Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)	12 Months Ended
Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)	Jun. 30, 2017
Accounting Policies [Abstract]
Consolidation, Policy [Policy Text Block]	Principles of consolidation : The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of The L. S. Starrett Company and its subsidiaries, all of which are wholly-owned. All significant intercompany items have been eliminated in consolidation.
Financial Instruments and Derivatives [Policy Text Block]	Financial instruments and derivatives : The Company’s financial instruments include cash, investments and debt and are valued using level 1 inputs. Investments are stated at cost which approximates fair market value. The carrying value of debt, which is at current market interest rates, also approximates its fair value. The Company’s U.K. subsidiary utilizes forward exchange contracts to reduce currency risk. The notional amount of contracts outstanding as of June 30, 2017 and June 30, 2016 amounted to $1.4 million and $0.9 million, respectively.
Receivables, Policy [Policy Text Block]	Accounts receivable : Accounts receivable consist of trade receivables from customers. The expense for bad debts amounted to $0.3, $0.3, and $0.2 million in fiscal 2017, 2016 and 2015, respectively. In establishing the allowance for doubtful accounts, management considers historical losses, the aging of receivables and existing economic conditions.
Inventory, Policy [Policy Text Block]	Inventories : Inventories are stated at the lower of cost or market. Substantially all United States inventories are valued using the last-in- first -out (“LIFO”) method. All non-U.S. subsidiaries use the first -in- first -out (“FIFO”) method or the average cost method. LIFO is not a permissible method of inventory costing for tax purposes outside the U.S.
Property, Plant and Equipment, Policy [Policy Text Block]	Property Plant and Equipment : The cost of buildings and equipment is depreciated using straight-line and accelerated methods over their estimated useful lives as follows: buildings and building improvements 10 to 50 years, machinery and equipment 3 to 12 years. Leases are capitalized under the criteria set forth in Accounting Standards Codification (ASC) 840, “Leases” which establishes the four criteria of a capital lease. At least one of the four following criteria must be met for a lease to be considered a capital lease: a transfer of ownership of the property to the lessee by the end of the lease term; a bargain purchase option; a lease term that is greater than or equal to 75 percent of the economic life of the leased property; present value of the future minimum lease payments equals or exceeds 90 percent of the fair market value of the leased property. If none of the aforementioned criteria are met, the lease will be treated as an operating lease. Property plant and equipment to be disposed of are reported at the lower of carrying amount or fair value less cost to sell. A gain or loss is recorded on individual fixed assets when retired or disposed of. Included in buildings and building improvements and machinery and equipment at June 30, 2017 and June 30, 2016 were $1.6 million and $2.9 million, respectively, of construction in progress. Repairs and maintenance of equipment are expensed as incurred. A decision to reduce saw manufacturing capacity was made in fiscal 2016 which required management to perform an impairment analysis. Consequently, the Company recorded an impairment loss of $4,114,000, which represents the excess of the carrying value of a building over its fair value. See also Impairment of Assets and Restructuring Costs (Note 9 to the Consolidated Financial Statements.)
Goodwill and Intangible Assets, Policy [Policy Text Block]	Intangible assets : Identifiable intangibles are recorded at cost and are amortized on a straight-line basis over a 5 - 15 year period. The estimated useful lives of the intangible assets subject to amortization are: 10 - 15 years for patents, 14 - 20 years for trademarks and trade names, 5 - 10 years for completed technology, 8 years for non-compete agreements, 8 - 16 years for customer relationships and 5 years for software development. The Company tests identifiable intangible assets for impairment whenever events or circumstances indicate they may be impaired. Goodwill : Goodwill represents costs in excess of fair values assigned to the underlying net assets of acquired businesses. Goodwill is not subject to amortization but is tested for impairment annually and at any time when events suggest impairment may have occurred. The Company annually tests the goodwill associated with the November 2011 acquisition of Bytewise in October. As of October 1, 2016, the Company performed an analysis of qualitative factors to determine whether it is more likely than not that the fair value of the Bytewise business is less than its carrying amount as a basis for determining whether it is necessary to perform a two -step goodwill impairment test. Based on the Company's analysis of qualitative factors, the Company determined that it was not necessary to perform a two -step goodwill impairment test.
Revenue Recognition, Policy [Policy Text Block]	Revenue recognition : Sales of merchandise and freight billed to customers are recognized when products have shipped, title and risk of loss has passed to the customer, no significant post-delivery obligations remain and collection of the resulting receivable is reasonably assured. Sales are presented net of provisions for cash discounts, returns, customer discounts (such as volume or trade discounts), and other sales related discounts. Cooperative advertising payments made to customers are included in selling, general and administrative expenses in the Consolidated Statements of Operations. While the Company does allow its customers the right to return in certain circumstances, revenue is not deferred, rather a reserve for sales returns is provided based on experience, which historically has not been significant.
