recorded at its fair value, limited to a relative fair value based upon the percentage of its fair value to the total fair value including the fair value of the warrant. Further, the convertible promissory note is examined for any intrinsic beneficial conversion feature (“BCF”) of which the convertible price of the note is less than the closing stock price on date of issuance. If the relative fair value method is used to value the convertible promissory note and there is an intrinsic BCF, a further analysis is undertaken of the BCF using an effective conversion price which assumes the conversion price is the relative fair value divided by the number of shares the convertible debt is converted into by its terms. The adjusted BCF value is accounted for as equity.

The warrant and BCF fair values are also recorded as a discount to the convertible promissory notes. As present, these equity features of the convertible promissory notes have recorded a discount to the convertible notes that is substantially equal to the proceeds received.

Non Cash Transactions [Policy Text Block]

Non-Cash Transactions

We have established a policy relative to the methodology to determine the value assigned to each intangible we acquire, and/or services or products received for non-cash consideration of our common stock. The value is based on the market price of our common stock issued as consideration, at the date of the agreement of each transaction or when the service is rendered or product is received.

Foreign Currency Transactions and Translations Policy [Policy Text Block]

Foreign Currency

The Company has designated the functional currency of Biolargo Water, Inc., our Canadian subsidiary, to be the Canadian dollar. Therefore, translation gains and losses resulting from differences in exchange rates are recorded in accumulated other comprehensive income.

Revenue Recognition, Policy [Policy Text Block]

Revenue Recognition

Revenues are recognized as risk and title to products transfers to the customer (which generally occurs at the time shipment is made), the sales price is fixed or determinable, and collectability is reasonably assured. We also

may

generate revenues from royalties and license fees from our intellectual property. In the event we do so, we anticipate a licensee would pay a license fee in

one

or more installments and ongoing royalties based on their sales of products incorporating or using our licensed intellectual property. We would recognize license fees over the estimated period of future benefit to the licensee.

Government Grants [Policy Text Block]

Government Grants

We have been awarded grants from the Canadian National Research Institute – Industrial Research Assistance Program (NRC-IRAP) and the National Science and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC). The government grants received are considered other income and are included in our consolidated statements of operations. Some of the funds from these grants are given directly to

third

parties (such as the University of Alberta) to support research on our technology. The grants have terms generally ranging between

six

and

eighteen

months and support a majority, but not all, of the related research budget costs.

The grants typically provide for either (i) recurring monthly amounts, (ii) reimbursement of payroll costs for researchers for which we invoice to request payment, or (iii) ancillary cost reimbursement for research projects, including travel related costs. All awarded grants have specific requirements on how the money is spent, typically to employ researchers. None of the funds

may

be used for general administrative expenses or overhead in the United States.

Earnings Per Share, Policy [Policy Text Block]

Earnings (Loss) Per Share

We report basic and diluted earnings (loss) per share (“EPS”) for common and common share equivalents. Basic EPS is computed by dividing reported earnings by the weighted average shares outstanding. Diluted EPS is computed by adding to the weighted average shares the dilutive effect if stock options and warrants were exercised into common stock. For the

three

months ended

March

31,

2016

and

2017,

the denominator in the diluted EPS computation is the same as the denominator for basic EPS due to the anti-dilutive effect of the warrants and stock options on the Company’s net loss.

Concentration Risk, Credit Risk, Policy [Policy Text Block]

Concentrations of Credit Risk

All highly liquid investments with original maturities of

three

months or less or money market accounts held at financial institutions are considered to be cash. Substantially all of the cash is placed with

one

financial institution. From time to time during the year the cash accounts are exposed to credit loss for amounts in excess of insured limits of

$250,000

in the event of non-performance by the institution, however, it is not anticipated that there will be non-performance. At

March

31,

2017

and

December

31,

2016,

the Company had cash balances in excess of federally insured limits in the amount of approximately

$925,525

and

$1,660,153,

respectively.

Receivables, Trade and Other Accounts Receivable, Allowance for Doubtful Accounts, Policy [Policy Text Block]

Allowance for Uncollectible Receivables

Management evaluates credit quality by evaluating the exposure to individual counterparties, and, where warranted, management also considers the credit rating or financial position, operating results and/or payment history of the counterparty. Management establishes an allowance for amounts for which collection is considered doubtful. Adjustments to previous assessments are recognized in income in the period in which they are determined. At

March

31,

2017,

the allowance for uncollected receivables was

$15,000.

New Accounting Pronouncements, Policy [Policy Text Block]

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

April

2016,

the FASB issued ASU

2016

10,

“Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic

606):

Identifying Performance Obligations and Licensing”. The amendments in this Update affect the guidance in Accounting Standards Update

2014

09,

Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic

606),

which we are required to apply for annual periods beginning after

December

15,

2017.

Although management is still evaluating the potential impact of the adoption of this standard, its preliminary analysis is that the new guidelines currently will not substantially impact our revenue presentation.

March

2016,

the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update (ASU) No.

2016

09,

“Improvements to Employee Share-Based Payment Accounting,” which simplifies several aspects of the accounting for share-based award transactions and adds

two

practical expedients for nonpublic entities. The new standards are effective for annual periods beginning after

December

15,

2017.

An entity that elects early adoption must adopt all the amendments in the same period. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of the pending adoption of the ASU on our consolidated financial statements.

February

2016,

the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update No.

2016

02,

“Leases”. The new standard establishes a right-of-use (ROU) model that requires a lessee to record a ROU asset and a lease liability on the balance sheet for all leases with terms longer than

months. Leases will be classified as either finance or operating, with classification affecting the pattern of expense recognition in the income statement. The new standard is effective for fiscal years beginning after

December

15,

2018,

including interim periods within those fiscal years. A modified retrospective transition approach is required for lessees for capital and operating leases existing at, or entered into after the beginning of the earliest comparative period presented in the financial statements, with certain practical expedients available. Although management is still evaluating the potential impact of the adoption of this standard, its preliminary analysis is that the new guidelines currently will not substantially impact our revenue presentation.