Cover page - shares	6 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2020	Jan. 20, 2021
Document Information [Line Items]
Document Type	10-Q
Document Quarterly Report	true
Document Period End Date	Dec. 31, 2020
Document Transition Report	false
Entity File Number	1-367
Entity Registrant Name	STARRETT L S CO
Entity Incorporation, State or Country Code	MA
Entity Address, Address Line One	121 Crescent Street
Entity Address, City or Town	Athol
Entity Tax Identification Number	04-1866480
Entity Address, State or Province	MA
Entity Address, Postal Zip Code	01331-1915
City Area Code	978
Local Phone Number	249-3551
Title of 12(b) Security	Class A Common - $1.00 Per Share Par Value
Trading Symbol	SCX
Security Exchange Name	NYSE
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
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--06-30
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2021
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q2
Entity Central Index Key	0000093676
Amendment Flag	false
Class A
Document Information [Line Items]
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		6,449,298
Class B
Document Information [Line Items]
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		655,281