Advertising Costs, Policy [Policy Text Block]	Advertising costs : The Company’s policy is to generally expense advertising costs as incurred, except catalogs costs, which are deferred until mailed. Advertising costs were expensed as follows: $5.2 million in fiscal 2017, $5.0 million in fiscal 2016 and $5.7 million in fiscal 2015 and are included in selling, general and administrative expenses.
Shipping and Handling Cost, Policy [Policy Text Block]	Freight costs : The cost of outbound freight and the cost for inbound freight included in material purchase costs are both included in cost of sales.
Standard Product Warranty, Policy [Policy Text Block]	Warranty expense : The Company’s warranty obligation is generally one year from shipment to the end user and is affected by product failure rates, material usage, and service delivery costs incurred in correcting a product failure. Historically, the Company has not incurred significant warranty expense and consequently its warranty reserves are not material.
Pension and Other Postretirement Plans, Policy [Policy Text Block]	Pension and Other Postretirement Benefits: The Company has two defined benefit pension plans, one for U.S. employees and another for U.K. employees. The Company also has defined contribution plans. The Company amended its Postretirement Medical Plan effective December 31, 2013, whereby the Company terminated eligibility for employees under the age of 65. On December 21, 2016, the Company amended the U.S. defined benefit pension plan to freeze benefit accruals effective December 31, 2016. Consequently, the Plan will be closed to new participants and current participants will no longer earn additional benefits after December 31, 2016. The Company sponsors funded U.S. and non-U.S. defined benefit pension plans covering the majority of our U.S. and U.K. employees. The Company also sponsors an unfunded postretirement benefit plan that provides health care benefits and life insurance coverage to eligible U.S. retirees. Under the Company’s current accounting method, both pension plans use fair value as the market-related value of plan assets and continue to recognize actuarial gains or losses within the corridor in other comprehensive income (loss) but instead of amortizing net actuarial gains or losses in excess of the corridor in future periods, such excess gains and losses, if any, are recognized in net periodic benefit cost as of the plan measurement date, which is the same as the fiscal year end of the Company (MTM adjustment). This method is a permitted option which results in immediate recognition of excess net actuarial gains and losses in net periodic benefit cost instead of in other comprehensive income (loss). Such immediate recognition in net periodic benefit cost increases the volatility of net periodic benefit cost. The MTM adjustments to net periodic benefit cost for 2017, 2016 and 2015 were $0.2 million, $17.8 million, and $1.3 million, respectively.
Income Tax, Policy [Policy Text Block]	Income taxes : Deferred tax expense results from differences in the timing of certain transactions for financial reporting and tax purposes. Deferred taxes have not been recorded on approximately $65 million of undistributed earnings of foreign subsidiaries as of June 30, 2017 and the related unrealized translation adjustments because such amounts are considered permanently invested. In addition, it is possible that remittance taxes, if any, would be reduced by U.S. foreign tax credits to the extent available. Valuation allowances are recognized if, based on the available evidence, it is more likely than not that some portion of the deferred tax assets will not be realized.
Research and Development Expense, Policy [Policy Text Block]	Research and development : Research and development costs are expensed, primarily in selling, general and administrative expenses, and were as follows: $1.9 million in fiscal 2017, $1.8 million in fiscal 2016, and $1.7 million in fiscal 2015 and are included in selling general and administrative expenses in the Consolidated Statements of Operations.
Earnings Per Share, Policy [Policy Text Block]	Earnings per share (EPS) : Basic EPS is computed by dividing earnings (loss) available to common shareholders by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding for the period. Diluted EPS reflects the potential dilution by securities that could share in the earnings. The Company had 32,674, 32,833, and 40,214, of potentially dilutive common shares in fiscal 2017, 2016 and 2015, respectively, resulting from shares issuable under its stock option plans. These additional shares are not used in the diluted EPS calculation in loss years.
Foreign Currency Transactions and Translations Policy [Policy Text Block]	Translation of foreign currencies : The financial statements of our foreign subsidiaries, where the local currency is the functional currency, are translated at exchange rates in effect on reporting dates, and income and expense items are translated at average rates or rates in effect on transaction dates as appropriate. The resulting foreign currency translation adjustments are charged or credited directly to the other comprehensive income (loss) as noted in the Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Loss). Net foreign currency gains (losses) are disclosed in Note 10.
Use of Estimates, Policy [Policy Text Block]	Use of accounting estimates : The preparation of the financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the U.S. requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of net sales and expenses during the reporting period. Judgments, assumptions and estimates are used for, but not limited to: the allowances for doubtful accounts receivable and returned goods; inventory allowances; income tax valuation allowances, uncertain tax positions and pension obligations. Amounts ultimately realized could differ from those estimates.
