Document and Entity Information	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2013	Apr. 30, 2013
Document and Entity Information [Abstract]
Entity Registrant Name	MRV COMMUNICATIONS INC
Entity Central Index Key	0000887969
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--12-31
Entity Filer Category	Accelerated Filer
Document Type	10-Q
Document Period End Date	Mar. 31, 2013
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2013
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q1
Amendment Flag	false
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		7,595,184