Document and Entity Information (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014	Mar. 09, 2015	Jun. 30, 2014
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-K
Document Period End Date	Dec. 31, 2014
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2014
Document Fiscal Period Focus	FY
Amendment Flag	false
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		7,089,264
Entity Well-known Seasoned Issuer	No
Entity Voluntary Filers	No
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes
Entity Public Float			$ 111,708,379