New Accounting Pronouncements, Policy [Policy Text Block]	Recent Accounting Pronouncements : In May 2014, the FASB issued a new standard related to “Revenue from Contracts with Customers” which amends the existing accounting standards for revenue recognition. The standard requires entities to recognize revenue when it transfers promised goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration the entity expects to be entitled to in exchange for those goods or services. This standard is applicable for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2017 and for interim periods within those years. Earlier application will be permitted only as of annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2016, including interim reporting periods within that reporting period. The Company expects to adopt this standard on a modified prospective basis for its fiscal year beginning July 1, 2018. The Company primarily sells goods and recognizes revenues at point of sale or delivery, which will not change under the new standard. The Company does not sell extended warranties to its customers and believes that the majority of its warranties are standard in nature, requiring no separate performance obligations and therefore expects little to no change in the accounting for its warranties under ASU 2014 - 09. The Company has reviewed a sample of customer contracts that the Company believes is representative of its significant revenue streams identified for the current fiscal year. The assessment of the impact on revenue and expenses based on these reviews to determine the impact to the Company’s results of operations and cash flows as a result of this guidance is ongoing. In July 2015, the FASB issued ASU No. 2015 - 11, "Inventory (Topic 330 ): Simplifying the Measurement of Inventory." Previous to the issuance of this ASU, ASC 330 required that an entity measure inventory at the lower of cost or market. ASU 2015 - 11 specifies that “market” is defined as “net realizable value,” or the estimated selling price in the ordinary course of business, less reasonably predictable costs of completion, disposal, and transportation. This ASU is effective for fiscal years, and for interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning after December 15, 2016. Application is to be applied prospectively with earlier application permitted as of the beginning of an interim or annual reporting period. The adoption of ASU No. 2015 - 11 is not expected to have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements. In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016 - 02, “Leases (Topic 842 )”. The ASU requires that organizations that lease assets recognize assets and liabilities on the balance sheet for the rights and obligations created by those leases. The ASU will affect the presentation of lease related expenses on the income statement and statement of cash flows and will increase the required disclosures related to leases. This ASU is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2018, including interim periods within those fiscal years, with early adoption permitted. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of ASU No. 2016 - 02 on its consolidated financial statements. It is expected that a key change upon adoption will be the balance sheet recognition of leased assets and liabilities and that any changes in income statement recognition will not be material. In October 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016 - 16, "Income Taxes (Topic 740 ): Intra-Entity Transfers of Assets Other Than Inventory," which is intended to improve the accounting for the income tax consequences of intra-entity transfers of assets other than inventory. This update removes the current exception in GAAP prohibiting entities from recognizing current and deferred income tax expenses or benefits related to transfer of assets, other than inventory, within the consolidated entity. The current exception to defer the recognition of any tax impact on the transfer of inventory within the consolidated entity until it is sold to a third party remains unaffected. The amendments in this update are effective for public entities for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2017. Early adoption is permitted. The adoption of ASU No. 2016 - 16 is not expected to have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements. . In January 2017, the FASB issued ASU No. 2017 - 01, "Business Combinations (Topic 805 ) - Clarifying the Definition of a Business," with the objective to assist entities with evaluating whether transactions should be accounted for as acquisitions (or disposals) of assets versus businesses. The amendments in ASU 2017 - 01 provide a screen to determine when a set of assets and activities is not a business. The screen requires that when substantially all of the fair value of the gross assets acquired (or disposed of) is concentrated in a single identifiable asset or a group of similar identifiable assets, the set is not a business. This screen is expected to reduce the number of transactions that need to be further evaluated. If the screen is not met, the amendments in ASU 2017 - 01 (i) require that to be considered a business, a set of assets and liabilities acquired must include, at a minimum, an input and a substantive process that together significantly contribute to the ability to create output; and (ii) remove the evaluation of whether a market participant could replace missing elements. The amendments in this ASU are effective for annual and interim periods beginning after December 15, 2017 and should be applied prospectively. Early adoption is permitted for transactions for which the acquisition date occurs before the issuance date of ASU 2017 - 01, only when the transaction has not been reported in financial statements that have been issued or made available for issuance. The adoption of ASU No. 2017 - 01 is not expected to have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements. In January 2017, the FASB issued ASU No. 2017 - 04, "Intangibles-Goodwill and Other (Topic 350 ): Simplifying the Test for Goodwill Impairment." Under the new guidance, if a reporting unit's carrying value amount exceeds its fair value, an entity will record an impairment charge based on that difference. The impairment charge will be limited to the amount of goodwill allocated to that reporting unit. The standard eliminates the requirement to calculate goodwill impairment using Step 2, which calculates any impairment charge by comparing the implied fair value of goodwill with its carrying amount. The standard does not change the guidance on completing Step 1 of the goodwill impairment test. The amendments in this ASU are effective for annual and interim periods beginning after December 15, 2019 and should be applied prospectively for annual and any interim goodwill impairment tests. Early adoption is permitted for entities for interim or annual goodwill impairment tests performed on testing dates after January 1, 2017. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of the update on our consolidated financial statements.