Document and Entity Information	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2016 shares
Document And Entity Information [Abstract]
Document Type	10-Q
Amendment Flag	false
Document Period End Date	Jun. 30, 2016
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2016
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q2
Trading Symbol	CK0000889123
Entity Registrant Name	REDWOOD MORTGAGE INVESTORS VIII
Entity Central Index Key	0000889123
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--12-31
Entity Filer Category	Smaller Reporting Company
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding	0