Document And Entity Information - USD ($) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2019	Mar. 12, 2020	Jun. 28, 2019
Document and Entity Information [Abstract]
Entity Registrant Name	ENERGY FOCUS, INC/DE
Entity Central Index Key	0000924168
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--12-31
Entity Filer Category	Non-accelerated Filer
Entity Emerging Growth Company	false
Entity Small Business	true
Document Type	10-K
Document Period End Date	Dec. 31, 2019
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2019
Document Fiscal Period Focus	FY
Amendment Flag	false
Entity Well-known Seasoned Issuer	No
Entity Voluntary Filers	No
Entity Shell Company	false
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		15,892,526
Entity Public Float			$ 5.0