Document And Entity Information - shares	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2019	Aug. 05, 2019
Document Information [Line Items]
Entity Registrant Name	BioCardia, Inc.
Entity Central Index Key	0000925741
Trading Symbol	bcda
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--12-31
Entity Filer Category	Non-accelerated Filer
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes
Entity Emerging Growth Company	false
Entity Small Business	true
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding (in shares)		4,847,471
Entity Shell Company	false
Document Type	10-Q
Document Period End Date	Jun. 30, 2019
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2019
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q2
Amendment Flag	false
Title of 12(b) Security	Common Stock