Document and Entity Information - shares	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2016	Nov. 02, 2016
Document and Entity Information [Abstract]
Entity Registrant Name	MRV COMMUNICATIONS INC
Entity Central Index Key	0000887969
Entity Filer Category	--12-31
Entity Filer Category	Accelerated Filer
Document Type	10-Q
Document Period End Date	Sep. 30, 2016
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2016
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q3
Amendment Flag	false
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding (shares)		6,808,442