Document And Entity Information - shares	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2023	Apr. 30, 2023
Document Information [Line Items]
Document Type	10-Q
Document Quarterly Report	true
Document Period End Date	Mar. 31, 2023
Document Transition Report	false
Entity File Number	0-21419
Entity Registrant Name	BioCardia, Inc
Entity Incorporation, State or Country Code	DE
Entity Tax Identification Number	23-2753988
Entity Address, Address Line One	320 Soquel Way
Entity Address, City or Town	Sunnyvale
Entity Address, State or Province	CA
Entity Address, Postal Zip Code	94085
City Area Code	650
Local Phone Number	226-0120
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes
Entity Interactive Data Current	Yes
Entity Filer Category	Non-accelerated Filer
Entity Small Business	true
Entity Emerging Growth Company	false
Entity Shell Company	false
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding (in shares)		20,219,087
Entity Central Index Key	0000925741
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--12-31
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2023
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q1
Amendment Flag	false
Common Stock [Member]
Document Information [Line Items]
Title of 12(b) Security	Common Stock, par value $0.001
Trading Symbol	BCDA
Security Exchange Name	NASDAQ
Warrant [Member]
Document Information [Line Items]
Title of 12(b) Security	Warrant to Purchase Common Stock
Trading Symbol	BCDAW
Security Exchange Name	NASDAQ